This week in Washington, DC, Louisiana Congressmen Troy Carter and Clay Higgins introduced the TWIC Efficiency (TWICE) Act, a bipartisan bill, actively supported by GNO, Inc., that will expand access to Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC) for justice-impacted individuals.

TWIC cards are essential for employment at ports, shipyards, refineries, and transportation hubs. In short, you cannot enter the premises without one. Yet formerly incarcerated individuals often face unnecessary hurdles and delays in obtaining TWIC cards, even after completing workforce training and security screening. The TWICE Act addresses this by directing TSA to streamline the process, assist applicants before release, and reduce delays that could keep qualified workers on the sidelines.

For Louisiana, the legislation represents both a workforce and an economic development win. Thousands of good-paying jobs across the maritime, energy, and logistics sectors require TWIC credentials, at a time when employers are struggling to find talent. The need is even more pressing with the new Louisiana International Terminal on the horizon. By expediting access for qualified applicants, the bill will help fill critical labor gaps, while also reducing recidivism through meaningful employment.

Note that the TWICE Act does not change or lower the requirements for clearance to obtain a TWIC card; it merely streamlines the process.

GNO, Inc. has played an active role in advancing the TWICE Act, working with partners in the maritime and transportation industries to demonstrate how modernizing the TWIC process will improve the region’s competitiveness. The legislation has garnered support from a broad coalition, including national associations representing ports, waterways, trucking, and workforce development - underscoring its significance for both Louisiana and the nation.