[House Report 112-468]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
112th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 112-468
======================================================================
DISPOSITION OF UNCLAIMED MONEY AND CLOTHING RECOVERED AT AIRPORT
SECURITY CHECKPOINTS
_______
May 8, 2012.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. King of New York, from the Committee on Homeland Security,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 2179]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred
the bill (H.R. 2179) to amend title 49, United States Code, to
direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security
(Transportation Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed
money recovered at airport security checkpoints to United
Service Organizations, Incorporated, and for other purposes,
having considered the same, report favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 2
Background and Need for Legislation.............................. 2
Hearings......................................................... 3
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Committee Votes.................................................. 3
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 3
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures 4
Congressional Budget Office Estimate............................. 4
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 6
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits....................................................... 6
Federal Mandates Statement....................................... 6
Preemption Clarification......................................... 6
Advisory Committee Statement..................................... 6
Applicability to Legislative Branch.............................. 6
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation................... 7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 7
Additional Views................................................. 10
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. DISPOSITION OF UNCLAIMED MONEY AND CLOTHING RECOVERED AT
AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS.
(a) In General.--Section 44945 of title 49, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 44945. Disposition of unclaimed money and clothing
``(a) Unclaimed Money.--Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31,
unclaimed money recovered at any airport security checkpoint shall be
annually transferred, without further appropriation, by the Assistant
Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration)
to United Service Organizations, Incorporated, to provide funding for
the activities of United Service Organizations, Incorporated, in
support of USO airport centers.
``(b) Unclaimed Clothing.--
``(1) In general.--In disposing of unclaimed clothing
recovered at any airport security checkpoint, the Assistant
Secretary shall make every reasonable effort, in consultation
with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to transfer the
clothing to local veterans organizations or other local
charitable organizations for distribution to homeless or needy
veterans and veteran families.
``(2) Agreements.--In implementing paragraph (1), the
Assistant Secretary may enter into agreements with airport
authorities.
``(3) Other charitable arrangements.--Nothing in this
subsection shall prevent an airport or the Transportation
Security Administration from donating unclaimed clothing to a
charitable organization of their choosing.
``(4) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall create a
cost to the Government.
``(c) Annual Report.--The Assistant Secretary shall submit, on an
annual basis, to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate a report that contains a detailed
description of--
``(1) the amount of unclaimed money described in subsection
(a) recovered in total and at each individual airport; and
``(2) the amount of unclaimed money described in subsection
(a) transferred to United Service Organizations, Incorporated,
under this section and the dates of such transfers.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The item relating to such section in the
table of sections at the beginning of chapter 449 of such title is
amended to read as follows:
``44945. Disposition of unclaimed money and clothing.''.
(c) Repeal.--Section 515(b) of the Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act, 2005 (118 Stat. 1318; 49 U.S.C. 44945 note) is
repealed.
Purpose and Summary
The purpose of H.R. 2179 is to amend title 49, United
States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland
Security (Transportation Security Administration) to transfer
unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to
United Service Organizations, Incorporated, and for other
purposes.
Background and Need for Legislation
This bill directs the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) to transfer unclaimed money recovered at
airport security checkpoints to United Service Organizations,
Inc. (USO) for use in support of its airport centers. The
legislation will support the continued efforts of the USO by
providing funds to create a welcoming and comfortable
atmosphere at airports for our dedicated military personnel and
their families. In addition, this bill also directs TSA to
provide clothing assistance to homeless or needy veterans with
unclaimed clothing recovered at airport security checkpoints.
The Committee recognizes that TSA is currently responsible
for collecting the monies left at checkpoints and that there is
an expense associated with the collection and processing of
those monies. The Committee encourages TSA and the USO to work
out a process that works best for both entities for such
collection and processing.
The requirement to transfer unclaimed monies recovered at
airport checkpoints to the USO applies to existing balances of
such monies. At the time of the Committee's filing of this
report, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that $1.2
million currently remains unspent at TSA from unclaimed money
recovered at airport security checkpoints. The total existing
balance upon the date of enactment of this Act should be
transferred to the USO.
Hearings
No hearings were held on H.R. 2179.
Committee Consideration
The Subcommittee on Transportation Security met on March 7,
2012, to consider H.R. 2179, and ordered the measure reported
to the Full Committee with a favorable recommendation, without
amendment, by voice vote.
The Committee met on March 28, 2012, to consider H.R. 2179,
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation, amended, by voice vote.
The Committee adopted H.R. 2179, as amended, by voice vote.
The following amendments were offered:
LAn Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute was offered
by Mr. Rogers (#1); was AGREED TO, by voice vote.
LAn amendment to the Amendment in the Nature of a
Substitute offered by Ms. Hochul (#1A); was AGREED TO, by voice
vote.
Page 1, line 1, insert after ``Unclaimed Money'' the following: ``And
Clothing''.
Page 1, line 5, insert after ``unclaimed money'' the following: ``and
clothing''.
Page 1, line 6, strike ``In General.--'' and insert ``Unclaimed
Money.--''.
