S. 2378: Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection an… (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act of 2025, or SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025, focuses on enhancing the security of the aviation system in the United States. Here are the main points of what the bill would do:

Purpose of the Bill

The bill intends to amend existing laws related to aviation security fees and funding for improved technologies and security measures within the aviation sector.

Use of Aviation Security Fees

The Act emphasizes that the 9/11 Security Fee, which is a fee paid by airline passengers, should be exclusively used to:

Enhance safety and security within commercial aviation.
Fund security activities and programs, including passenger and baggage screening.
Support personnel responsible for aviation security.

The bill states that revenues from this fee should not be diverted for unrelated purposes, and that such diversions of funds should cease by 2027.

Creation of Funds for Aviation Security

The bill establishes two main funds within the Department of Homeland Security:

Aviation Security Capital Fund

This fund will receive the first $250 million from the 9/11 Security Fee collected each year until 2025.
From fiscal year 2026 onward, this amount increases to $500 million annually.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will have the authority to make grants from this fund to enhance security measures in aviation.

Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund

This fund will be created to specifically support the procurement and upkeep of aviation security technologies.
Beginning in fiscal year 2026, after the initial deposits to the Aviation Security Capital Fund, the next $250 million from the 9/11 Security Fee will go into this fund.
The TSA can use the amounts from this fund to deploy security checkpoint technology and can retroactively approve grants for projects initiated as early as January 1, 2023.

Overall Objective

The overall aim of this bill is to reinforce the safety and security protocols involving air travel by ensuring that designated security fees are directed towards improving aviation security systems and technologies.