H.R. 8151 — Expanding Private Airport Security Screening Act

This section revises the Screening Partnership Program (SPP)—which allows eligible airports to use private companies for passenger and property screening in lieu of federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners—by (1) authorizing airport operators to directly contract with qualified private screening companies from a TSA-maintained public list and notify TSA within 7 days, replacing the prior 60-day application and approval process; (2) requiring TSA to maintain and publicize a list of qualified companies that employ personnel meeting federal screening standards, demonstrate equivalent performance, and prioritize U.S. citizen ownership; (3) requiring airports to submit a transition plan within 30 days of notification; (4) mandating TSA oversight via federal supervisors and law enforcement at participating airports, plus covert testing and training support; (5) shielding airport operators from liability for negligence by private screeners or federal supervisors (except for the airport's own acts); and (6) requiring TSA's annual report to Congress comparing private and federal screener performance and costs by airport category, with online publication within 7 days.

This section amends Section 1947 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to require, for airport operators contracting with qualified private screening companies, a comparison of the contract cost and the estimated cost of providing passenger and property screening services with federal personnel.