SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026

Full Title:
SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026

Summary#

The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 changes how a passenger security charge (the 9/11 Security Fee) is used. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to deposit the first $500,000,000 collected from that fee each year into the Aviation Security Capital Fund. After that deposit, the next $250,000,000 collected each year must go into a new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (ASCT Fund). The TSA Administrator must set the fee to collect at least those amounts each year. Money in both funds is available to the TSA Administrator to make grants or enter into agreements to carry out the funds' purposes. The ASCT Fund is specifically for testing, buying, deploying, installing, and sustaining checkpoint security technology.

What it means for you#

  • Passenger fees commonly called the 9/11 Security Fee will be directed into two specific funds beginning in fiscal year 2027.
  • The funds are meant to pay for airport and checkpoint security investments, including screening technology.
  • TSA will have authority to grant or contract out money from these funds to support airport security projects.

Expenses#

  • The bill directs fixed annual deposits from the 9/11 Security Fee: $500,000,000 to the Aviation Security Capital Fund, then $250,000,000 to the ASCT Fund, beginning in fiscal year 2027 and each year after.
  • The text does not provide additional cost estimates, offset details, or broader budget effects. No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill's "Sense of Congress" states that the 9/11 Security Fee was intended to sustain aviation safety and security and that its revenue should be used only for activities that directly improve aviation security.
  • Supporters frame the change as restoring public trust by reserving fee proceeds for passenger and baggage screening, security technology upgrades, and support for security personnel.
  • The bill calls for ending diversion of these fee revenues to unrelated purposes no later than 2027.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.