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TSA Bill Passes House
This article was in Thursday’s (April 14th, 2016) Herald and News
Written by: Holly Dillemuth, H&N Staff Reporter
Klamath Falls is a step closer to the return of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screenings for commercial air service after a U.S. House bill unanimously passed on Wednesday.
The bill, if it becomes law, would help return TSA screening services to Klamath Falls. The legislation in effect clears a path to return commercial air service to Klamath Falls after a nearly two-year absence.
The bill is the Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act and would require the TSA to restore screening services to any airport that lost service after Jan. 1, 2013 and that has a commitment from a commercial airline to resume service within one year. Klamath Falls is one of at least six airports nationwide that fits into both categories.
PenAir commitment
Peninsula Airways, known as PenAir, has continually committed to offering commercial flights from Klamath Falls to Portland from Crater Lake-Klamath Regional Airport.
“The people of Klamath County deserve safe, reliable air service. That’s why unanimous approval of our plan is excellent news for Oregonians living in and around Klamath, our local economy and tourism, and the Oregon National Guard operating out of Kingsley Field,” said U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River, in a news release.
“The TSA Fairness Act will help make sure the TSA is not able to stonewall an agreement between the local community and a commercial air carrier who wants to resume flights at a small airport. I’m proud of the bipartisan support this bill has received in the House, and will continue to work with the Oregon delegation to get this across the finish line in the Senate,” Walden said.
“Let’s be safe and secure. Let’s be smart and prudent. Let’s pass this legislation and allow our communities to have the air service they need, and our country to have the security that we demand. This is common-sense legislation that needs to become law. Together we’re going to do the right thing even when the TSA will not.”
Alternate service
TSA had offered Klamath Falls an alternative service by way of reverse screening that would have allowed unscreened passengers from Klamath Falls to fly to Portland for traditional screening services.
Walden introduced the legislation along with Oregon Rep. Peter DeFazio. The bill is also cosponsored by Reps. Will Hurd (R-Tex.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Blake Farenthold (R-Tex.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), and Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.).
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have introduced identical legislation in the U.S. Senate, but a timeline is not certain, according to Walden’s office.
The Senate Commerce Committee has approved inclusion of the bill in aviation legislation that is pending, according to the news release.
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