Legislative change to TWIC enrollment process

On Dec. 12, 2012, the United States Senate agreed to the United States House of Representatives amendment to Senate amendment by Voice Vote on amendments to H.R. 2838, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2012. This is the process for the final reconciliation of two versions of the bill. It will now go to the President for his signature. Among several significant provisions, the following section, if implemented, may make a substantial change to the TWIC enrollment process:

SEC. 709. TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION  CREDENTIAL PROCESS REFORM.

Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall reform the process for Transportation Worker Identification Credential enrollment, activation, issuance, and renewal to require, in total, not more than one in-person visit to a designated enrollment center except in cases in which there are extenuating circumstances, as determined by the Secretary, requiring more than one such in-person visit.