U.S. Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho has joined a bipartisan group of senators in supporting the Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety (SAFEGUARDS) Act. The legislation aims to ensure that money collected from airline passengers through the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee is used exclusively for aviation security purposes.
“Passenger security fees should be used as intended—to fund aviation security activities,” said Crapo. “Years of diverting these funds have hampered TSA’s ability to implement modernized screening technologies, particularly at checkpoints with high passenger volumes.”
Currently, airline passengers pay $5.60 per one-way ticket to support aviation security measures. However, since 2014, more than $13 billion from these fees have been redirected to other uses unrelated to airport safety. The SAFEGUARDS Act seeks to stop this practice and direct the funds back into airport security improvements.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for screening millions of travelers and their luggage each day across 2,400 security lanes at 420 airports nationwide.
Under the proposed bill, $500 million in annual revenue from the Passenger Security Fee would be allocated specifically for checked bag explosive detection systems. An additional $250 million each year would be dedicated to upgrading checkpoint technology, including enhancements at exit lanes.
Idaho’s six major commercial airports—Boise Airport (BOI), Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA), Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN), Pocatello Regional Airport (PIH), Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport (LWS), and Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF)—all have TSA screening checkpoints.
The full text of the legislation is available online.
