109th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 4373

To ensure the safety of passengers aboard aircraft that also carries cargo.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 17, 2005

Mr. MARKEY (for himself and Mr. SHAYS) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security

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A BILL

To ensure the safety of passengers aboard aircraft that also carries cargo.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Safe Skies Cargo Inspection Act'.

SEC. 2. INSPECTION OF CARGO CARRIED ABOARD PASSENGER AIRCRAFT.

Section 44901 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by redesignating subsections `(g)' and `(h)' as subsections `(h)' and `(i)', respectively; and

(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following:

`(g) Air Cargo on Passenger Aircraft-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a system to inspect all cargo transported on passenger aircraft to ensure the security of all passenger aircraft carrying cargo operated by an air carrier or foreign air carrier in air transportation or intrastate air transportation.

`(2) MINIMUM STANDARDS- The system referred to in paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, require that--

`(A) equipment, technology, and personnel meets the same standards established to inspect passenger baggage;

`(B) one-third of cargo carried on passenger aircraft is inspected before Thanksgiving Day of the first year after the date of enactment of this subsection;

`(C) two-thirds of cargo carried on passenger aircraft is inspected before Thanksgiving Day of the second year after the date of enactment of this subsection; and

`(D) all cargo carried on passenger aircraft is inspected before Thanksgiving Day of the third year after the date of enactment of this subsection.'.

END