HR5109FEDERALin_committee

H.R. 5109: Improving Access to Transportation Worker Identification Credentials for Returning Citizens

Original title: To require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States to develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, and to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility, and for other purposes.

September 3, 2025

transportation security criminal justice reform employment maritime security reentry

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Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently in_committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Last action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.Sep 4, 2025

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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The Frame

What this does

The bill aims to shorten the time it takes for formerly incarcerated individuals to obtain the credentials required for maritime and port-related jobs, potentially increasing employment opportunities upon release.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Incarcerated individuals

The bill creates a pathway for these individuals to begin the TWIC application process while still in custody.

Transportation Security Administration

The agency is mandated to develop new guidelines and provide a briefing to Congress.

Maritime and port employers

These employers may see a change in the availability of credentialed workers in the labor pool.

What changed

Current stage: in_committee.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Summary

This bill directs the TSA to create guidelines that help incarcerated individuals apply for Transportation Worker Identification Credential () cards before they are released from prison. It also requires the TSA to provide better support for individuals navigating the appeals and process for TWIC eligibility.

Key Facts

The TSA must develop guidelines to assist incarcerated individuals in pre-applying for TWIC cards within one year of the bill's enactment.
The TSA must develop guidelines to assist individuals in requesting appeals or waivers for TWIC ineligibility within one year of the bill's enactment.
The TSA is required to provide a briefing to Congress on these improvements within one year of enactment.
Currently, individuals in custody are ineligible to apply for a TWIC card until after their release.
The current appeal and waiver process for TWIC eligibility can take up to 90 days.
Approximately 98 percent of total TWIC applicants are eventually issued a card.
The bill requires the Clerk of the House to transmit the Act to several Congressional committees and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a TWIC card?

A Transportation Worker Identification Credential () is a card issued to workers who require unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels.

Does this bill guarantee a TWIC card for everyone?

No. The bill directs the TSA to create guidelines to improve the application and appeal process, but it does not change the underlying security requirements for obtaining a card.

When will these changes take effect?

The TSA is required to develop the guidelines and brief Congress within one year of the bill being signed into law.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift100% confidence

Pre-release credentialing

The bill represents a shift toward allowing federal security background checks to begin while an individual is still incarcerated, rather than waiting for post-release.

Transportation Security Administration

Connected Entities

organizationTransportation Security Administration“The agency responsible for developing the new guidelines.”Map →

personMr. Higgins of Louisiana“Co-sponsor of the bill.”Map →

personMr. Carter of Louisiana“Primary sponsor of the bill.”Map →

organizationUnited States Coast Guard“Joint administrator of the TWIC program.”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy20
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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