This bill would make most Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees subject to the personnel rules in title 5 of the United States Code. It would end TSA-specific personnel systems and repeal two statutory provisions that let the agency run its own personnel rules. The Secretary must set a conversion date no later than December 31, 2025, and chapters 71 and 77 of title 5 (collective bargaining and appeals) must apply to screening agents within 90 days after enactment. The bill preserves existing TSA pay systems until conversion, requires protections so converted employees do not suffer pay reductions, and directs Office of Personnel Management and payroll systems to create classifications and make technical changes. It also preserves certain pay and overtime rules for Federal air marshals, requires consultation with an exclusive representative for screening agents, sets national-level collective bargaining with possible local supplements by mutual consent, and orders multiple reviews and reports by the Comptroller General and the Administrator. The bill authorizes whatever funding is needed to carry out its provisions.
The bill text authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" to implement its provisions but does not provide a dollar cost or estimate. No publicly available information on total costs beyond that authorization is provided in the bill text.
The bill's text states that current TSA personnel systems provide insufficient benefits and protections for the workforce that secures transportation. Supporters say covered employees should receive the protections and benefits under title 5, and that doing so should not reduce pay or benefits for current employees. Provisions in the bill are presented to preserve pay, leave, and other rights during the transition and to improve workplace protections and oversight.
No publicly available information.