To combat terrorism.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Title I: Aviation Security
Title II: Antiterrorism
Aviation Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1996 - Title I: Aviation Security - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to: (1) facilitate the interim deployment of commercially available explosive detection devices that will significantly enhance aviation security; (2) require that an employment investigation, including a criminal history record check in specified cases, be conducted for individuals who will be responsible for screening passengers or property and their supervisors; and (3) provide for the periodic audit of criminal history record checks.
Requires employment standards for air carrier and airport security personnel to include performance standards for airport and airline security personnel, including counter personnel, and guidelines for encouraging the retention of security personnel responsible for passengers and cargo.
Direct the FAA, the Secretary of Transportation, the intelligence community, and the law enforcement community to continue to assist air carriers in developing computer-assisted passenger profiling programs.
(Sec. 106) Permits the use of airport improvement project grant funds and passenger facility fees to expand and enhance air transportation security programs and other activities at airports to ensure the safety and security of passengers and others involved in air travel.
(Sec. 107) Requires the Administrator to review: (1) FAA oversight of inspections of shipments of mail and cargo by domestic and foreign air carriers; (2) the need for additional security measures with respect to such inspections; and (3) the adequacy of inspection and screening of cargo on passenger air carriers. Directs the President to submit relevant legislative proposals to the Congress.
Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assure that FBI agents assigned to an area where there are high- risk airports carry out periodic threat and vulnerability assessments of security at least every three years at such airports.
Requires the operator of each major airport to use dogs or other appropriate animals to supplement existing equipment used for screening passengers and cargo for plastic explosives and other devices or materials which may be used in aircraft piracy, subject to specified limitations.
Directs the Administrator to initiate a rulemaking to revise Federal regulations regarding airplanes having fewer than 61 passenger seats to enhance safety and security of travel in such planes.
(Sec. 110) Replaces a provision permitting grants to continue the program to detect explosives at airports and on aircraft with provisions directing the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for expenses of training and evaluation of dogs for the explosive detection K-9 team training program and extending such program to the largest 50 airports in the United States within 180 days of the enactment of the Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1996. Authorizes appropriations.
(Sec. 112) Establishes the Civil Aviation Security Review Commission to conduct a comprehensive review of aviation security. Authorizes appropriations.
Title II: Antiterrorism - Adds specified terrorist offenses as predicate offenses under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.
(Sec. 202) Enhances penalties for unlawfully disclosing specified material under the civil and criminal remedy provisions of the Privacy Act and under wiretap provisions of the Federal criminal code.
(Sec. 203) Urges the President to commence diplomatic efforts to establish a multilateral sanctions regime against nations certified under the Export Administration Act of 1979 as having repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.
Requires the President to provide to: (1) the Congress an action plan for inducing such nations to cease their support for such acts; and (2) the House and Senate intelligence committees a report on the capability of the U.S intelligence community to detect, assess, and eliminate international terrorist activities.
(Sec. 204) Directs: (1) the Secretary of State to designate, before October 1, 1996, foreign terrorist organizations pursuant to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996; (2) the Secretary of the Treasury, if possible, as justified by the evidence, and consistent with the needs of law enforcement and intelligence, to freeze assets; and (3) the Attorney General to initiate the removal of known alien terrorists and criminals.
(Sec. 205) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Justice to: (1) contract for an independent study of the feasibility, safety, and law enforcement effectiveness of including taggants in black and smokeless powder; and (2) submit to the Congress recommendations for legislation for the addition of taggants to black and smokeless powder manufactured in or imported into the United States if specified conditions are met.
(Sec. 206) Establishes the National Commission on Terrorism.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 508 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3953. Upon adoption of this resolution, it shall be in order at any time on the calendar day of Friday, August 2, 1996, for the Speaker to entertain a motion offered by the majority leader or his designee that the House suspend the rules and pass a bill or joint resolution relating to the subject of combating terrorism.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Rule H. Res. 508 passed House.
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 508, the House proceeded with consideration of H.R. 3953 under suspension of the rules.
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Mr. Cox moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9886-9896)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 389 - 22 (Roll no. 401).
Roll Call #401 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 389 - 22 (Roll no. 401).
Roll Call #401 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3953.
Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 571.