Sponsors (8)
The bill increases transparency and provides guidance to help returning citizens access TWIC credentials and maritime jobs—potentially improving reentry outcomes—but it does not change underlying eligibility rules and leaves administrative delays and in-custody application barriers that may continue to block or postpone many applicants.
Returning citizens and other TWIC applicants will get clearer guidance, assistance to pre-apply/appeal, and the ability to prepare before release, improving access to port and maritime jobs and supporting employment that can reduce recidivism.
Congressional briefings and clarified descriptions of the TWIC program increase transparency and oversight, giving federal, state, and local policymakers better information to target reforms and monitor TSA implementation.
TSA data noting that roughly 98% of applicants are ultimately issued credentials provides reassurance that waiver/appeal processes frequently succeed for eligible applicants, lowering perceived risk of systemic failure.
Guidance and briefings alone may not overcome statutory eligibility rules and security exclusions, so many returning citizens could still be barred from obtaining TWIC despite new instructions.
Administrative barriers — including lengthy appeal/waiver timelines (up to 90 days) and a high nonresponse rate to redress notices — can delay or prevent applicants from getting credentials and starting maritime jobs.
People in custody cannot apply for TWIC until after release, preventing true pre-release credentialing and limiting timely reentry into port/maritime employment.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires TSA to issue guidance within one year to help people in custody pre-apply for TWICs and to assist with appeals and waivers, and to brief Congress on improvements.
Official title: To require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to develop certain guidelines to improve access to the Transportation Worker Identification Credential program.
Introduced September 3, 2025 by Troy Carter · Last progress September 16, 2026
Requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to create and issue guidelines within one year to help people in federal, state, or local custody pre-apply for or prepare Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) applications and to assist those pursuing appeals or waivers of preliminary ineligibility determinations. TSA must also brief Congress within one year on improvements to TWIC access for people reentering the workforce.