NTTC Announces Support of Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act

The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC), the leading trade association representing the North American tank truck industry, announces its support for H.R. 5840, better known as the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act.

The harmonization of duplicative and redundant background checks in the United States is amongst the association’s Tier 1 legislative and regulatory priorities, emphasizing the urgent need to address the issue facing America’s tank truck industry. NTTC members have voiced concerns for years that security programs such as Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME), although critical to maintain national security, should be streamlined to reduce cost and processing time burdens on truck drivers.

H.R. 5840 will allow an individual to enroll in more than one Transportation Security Administration (TSA) threat assessment program at the same time for one fee, and will permit a credentialed individual to undergo a streamlined renewal process. To help with credential streamlining, the bill aligns the expiration dates for those participating in multiple simultaneous TSA security threat assessment programs.

“NTTC is fully supportive of the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, a common sense solution to address time and financial burdens for credentialing tank truck drivers,” said Will Lusk, Director of Education and Government Relations at NTTC. “On behalf of America’s tank truck carriers and fleets, the association is grateful for the leadership of Representatives Graves, Smith, Titus, Green, Carbajal, and Guest for spearheading H.R. 5840. At a time where truck driver shortages are affecting the deliveries of vital commodities, this bill provides much needed relief that will ultimately benefit the American public at large.”

###

A MESSAGE TO CARRIERS/FLEETS OPERATING IN LOUISIANA, WASHINGTON, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, CALIFORNIA, NEVADA

One of NTTC’s highest Strategic Legislative & Regulatory Priorities this year is to seek harmonization of security credential background checks on drivers. The good news is that Congress is listening, and bill H.R. 5840 was introduced a couple weeks ago. Also known as the Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act, the bill requires TSA to streamline the enrollment processes for individuals applying for a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment for certain programs, including the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment programs. This is a bipartisan, common sense bill sponsored by Rep. Graves (R-LA-6) and cosponsored by Reps. Smith (D-WA-9), Titus (D-NV-1), Green (R-TN-7), Carbajal (D-CA-24), and Guest (R-MS-3). Bill text can be found BY CLICKING HERE.

Your company has operations in one of the 6 states represented by a bill cosponsor. These 6 cosponsors need state-specific quotes of support. These statements of support don’t need to be long and thorough. A simple “Thank you Congressman (NAME) for your support of H.R. 5840. (COMPANY NAME) operates tank trucks within your district, and this legislation will help improve the efficiency of getting more drivers behind the wheel to deliver fuels, chemicals, foods, and other essential bulk commodities. Streamlining credentialing processes will help ensure enough drivers to meet the growing demand for these products by the American consumer. Thank you for backing this common sense legislation to support the American economy.” Feel free to add more detail, especially if you have encountered significant issues with HME and TWIC processing delays.

The press points of contacts for these 6 cosponsors are as follows:

1. [email protected] and [email protected] – Rep. Graves (R-LOUISIANA-6)
2. [email protected] – Rep. Smith (D-WASHINGTON-9)
3. [email protected] – Rep. Green (R-TENNESSEE-7)
4. [email protected] – Rep. Guest (R-MISSISSIPPI-3)
5. [email protected] – Rep. Carbajal  (D-CALIFORNIA-24)
6. [email protected] – Rep. Titus (D-NEVADA=1)

Please contact NTTC's Will Lusk at [email protected] if you have any questions. Thank you for your support to ensure success for this longtime NTTC priority!