AIRFARE Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The AIRFARE Act requires the Transportation Security Administration to establish, within 180 days, a domestic-airport system that expedites gate passes and flight-access procedures for people accompanying minors or passengers needing assistance. Air carriers may offer up to two gate passes to caregivers, parents, and guardians accompanying a minor or a passenger needing assistance to a departing flight. Existing TSA PreCheck privileges can be applied to the gate passes through Known Traveler Numbers and must be noted similarly to a ticket. When the passenger needing assistance uses a wheelchair, the caregiver gate pass is limited to the individual pushing the wheelchair. The bill defines caregivers, minors, and passengers needing assistance, so the operational change is targeted at family and mobility-support situations rather than general terminal access.
Who Benefits and How
Parents accompanying minors benefit because air carriers may issue expedited gate passes for up to two accompanying adults. Passengers needing assistance benefit because a caregiver can accompany them through airport access procedures to the departing flight. Wheelchair users benefit when the person pushing the wheelchair can receive a gate pass under the TSA system. TSA PreCheck users benefit because existing Known Traveler Numbers can carry over to eligible gate passes.
Who Bears the Burden and How
TSA checkpoint staff must implement the expedited gate-pass and flight-access system within 180 days. Air carrier gate agents must process gate passes and reflect TSA PreCheck status when applicable. Airport security managers must coordinate terminal-access procedures for non-ticketed caregivers and guardians. Caregivers pushing wheelchairs must satisfy the bill's limitation when seeking a gate pass for wheelchair assistance.
Key Provisions
- Requires TSA to establish an expedited domestic-airport gate-pass system within 180 days.
- Authorizes air carriers to offer up to two gate passes for caregivers, parents, and guardians.
- Provides use of TSA PreCheck privileges through Known Traveler Numbers on eligible gate passes.
- Limits wheelchair-assistance gate passes to the caregiver pushing the wheelchair.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires TSA to create an expedited domestic-airport gate-pass system allowing up to two caregivers, parents, or guardians to accompany minors or passengers needing assistance.
Key Policy Areas
Aviation, Disability Access, Consumer Travel
Primary Purpose
Requires TSA to create an expedited domestic-airport gate-pass system allowing up to two caregivers, parents, or guardians to accompany minors or passengers needing assistance.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- Parents accompanying minors
- Passengers needing assistance
- Wheelchair users
- TSA PreCheck users
Identified Costs
- TSA checkpoint staff
- Air carrier gate agents
- Airport security managers
- Caregivers pushing wheelchairs
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Mr. Steube introduced the following bill; which was referred to …
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Passengers needing assistance, Wheelchair users
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology