Coast Guard NMSAC Teleconference on Development of TWIC Biometric Reader Proposed Rule
The Coast Guard has issued a notice announcing that the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) will be holding an open meeting by teleconference from 1-4:00 p.m. EST on September 20, 2007 to discuss NMSAC's comments, recommendations, and responses to a questionnaire designed to inform the development of a preliminary draft of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Biometric Reader Requirements proposed rule.
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TWIC is being developed by the Transportation Security Administration to ensure that all personnel requiring unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)-regulated facilities and vessels, and all mariners holding Coast Guard-issued credentials, possess a biometric TWIC card by September 25, 2008. TWIC will be a tamper-resistant "Smart Card" containing a fingerprint template, among other things.
On January 25, 2007, TSA and the Coast Guard issued a joint final rule regarding TWIC in which the requirement for biometric TWIC readers was moved to a future rulemaking. (See ITT's Online Archives or 02/16/07 news, 07021615, for Part II of a multi-part BP summary of the joint final rule. See ITT's Online Archives or 08/22/06 news, 06082220, for BP summary stating that TSA/CG would not require purchase/installation of biometric card readers in first phase of TWIC.)
DHS has previously stated that NMSAC advises, consults with, and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters related to national maritime security including issues such as: (1) deterring/minimizing damage from maritime transportation security incidents; (2) meeting current and future security threats to ports, vessels, facilities, waterways, and critical infrastructure; (3) international cooperation and multilateral solutions to maritime security issues; etc.
-written material, requests to make oral presentations, and requests to have written material distributed to each member of the committee are due by September 13, 2007
-those wishing to attend must supply names, etc. by 4:00 pm on September 14, 2007
Coast Guard contact - Commander Mark Hammond (202) 372-1107
Coast Guard notice (D/N USCG-2007-29141, FR Pub 09/06/07) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/pdf/07-4354.pdf