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H.R. 5131 115th Congress House

Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018

Official title: To improve the effectiveness of Federal efforts to identify and address homeland security risks to surface transportation, secure against vehicle-based attacks… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To improve the effectiveness of Federal efforts to identify and address homeland security risks to surface transportation, secure against vehicle-based attacks, and conduct a feasibility assessment of introducing new security technologies and measures, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 27, 2018 Introduced by: Bonnie Watson Coleman Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
Transportation and Public Works Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvanced technology and technological innovationsChemical and biological weaponsComputer security and identity theft
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Congressional oversightDepartment of Homeland SecurityFirearms and explosivesForeign and international corporationsGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsIntelligence activities, surveillance, classified informationMotor carriersMotor vehiclesNuclear weaponsPerformance measurementPublic transitPublic-private cooperationRailroadsRight of privacyRoads and highwaysSmall businessTechnology assessmentTerrorismTransportation employeesTransportation programs fundingTransportation safety and security
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 14 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 22, 2018
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Mar 22, 2018
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 22, 2018
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 5 (Roll no. 126).
Mar 22, 2018
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1768-1769)
Mar 19, 2018
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Mar 19, 2018
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5131.
Mar 19, 2018
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1669-1671; text: CR H1669-1670)
Mar 19, 2018
Mr. Bacon moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 19, 2018
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 458.
Mar 19, 2018
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-602.
Mar 7, 2018
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
Mar 7, 2018
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 27, 2018
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Feb 27, 2018
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Mar 22, 2018 House · vote #126 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 409–5 See who voted →
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 Latest action March 22, 2018

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018

(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must evaluate the extent to which the 2016 Biennial National Strategy for Transportation Security is reflected in federal transportation security programs.

(Sec. 4) This bill establishes programs and reporting requirements to identify risks to facilities, equipment, or systems used to provide public transportation (surface transportation assets). It requires the Department of Homeland Security to:

  • develop risk-based priorities informed by an analysis of terrorist and cyber attack scenarios,
  • submit to Congress a feasibility assessment of employing new technologies to enhance surface transportation security,
  • disseminate best practices to protect against the threat of a vehicle-based terrorist attack, and
  • report on threats to transportation security posed by the use of security technologies by foreign countries.

(Sec. 9) The bill authorizes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a task force to identify and develop an innovative technology to enhance transportation security. The TSA must also submit to Congress and the GAO a strategy to guide operations of surface transportation security inspectors.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 4474 Surface Transportation and Public Area Security Act of 2017
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Feb 27, 2018
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5131: Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5131/
MLA
"H.R. 5131: Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5131/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5131, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5131/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5131: Surface Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2018](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-5131/)
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