Page 1, after line 13, insert a new subparagraph entitled ``(b)
Unclaimed Clothing.
Page 1, line 14, strike ``(b)'' and insert ``(c)''.
Page 2, after line 9, insert a new subsection entitled ``(b) Clerical
Amendment.''
Committee Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded
votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments
thereto.
No recorded votes were requested during consideration of
H.R.2179.
Committee Oversight Findings
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee has held oversight
hearings and made findings that are reflected in this report.
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures
In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R.
2179 would result in no new or increased budget authority,
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures or revenues.
Congressional Budget Office Estimate
The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, April 12, 2012.
Hon. Peter T. King,
Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2179, a bill to
amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant
Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security
Administration) to transfer unclaimed money recovered at
airport security checkpoints to United Service Organizations,
Incorporated, and for other purposes.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Megan
Carroll.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf.
Enclosure.
H.R. 2179--A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the
Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation
Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed money recovered
at airport security checkpoints to United Service
Organizations, Incorporated, and for other purposes
Summary: According to the Transportation Security
Administration (TSA), airline passengers have left behind
roughly $400,000 in unclaimed money at airport security
checkpoints in each of the past two fiscal years. H.R. 2179
would amend current law to require TSA to transfer such
unclaimed funds to a nonprofit organization that provides
assistance to military personnel.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 2179 would increase net
direct spending by about $1 million in 2013; therefore, pay-as-
you-go procedures apply. We also estimate that that near-term
increase in direct spending would be fully offset by a
corresponding reduction in direct spending in later years,
resulting in no significant net change over time. Enacting H.R.
2179 would not affect revenues or spending subject to
appropriation.
H.R. 2179 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 2179 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 400
(transportation).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2013-2017 2013-2022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN DIRECT SPENDING
Estimated Budget Authority........................ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Estimated Outlays................................. 1 * * * * * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: * = between $500,000 and -$500,000.
Basis of estimate: Under current law, TSA has authority to
retain and spend unclaimed money left at security checkpoints
by air passengers, without appropriation, for activities
related to aviation security. H.R. 2179 would amend current law
to require TSA to transfer such unclaimed funds to United
Service Organizations, Incorporated (USO), a nonprofit
organization that provides assistance to military personnel.
Based on historical spending patterns, CBO expects that,
under current law, TSA would spend unclaimed checkpoint money
gradually over the next several years. Therefore, requiring the
agency to transfer amounts to USO would accelerate outlays.
Because the amount of money involved is modest, CBO does not
expect this change would have a significant net impact on the
budget with regard to checkpoint money collected in future
years.
For purposes of this estimate, however, CBO assumes that
the requirement to transfer unclaimed checkpoint money would
apply to existing balances of such funds, which totaled
approximately $1.2 million at the start of fiscal year 2012.
Relative to current law, we estimate that transferring those
funds to USO would increase net direct spending by about $1
million in 2013. We also estimate that the near-term increase
would be fully offset over the next several years by lower
outlays for aviation security, resulting in no significant net
change in direct spending over the next 10 years.
Pay-As-You-Go Considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or
revenues. The net changes in outlays that are subject to those
pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in the following table.
CBO ESTIMATE OF PAY-AS-YOU-GO EFFECTS FOR H.R. 2179, AS ORDERED REPORTED BY THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY ON MARCH 28, 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2012-2017 2012-2022
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE OR DECREASE (-) IN THE DEFICIT
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Impact............ 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intergovernmental and Private-sector impact: H.R. 2179
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or
tribal governments.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Megan Carroll; Impact
on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: J'nell L. Blanco;
Impact on the Private Sector: Paige Piper/Bach.
Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, H.R. 2179 contains the following
general performance goals, and objectives, including outcome
related goals and objectives authorized.
H.R. 2179 provides additional funds to the USO for its
activities in support of USO airport centers by requiring the
TSA to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport
checkpoints to the USO. The TSA is also required to consult
with the Department of Veterans Affairs to transfer unclaimed
clothing to local veterans organizations or other local
charitable organizations for distribution to homeless or needy
veterans and their families.
The Committee acknowledges that many airports throughout
the country have existing agreements with local organizations
to donate clothing and other items left behind at security
checkpoints. H.R. 2179 preserves the ability of airports to
donate clothing to any organizations.
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff
Benefits
In compliance with rule XXI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the rule
XXI.
Federal Mandates Statement
The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act.
Preemption Clarification
In compliance with section 423 of the Congressional Budget
Act of 1974, requiring the report of any Committee on a bill or
joint resolution to include a statement on the extent to which
the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt State,
local, or Tribal law, the Committee finds that H.R. 2179 does
not preempt any State, local, or Tribal law.
Advisory Committee Statement
No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b)
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this
legislation.
Applicability to Legislative Branch
The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public
services or accommodations within the meaning of section
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation
Section 1. Disposition of unclaimed money and clothing recovered at
airport security checkpoints
Section 44945 of title 49, U.S. Code is amended as follows:
Unclaimed Money
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Assistant
Secretary is directed to annually transfer unclaimed money
recovered at any airport security checkpoint to United Service
Organizations (USO), Incorporated, to provide funding for its
activities in support of USO airport centers.
