49 U.S.C. § 44904 — Domestic air transportation system security

(a) Assessing Threats. TSA and the Director of the FBI must jointly assess current and possible threats to the domestic air transportation system, including how many people have the ability and intent to commit terrorist or related unlawful acts against it, and how they might do so. TSA and the Director must jointly decide on and carry out the best way to continuously analyze and monitor these threats. (b) Assessing Security. Working with the Director, TSA must periodically assess threats and vulnerabilities at each airport in the domestic air transportation system, considering (1) whether checked baggage and cargo handling procedures are adequate; (2) whether there is enough space for security personnel and equipment; (3) how well screened and unscreened passengers, baggage, and cargo are kept separate; (4) how well controlled and uncontrolled airport areas are kept separate; and (5) how well TSA, the Customs Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, air carriers, and other law enforcement coordinate their security work. (c) Modal Security Plan for Aviation. Beyond what subparagraphs (B) through (F) of section 114(s)(3) already require, the aviation modal security plan prepared under section 114(s) must (1) set up a plan for limiting damage and recovering the aviation system after a terrorist attack, and (2) include a document listing each threat to U.S. civil aviation and the security layers in place against it. (d) Operational Criteria. TSA must issue operating rules to protect airport infrastructure and operations against the threats identified in the plans made under section 114(s)(1), and must approve best-practice guidelines for airport property. (e) Improving Security. TSA must take the actions needed to improve domestic air transportation security by fixing any weaknesses found through the assessments, analysis, and monitoring done under this section.