Coast Guard Announces Delay to TWIC Reader Rule to May 2026

ILTA is pleased to share some exceptionally good news related to ILTA’s advocacy efforts on the TWIC reader rule. The Spring Regulatory Agenda was released including a notice that U.S. Coast Guard will be an proposing an additional (at least) 3-year delay in implementation of the TWIC rule. While this only announces the Coast Guard's plan for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, we understand that the proposal is out of the Coast Guard and under review with DHS now. The key excerpt is provided below:

"The Coast Guard would delay the effective date for the three categories of facilities by at least an additional 3 years (until May 8, 2026) or later depending on the outcome of the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) study and consideration of public comments."

ILTA plans to develop and submit comments supporting the delay and stressing the need to make a final determination on a full cost benefit analysis of all affected facilities. ILTA will also continue to monitor developments related to the RAND study, which we hope will be made public in coming weeks or months. ILTA will be developing comments supporting the Coast Guard in providing this additional three-year delay.

To learn more about this important topic, the Security Committee meeting with USCG to receive an update on the TWIC rule and ask questions. Captain Andy Meyers, USCG, will provide a briefing on Thursday, July 14, @ 11 AM ET. Please join us for an informative update.

For questions about the TWIC reader rule and ILTA advocacy, please contact Michael Stroud at Mstroud@ilta.org.