The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 ensures that all revenue from the 911 Security Fee is exclusively dedicated to funding aviation security improvements and technology upgrades, ending any diversion of these funds by 2027.
Dale Strong
Representative
AL-5
The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 ensures that revenue from the 911 Security Fee is exclusively dedicated to enhancing aviation security. This legislation establishes dedicated funding streams, including the new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund, to upgrade screening technology and infrastructure. The Act mandates that these critical security fees are used solely for measures that directly improve the safety and security of the traveling public.
SAFEGUARDS Act to Lock $750 Million in Annual Passenger Fees for Airport Tech and Security Upgrades Starting 2027
If you’ve ever looked at your airline receipt and wondered where that 'September 11 Security Fee' actually goes, you’re not alone. The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 is designed to stop the government from using your security fees as a general slush fund. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the bill mandates that the first $500 million collected each year must go straight into the Aviation Security Capital Fund for infrastructure. The next $250 million is earmarked for a brand-new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund. By drawing a hard line around this $750 million, the bill ensures that the money you pay at checkout is actually spent on the scanners, baggage systems, and personnel meant to keep your flight safe.
Modernizing the Terminal
The most direct impact for the average traveler involves the new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology (ASCT) Fund. Under Section 3, this fund is dedicated specifically to the 'testing, procurement, deployment, and sustainment' of checkpoint tech. For a frequent flyer or a family hauling three kids through a terminal, this could mean the difference between a 10-year-old x-ray machine that requires you to take out every liquid and laptop, and newer, faster CT scanners that let you keep your bag packed. The bill explicitly requires the TSA to set fee levels high enough to hit these $500 million and $250 million targets, ensuring the pipeline for tech upgrades doesn't run dry when the federal budget gets tight.
Ending the Fee Diversion
There is a bit of 'inside baseball' in Section 2 that matters for your wallet. For years, a portion of these security fees has been diverted to pay down the national debt rather than actually securing planes. This bill expresses a clear 'Sense of Congress' that this practice should end by 2027. By requiring the TSA to prioritize the Capital and Technology funds, the legislation aims to restore the original 'user fee' logic: if you pay for security, you should get security. For airport workers and construction crews, this means a more predictable flow of grants for physical security improvements, like reinforced doors or upgraded perimeter fencing, which are funded through the restructured Capital Fund.
The Cost of Consistency
While the bill focuses on making sure the money is spent correctly, it also puts the TSA in charge of ensuring the math works out. Section 3 stipulates that the TSA Administrator 'shall' set the fee at a level that ensures at least $750 million is collected for these specific funds. For the traveler, this means the security fee on your ticket is unlikely to go down and could be adjusted to meet these mandatory funding floors. However, the trade-off is a more transparent system where the money is legally tethered to the checkpoint experience rather than disappearing into the broader federal ledger.