BILL REQ. #:  S-4292.1 

Read first time 01/17/2006.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to creating an international airport expedited security screening task force; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that efficient, expedited security screening in international airports in Washington state is important to both our economy and the security of our airports. As a trade-dependent state with an economy and culture that often requires extensive travel from its citizens, efficient and effective air travel plays a vital role in creating opportunities and growing the economy. Additionally, a more efficient security screening system will improve the traveling public's safety by allowing security agents to focus screening efforts on unknown travelers. As a result, an evaluation of whether Washington should participate in a federal program to expedite airport security screening processes will aid the decision makers in this state to develop a more efficient and effective security screening policy.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The international airport expedited security screening task force is established.
     (2) The task force is composed of the following members:
     (a) A representative of the airline industry;
     (b) A representative of the port of Seattle;
     (c) A representative of the Washington/Inland division of the American automobile association;
     (d) The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development or the director's designee; and
     (e) A representative from the Seattle/King county convention and visitors bureau.
     (3) The task force shall convene by July 1, 2006. Upon convening, the task force shall select a chair to preside over task force meetings and a vice chair to preside in the chair's absence.
     (4) Staff to the task force must be provided by the department of community, trade, and economic development. Upon request by the task force, any state agency must provide information within the scope of the task force's work.
     (5) Members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The international airport expedited security screening task force shall, upon convening, examine the findings and recommendations of the United States transportation security administration's registered traveler pilot program and any and all other information that may be pertinent to expediting security screening at international airports in Washington state. The task force shall report its findings to the port of Seattle and the transportation committees of the legislature by December 1, 2006.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The international airport expedited security screening task force and its powers and duties terminate June 30, 2007.