S.1483 - TSA Commuting Fairness Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1483, the TSA Commuting Fairness Act, directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator to conduct a feasibility study on treating the time TSA employees spend commuting between regular duty locations and airport parking/transit stops as on-duty hours. The study would assess the time spent commuting at different airport sizes, potential benefits to employees and the Administration, the feasibility of using technology to track arrival/departure times, and the estimated costs of treating this time as on-duty hours for pay and retirement purposes.
The bill requires the TSA Administrator to submit the study to relevant committees in both the House and Senate within 270 days of the Act's enactment. The goal is to alleviate commuting burdens on TSA employees.
The bill does not directly allocate funds or change existing laws but sets the stage for potential future policy changes based on the study's findings.
Expected Effects
The immediate effect of this bill, if enacted, would be the initiation of a feasibility study by the TSA. This study would analyze the implications of compensating TSA employees for their commuting time between duty locations and parking/transit facilities.
Depending on the study's outcome and subsequent legislative action, TSA employees could potentially receive compensation for their commuting time in the future. This could lead to increased job satisfaction and potentially improved employee retention within the TSA.
Potential Benefits
- Potential for increased employee morale and job satisfaction: Compensating employees for commuting time could be viewed as a significant benefit, boosting morale.
- Possible improvement in employee retention: Reducing the burden of commuting costs and time could encourage employees to stay with the TSA.
- Data-driven decision making: The feasibility study will provide valuable data for informed policy decisions regarding TSA employee compensation.
- Consideration of technology solutions: The study will explore the use of mobile phones and location data to streamline time reporting.
- Addresses a specific concern of TSA employees: The bill directly responds to concerns about the burdens of commuting for TSA personnel.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased costs to the TSA: Treating commuting time as on-duty hours could significantly increase personnel costs.
- Complexity in implementation: Determining and tracking commuting time accurately could present logistical challenges.
- Uncertainty of actual implementation: The bill only mandates a study; there's no guarantee that the recommendations will be implemented.
- Potential for inequitable application: The benefits may disproportionately affect employees at larger airports with longer commute distances.
- Risk of setting a precedent: Other federal agencies might seek similar commuting benefits, further increasing government expenses.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the general welfare clause of the US Constitution, as it aims to improve the working conditions and morale of TSA employees, potentially leading to better service and security. The bill itself does not violate any specific constitutional provision.
Congress's authority to legislate on matters related to federal employees and national security is well-established. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States, which implicitly includes the ability to manage and compensate federal employees involved in security operations.
However, the actual implementation of any compensation changes resulting from the study would need to be carefully considered to ensure compliance with equal protection principles and avoid any discriminatory practices.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).