Establishment of the aviation security checkpoint technology fund

Section 44923 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by— (1) by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j); and (2) by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection (i): (i) Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology fund (1) In general There is established within the Department of Homeland Security a fund to be known as the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (in this subsection referred to as the ASCT Fund). (2) Funding Beginning in fiscal year 2026, and for each fiscal year thereafter, after the first $500,000,000 is deposited into the Aviation Security Capital Fund pursuant to subsection (h)(2), the next $250,000,000 from fees received under section 44940(a)(1) shall be available to be deposited in the ASCT Fund. The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall impose the fee authorized by section 44940(a)(1) so as to collect not less than $250,000,000 in each of such fiscal years for deposit into the ASCT Fund. Amounts in the ASCT Fund shall be available until expended to the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to fund the procurement, deployment, and sustainment of aviation security checkpoint and exit lane technology. (3) Grant authority (A) In general Amounts in the ASCT Fund shall be available to the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to make grants under this section. (B) Retroactive application of grant funds The Administrator may retroactively approve the use of grant funds under this subsection for projects to support the procurement, deployment, and sustainment of aviation security checkpoint and exit lane technology that were implemented on or after January 1, 2023..