Sponsors (8)
The bill increases guidance, oversight, and pre-application assistance to help returning citizens access TWIC and maritime jobs, but it does not change core eligibility rules and leaves administrative barriers and modest agency costs that may continue to block many applicants.
Returning citizens and formerly incarcerated people would get clearer guidance and ability to pre-apply and appeal TWIC ineligibility, helping them obtain maritime credentials and access port/maritime jobs more quickly after release.
Federal and state policymakers and stakeholders receive clearer information and an official briefing on TWIC access and program scope, improving oversight and enabling targeted reforms or policy responses.
Data noting that roughly 98% of TWIC applicants are ultimately issued credentials provides reassurance that appeal and waiver processes yield approvals for most eligible applicants.
Security-based eligibility rules and exclusions mean many people with prior convictions (including some immigrants) may still be barred from TWIC despite rehabilitation; guidance alone will not change those underlying rules.
Administrative and procedural barriers — including lengthy appeal/waiver timelines (up to 90 days), a high nonresponse rate to redress requests (~62%), and the inability of people in custody to apply pre-release — can delay or prevent eligible applicants from receiving TWIC and starting maritime work.
TSA will incur administrative costs to prepare guidance and brief Congress, which could modestly divert agency resources from other security activities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires TSA to issue guidance within one year to help people in custody pre-apply and seek appeals/waivers for TWIC credentials and to brief Congress on access improvements.
Official title: To require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration of the United States to develop guidelines to improve returning citizens' access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program, to assist individuals in custody of Federal, State, and local prisons in pre-applying or preparing applications for Transportation Worker Identification Credential cards, and to assist individuals requesting an appeal or waiver of preliminary determination of ineligibility, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 3, 2025 by Troy Carter · Last progress September 3, 2025
Requires TSA to create and publish guidelines within one year to help people leaving federal, state, or local custody apply for or prepare Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) and to assist with appeals or waivers of preliminary ineligibility determinations. TSA must also brief Congress within one year on steps taken to improve returning citizens’ access to the TWIC program.