Unclaimed Clothing
The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs, is required to transfer unclaimed clothing
recovered at any airport checkpoint to local veterans
organizations or other local charitable organizations for
distribution to homeless or needy veterans and their families.
This section does not preclude the TSA from donating unclaimed
clothing to additional charitable organizations. Nothing in
this subsection will create a cost to the Government.
Annual Report
The Assistant Secretary is required to submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on
Appropriations of the House and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Appropriations
of the Senate an annual report that includes a detailed
description of the amount of unclaimed money recovered at each
individual airport and the amount of unclaimed money
transferred to the USO and the dates of the transfers.
Clerical Amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 449 is
amended to read as follows: ``44954. Disposition of unclaimed
money and clothing.''.
Repeal
Section 515(b) of the Department of Homeland Security
Appropriations Act, 2005 is repealed.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
TITLE 49, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
SUBTITLE VII--AVIATION PROGRAMS
* * * * * * *
PART A--AIR COMMERCE AND SAFETY
* * * * * * *
SUBPART III--SAFETY
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 449--SECURITY
SUBCHAPTER I--REQUIREMENTS
Sec.
44901. Screening passengers and property.
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
* * * * * * *
[44945. Disposition of unclaimed money.]
44945. Disposition of unclaimed money and clothing.
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
* * * * * * *
[Sec. 44945. Disposition of unclaimed money
[Notwithstanding section 3302 of title 31, unclaimed money
recovered at any airport security checkpoint shall be retained
by the Transportation Security Administration and shall remain
available until expended for the purpose of providing civil
aviation security as required in this chapter.]
Sec. 44945. Disposition of unclaimed money and clothing
(a) Unclaimed Money.--Notwithstanding section 3302 of title
31, unclaimed money recovered at any airport security
checkpoint shall be annually transferred, without further
appropriation, by the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security
(Transportation Security Administration) to United Service
Organizations, Incorporated, to provide funding for the
activities of United Service Organizations, Incorporated, in
support of USO airport centers.
(b) Unclaimed Clothing.--
(1) In general.--In disposing of unclaimed clothing
recovered at any airport security checkpoint, the
Assistant Secretary shall make every reasonable effort,
in consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs,
to transfer the clothing to local veterans
organizations or other local charitable organizations
for distribution to homeless or needy veterans and
veteran families.
(2) Agreements.--In implementing paragraph (1), the
Assistant Secretary may enter into agreements with
airport authorities.
(3) Other charitable arrangements.--Nothing in this
subsection shall prevent an airport or the
Transportation Security Administration from donating
unclaimed clothing to a charitable organization of
their choosing.
(4) Limitation.--Nothing in this subsection shall
create a cost to the Government.
(c) Annual Report.--The Assistant Secretary shall submit, on
an annual basis, to the Committee on Homeland Security and the
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a report that
contains a detailed description of--
(1) the amount of unclaimed money described in
subsection (a) recovered in total and at each
individual airport; and
(2) the amount of unclaimed money described in
subsection (a) transferred to United Service
Organizations, Incorporated, under this section and the
dates of such transfers.
* * * * * * *
----------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005
* * * * * * *
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 515. (a) * * *
[(b) Annual Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of this Act and annually thereafter, the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives; the
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation of the
Senate; and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, a
report that contains a detailed description of the amount of
unclaimed money recovered in total and at each individual
airport, and specifically how the unclaimed money is being used
to provide civil aviation security.]
* * * * * * *
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
As a Member of Congress, there is no greater honor than
serving those who serve our country in uniform. In that spirit,
I was honored earlier this year when I had the privilege of
seeing off nearly 75 soldiers from the New York Army National
Guard Special Troops Battalion as they mobilized for a possible
overseas deployment.
We ask so much of our brave men and women who leave their
homes and families behind to defend our freedom. That is why I
joined this Committee in advancing H.R. 2179. The unclaimed
currency directed to the United Service Organizations by this
legislation will help ensure that every service member and
military family member travelling through an American airport
is treated with the respect they deserve.
I was also proud to work with this Committee to amend this
bill to cover clothing left at airport security checkpoints. My
amendment, which was drafted with bipartisan cooperation, would
require the TSA to make every reasonable effort to transfer
unclaimed clothing to local veterans organizations and other
local charitable organizations for distribution to homeless or
needy veterans and their families. This would be done in
consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, which
already hosts ``Stand Down'' events across the country that
provide clothing and other goods and services to homeless
veterans.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs,
approximately 75,000 veterans are homeless on any given night,
and over 20,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
have been homeless within the last five years. This is a
national tragedy. We must end veteran homelessness and, until
we do, we must do everything we can to provide for homeless
veterans and their families.
I thank Chairman King, Ranking Member Thompson, Chairman
Rogers, Ranking Member Jackson Lee, and the Chairman of the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Jeff Miller, for their
leadership on this issue and look forward to working with them
and this Committee to advance this important legislation and
pass it into law.
Kathleen C. Hochul.