California bill could change how third-party airport security vendors operate at state airports

A California bill could prohibit third-party airport security vendors from operating in state airports unless they utilize their own security lanes.

The bill, formally known as SB 1372, would prohibit vendors like Clear Secure from using standard security or the Transportation Security Administration PreCheck security lanes for their expedited services.

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Frequent filers with a Clear membership can skip airports’ security lines entirely. An annual membership costs $189.

Vendors would be required to use their own dedicated security lane or lose the ability to operate in California airports beginning in 2025, according to the bill’s text.

The bill was introduced by Sen. Josh Newman, a Democrat representing portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties. The bill has also received backing from lawmakers across the aisle.

“When it comes to making one’s way through airport security, the quality of that experience shouldn’t be contingent on a traveler’s income or willingness to pay. And yet, in many of California’s airports, travelers who choose not to participate in the CLEAR concierge screening service are subject to the indignity of being shunted aside to make way for those who do. This is inequitable, especially in light of the fact that it’s their tax dollars which fund airport security services in the first place,” Senator Newman said in a statement to KTLA.

“SB 1372 doesn’t seek to terminate the CLEAR concierge service at airports; instead, it seeks to have CLEAR and other third-party screening services operate separate lines for subscribers, thereby eliminating the friction and frustration created by the current system>”

Critics say the bill would ban Clear from operating at state airports. Six major airlines — Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue and Hawaiian — have all voiced their opposition to the bill, citing revenue loss from Clear that could increase airfare tickets.

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In a letter to the Senate Transportation Committee, representatives for the airlines wrote that the bill would “severely restrict airports’ ability to effectively manage lines at the security checkpoint, resulting in a negative travel experience for our California customers.”

airline-oppose-letter-sb-1372Download

The letter also stated that in 2023 alone, Clear verified frequent filers from the state over 5 million times, demonstrating that “customers find value in using Clear.”

The bill is set for its first hearing on Wednesday, and should it pass the state legislature, it will head to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, where it can be vetoed or signed into law.

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