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H.R.5909
Title: To amend the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to prohibit advance notice to certain individuals, including security screeners, of covert testing of security screening procedures for the purpose of enhancing transportation security at airports, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] (introduced 4/24/2008)      Cosponsors (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2008 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
House Reports: 110-687
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SUMMARY AS OF:
6/18/2008--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 5, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Catching Operational Vulnerabilities by Ensuring Random Testing Act of 2008, or the COVERT Act of 2008 - Amends the Aviation and Transportation Security Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to make sure that advance notice of a covert test of a transportation security system is not provided to any individual (including any security screener) before completion of the test, except: (1) that such information may be provided to certain federal, state, and local government employees, officers, and contractors (including military personnel); and (2) an individual conducting such a test may disclose his or her status if a security screener or other non-covered employee identifies such tester as a potential threat.

Requires the head of each covert testing office to make sure that a covert testing person or group is accompanied by a cover team to monitor the test and confirm the identity of personnel involved. States, however, that a cover team is not required to be present during a test of the screening of persons or baggage at an aviation security checkpoint if the test: (1) is approved by the Federal Security Director for the airport; and (2) is administered under an aviation screening assessment program of the Department of Homeland Security.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to study and report to Congress on the impact of implementing covert testing procedures under this Act on the Department's efforts to improve transportation security.

MAJOR ACTIONS: lŠ°

4/24/2008 Introduced in House
6/5/2008 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 110-687.
6/18/2008 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
6/19/2008 Referred to Senate committee: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
ALL ACTIONS:
4/24/2008:
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
4/28/2008:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.
5/1/2008:
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
5/20/2008:
Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Discharged.
5/20/2008:
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
5/20/2008:
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
6/5/2008 1:44pm:
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 110-687.
6/5/2008 1:45pm:
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 431.
6/18/2008 11:25am:
Mr. Thompson (MS) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
6/18/2008 11:25am:
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5498-5502)
6/18/2008 11:25am:
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5909.
6/18/2008 11:50am:
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5498-5499)
6/18/2008 11:50am:
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
6/19/2008:
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
TITLE(S):  (italics indicate a title for a portion of a bill)
COSPONSOR(S):

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COMMITTEE(S):
RELATED BILL DETAILS:

AMENDMENT(S):

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