A bill proposed by a California Democrat takes aim at third-party airport security inspectors like Clear, citing the unfair advantage they give wealthy travelers.
Clear is a third-party provider that allows passengers to move to the front of the airport screening line. For $189 a year, the company verifies passengers’ identities and ushers them through security, allowing them to avoid TSA checkpoints.
The bill, the first of its kind in the county, was introduced in February by California State Senator Josh Newman.
It would require providers like Clear to hire their own TSA screeners through the federal government. Instead of allowing passengers to wait in line, the company would be required to create its own dedicated security lane.
The proposal passed the state Senate Transportation Committee by an 8-4 vote Tuesday. It must be approved by the full Senate and Assembly before reaching Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
A bill proposed by a California Democrat passed the state Senate Transportation Committee in an 8-4 vote. It aims to prevent passengers who pay for services like Clear from skipping the airport security line. .
The legislation, previously known as SB-1372, would require providers like Clear to hire their own TSA screeners through the federal government and create a dedicated inspection line.
The bill was introduced by Senator Josh Newman in February and aims to prevent Clear subscribers from being cut off from “general riders.”
Newman promoted the bill in a post on X, formerly Twitter, a day before the vote.
‘General passengers no longer have anyone standing in front of them, and CLEAR passengers can still fly through their dedicated security lane. It will accelerate security for everyone!’ he wrote.
Newman has claimed that other customers are often “left out” by Clear subscribers, who receive preferential treatment in the security line.
“Of course, California airports should be encouraged to find creative ways to increase revenue, but not at the expense of the public interest,” the Democrat wrote in an analysis of the bill.
In an interview with CBS MoneyWatchNewman described the removal of lines as a “matter of fairness.”
“Everyone is miserable about the travel experience, and if Clear walks a customer ahead of you and tells TSA, ‘Sorry, I have someone better,’ it’s really frustrating,” he said.
He clarified that the bill, formally known as SB-1372, does not seek to ‘punish’ Clear or ‘put her out of business.’
“You want to create a better flow of traffic so that customers don’t cross paths with the general public and cause the friction moment that is so frustrating for the average traveler,” Newman explained.
For $189 a year, Clear verifies passengers’ identities and guides them through security, allowing them to avoid TSA checkpoints.
The bill has garnered bipartisan support and is backed by local unions representing TSA officers, but has faced strong pushback from major airlines who fear the price of airfare will rise as a result.
Newman described the line cutting as a “fairness issue”, stating: “Everyone feels overwhelmed by the travel experience, and if Clear escorts a customer ahead of you… it’s really frustrating.”
SB-1372 garnered bipartisan support from Republican Senator Janet Nguyen, who represents the state’s 36th District.
It is endorsed by the Association of Flight Attendants (CWA) and the union representing Transportation Security Officers in Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose.
In a letter to Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Dave Cortese, AFA-CWA President Sara Nelson said the bill would “restore equal access and treatment at the airport security checkpoint.” .
James Murdock, president of a union chapter that represents TSA agents in Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose and Bakersfield, lashed out at the current system in his own letter.
“Clear is nothing more than the luxury resale of extra space in the airport security line, where those who pay can skip the line at the direct expense of all other travelers,” he wrote.
“While Clear may save its paying customers time, non-customers suffer from Clear’s aggressive sales tactics and longer security lines as they enter an essential security screening process.”
Six major airlines have spoken out against the legislation, saying it could lead to an increase in airline ticket prices. But Newman was adamant that the bill would improve the travel experience for most passengers.
“This is about dignity in the travel experience for people who don’t have the money to pay for additional services,” the senator told CBS. “If you have money, of course, but that business should not come at the expense of the average traveler.”
Newman remains adamant that the bill would improve the travel experience for all passengers and is not seeking to put Clear out of business.
Clear allows subscribers to bypass normal airport security using biometric technology such as a fingerprint or eye scan.
Clear, founded in 2010, allows subscribers to bypass normal airport security using biometric technology.
Subscribers can scan their boarding pass at a dedicated kiosk and confirm their identity by scanning their eyes or fingerprints. Once the verification process is complete, they are escorted through security screening.
An individual membership costs $189 per year, while a family membership costs $189 per year plus $99 per person.
“We are always working with our airline and airport partners, as well as local, state and federal governments to ensure all travelers have a safer and easier screening experience,” a Clear spokesperson said in a statement.
The service is used in more than 50 airports throughout the country. It has partnered with nine airports in California, as well as Delta, JetBlue, United and Alaska Airlines.