Security Policy Alert: Summary of TSA's July Conference Call for Airport Stakeholders

July 9, 2026

This afternoon, TSA held its monthly conference call for airport stakeholders. The conference call was led by Karin Glasgow, Industry Engagement Manager for Airlines in the office of Strategy, Policy & Engagement (formerly Policy, Plans and Engagement or PPE). The position of Industry Engagement Manager for Airports remains vacant.

Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program (LEORP)

Thanks in part to the powerful advocacy from airports and AAAE, the Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Program was funded for FY26 with a total budget of approximately $45 million. Because the program was not funded in FY24 or FY25, all airports will need to reapply as all prior agreements were closed out when funding lapsed in 2024.

TSA advertised the solicitation for applications on June 24, 2026, with a July 15, 2026, submission deadline. TSA recognizes that the open period is shorter than the usual 45 to 50 days; according to TSA, it is necessary given the short timeframe before the end of FY2026. (As a reminder, the final FY26 funding bill was not signed into law until early May.)

TSA stated on the call that applications will be considered after the deadline, and a waitlist will be generated to consider based on availability of funding. However, in the solicitation and in previous conversations with AAAE, TSA strongly encourages airports to meet the submission deadline because it is highly unlikely that funding will be available for late submissions.

TSA has posted a Q&A to the solicitation to provide additional information to stakeholders. The Q&A is Attachment 4 in the posting. TSA will continue to answer any questions submitted by airports to the e-mail LEORPApplications@tsa.dhs.gov. TSA did explain that the program office is currently staffed by one individual that is on temporary assignment and thanked airports for their patience.

For the application, airports only need to complete Attachment 2, which is the required data sheet and project narrative, along with any supporting documentation for the costs and project narrative outlines in Attachment 2. FSDs and AFSDs-LE can work with their airport operators to view the solicitation on SAM.gov (Solicitation# 70T01026TLEORP001) and apply via E-Mail: LEORPApplications@tsa.dhs.gov.

Once awarded, funding will carry over into FY27, reimbursing for services from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. Funding will not be retroactive to the beginning of FY26 (October 1, 2025). On the call, TSA referred to this as the period of performance or PoP.

AAAE asked about the status of the state and local canine reimbursement program, which also had its funding restored in FY26 due to strong advocacy from airports and AAAE. TSA did not have any information about the status of the canine reimbursement program on today’s call. TSA promised to inform AAAE and airports when a solicitation for applications for that program is posted on SAM.gov.

Trusted Traveler and Credentialing Update

As discussed on last month’s call, the recent TSA realignment has resulted in a name change for Enrollment Services and Vetting Programs (ESVP) to Trusted Traveler and Credentialing (TTC). TSA assured airports on the call that not much has changed besides the name. TSA TTC is still available to help with process reviews, provide guidance, and share best practices to assist airports. If airports have questions, please reach out to local Compliance office or e-mail aviation.worker@tsa.dhs.gov.

Public area badges: TSA TTC reminded airports that public area badge applicants must be submitted to TSA for Security Threat Assessment (STA) vetting. A cleared STA must be received prior to issuing an airport-issued ID media, in accordance with the Security Directive 1542-04-08 series.

In response to a question from AAAE, TSA did clarify that airport-issued ID media for the public area is optional. However, if an airport does issue ID media for the public area, badge holders must be submitted to TSA for vetting prior to airport ID media issuance. TSA went on to clarify that public area badge holders are not permitted to have a CHRC.

Airports on the call had several questions about public area badges, including the definition of public area; TSA took those questions off-line to discuss internally with their policy team. AAAE has offered to engage in further conversations with TSA on the issue as needed.

Reconciling badge data when changing IDMS providers: TTC reported seeing numerous examples across multiple airports where actively badged ID media holders were “dropped” from an airport’s badging system of record during a badging software change or identity management service (IDMS) provider change. This drop is generally noticed by the airport badging office upon a badge renewal, causing gaps in STA vetting coverage and leading to Compliance referrals. As a best practice, TSA recommends that airports immediately reconcile badge data when transitioning to new badging software or a new IDMS provider.

STAs being submitted for direct TSA employees: TTC recently encountered instances where TSA direct employees have been submitted for STAs. Airport badging offices should not submit TSA direct employees to TSA for vetting. In accordance with SD 1542-04-08 series and the Policy Clarification Notice for Vetting of Exempted Individuals, TSA employees, including Transportation Screening Officers (TSOs), are vetted by TSA through other means and should not be submitted for vetting by the airports.

Badges being issued without STA approval or a previous “Green Score”: TSA has noticed an increase in airport badges being set to active and being issued to airport workers before TSA has completed vetting the individual and has issued a green score. TSA reiterated that airports must not issue badges unless TSA has provided a green score on the STA. TSA stated that airports should always confirm a green/passing score for both the STA and the CHRC (if applicable) before activating and issuing a badge.

Aviation Worker Screening

TSA’s Office of Chief Counsel relayed that there was nothing new to report on aviation worker screening. TSA stated that work continues on developing a rulemaking in accordance with the August 22, 2025, ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit which directed TSA to initiate rulemaking procedures under the Administrative Procedures Act for the aviation worker screening requirements imposed on airport operators under an airport security program national amendment in 2023 (TSA-NA-23-02).

TSA must provide a status report on its progress every 60 days to the Court, which the agency has consistently done. TSA has informed that Court that the proposed rulemaking effort is one of the highest regulatory priorities in 2026.

Safe Skies

The National Safe Skies Alliance, better known as Safe Skies, is a non-profit organization that works with airports, government, and industry to maintain a safe and effective aviation security system. Since 1997, they have been a trusted resource for decision makers seeking impartial information on airport security technologies and procedures. Funding for Safe Skies programs (PARAS and ASSIST) is provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

PARAS reports are available for free download here, and are listed by report category here. Recent PARAS Reports include:

PARAS 0065 Synthesis of Security Practices for Airside Vehicle Operations
PARAS 0064 AI in Airport Security
PARAS 0063 Considerations for Full Employee Screening at Airports is under final review and will be published next week.

Recent ASSIST Reports on perimeter intrusion detection systems and aviation worker screening include:

Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems:

Hirsch G-Fence 2400-IP65 Fence-Mounted Intrusion Detection System – San Diego International Airport
Hirsch PIRAMID SDI-76 Microwave/Infrared Intrusion Detection Systems – San Diego International Airport
Hirsch MAXIRIS 3100 Active Infrared Barrier System – San Diego International Airport
CIAS MEMS Pro2 Perimeter Fence Detection System – Philadelphia International Airport
IQSIGHT Bosch DINION thermal 8100i Analytic Camera System – Boise Airport
FiberRanger FR302 Fence-Mounted Intrusion Detection System – Boise Airport
Senstar FiberPatrol® FP1150 Fence-Mounted Intrusion Detection System – Boise Airport

Aviation Worker Screening:

EIA HI-PE Plus Walk-Through Metal Detector – Tallahassee International Airport
Garrett Paragon Walk-Through Metal Detector – Tallahassee International Airport

A list of available reports can be found on the Safe Skies website here. ASSIST reports are available in the Safe Skies conference on HSIN and can be requested via email to anna.hamilton@sskies.org.

Next TSA Conference Call

The next TSA conference call for airport stakeholders is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET.