Your airport security fee now stays in aviation security, not general Treasury.

What it does

This bill dedicates aviation security fees (the 9/11 Security Fee paid by airline passengers) to aviation security spending rather than allowing them to be diverted to other federal purposes. It establishes two dedicated funds: the Aviation Security Capital Fund (receiving $500 million annually starting in 2028) and a new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (receiving $250 million annually), both funded from passenger fees and managed by the TSA. Ordinary travelers benefit by ensuring their security fees are spent on airport screening, baggage checks, and security technology rather than general government operations.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core function is to redirect existing passenger-paid security fees from general Treasury use into dedicated aviation security accounts, ensuring fee revenue aligns with its original purpose rather than serving as a general revenue source.

What the text implies

• The bill mandates TSA collect at least $500M + $250M annually ($750M floor) from the 9/11 Security Fee, effectively locking in a minimum fee level and preventing reduction of passenger charges even if security needs decline.
• By dedicating fees to specific funds rather than general appropriations, the bill removes these revenues from annual congressional budget negotiations, reducing legislative flexibility over aviation security spending priorities.
• The 2027 deadline for ending fee diversions (referenced in the Sense of Congress) may require identification and redirection of currently diverted 9/11 Security Fee revenue, potentially creating budget pressure elsewhere in federal operations.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

Airline passengers regain assurance that their security fees fund aviation security rather than general government operations, aligning fee use with its original stated purpose and strengthening accountability for how their money is spent. The dedicated funds ensure sustained investment in checkpoint technology and security infrastructure that directly protects travelers.

Who stands to gain

• aviation security technology vendors (checkpoint screening equipment manufacturers)
• TSA contractors and grant recipients for security infrastructure projects

Named in the bill

Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 9/11 Security Fee (section 44940, title 49 USC), Aviation Security Capital Fund (section 44923(h)), Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (section 44923(i))

Where it stands

6 cosponsors: 5 Republicans, 1 Democrats.

• May 12, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• May 12, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security”
• Jun 24, 2026 — Markup held in committee · Congress.gov: “Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held”
• Jun 24, 2026 — Reported out of committee · Congress.gov: “Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 3”
• Jul 13, 2026 — Passed the House · Congress.gov: “On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4389-4390)”
• Jul 13, 2026 — Floor vote scheduled · Congress.gov: “Mr. Garbarino moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

14 lobbying clients named this bill on 14 disclosure filings across 1 quarter, Jun 2026 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $3,555,301 in lobbying spend. A filing names 11 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 94% of bills with at least one filing.

Dale Strong, the sponsor, reported $659,420 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle. $4,500 of that came from 2 PACs tied to these lobbying clients.

• American Association of Airport Executives — $1,172,100 on 1 filing
• Airports Council International -- North America — $775,201 on 1 filing
• American Fed of Government Employees AFL-CIO — $390,000 on 1 filing
• Southwest Airlines — $360,000 on 1 filing
• Air Line Pilots Association — $266,000 on 1 filing

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 20, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.