In March 27, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the Federal Register's publication of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking entitled "Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) — Reader Requirements." This advance proposed rulemaking discusses the federal government's preliminary issues on potential requirements for owners and operators of certain vessels and facilities regulated by the Coast Guard under 33 CFR Chapter I, subchapter H, for use of electronic readers designed to work with Transportation Worker Identification Credentials as an access control measure.
The notice also indicates additional potential requirements associated with Transportation Worker Identification Credential readers, such as recordkeeping requirements for those owners or operators required to use an electronic reader, and amendments to security plans previously approved by the Coast Guard to incorporate Transportation Worker Identification Credential requirements.
The potential requirements seek to enhance the security of ports and vessels by ensuring that only persons who hold valid Transportation Worker Identification Credentials are granted unescorted access to secure areas on vessels and port facilities. The advance proposed rulemaking also is a step toward full implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 transportation security card requirement, as well as the requirements of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006, for regulations on electronic readers for use with Transportation Worker Identification Credentials.
A public meeting will be held for this advance notice of proposed rulemaking; details on the date and location will be published in a subsequent Federal Register notice.
The Coast Guard encourages the public to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2007-28915. All comments received will be posted without change.