CBP approves Reno-Tahoe Airport proposal to participate in agency’s Reimbursable Services Program

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently approved an application from the Reno-Tahoe Airport to participate in the agency’s Reimbursable Services Program (RSP), which allows the airport to hire additional CBP personnel to help process international travelers.

CBP’s approval also allows the airport to attract additional international airlines and new passengers.

The move was especially welcomed by U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV), whose Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act helped pave the way for the airport to gain additional CBP staff. The bill specifically encouraged public-private partnerships to boost staffing and enact various infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry without increasing the national deficit. Heller’s legislation was recently signed into law.

“I welcome the news that Reno-Tahoe Airport has been selected to participate in a program that will not only allow the airport to more efficiently and effectively process international travelers in a timely manner, but also attract international airlines and visitors to our great state,” Heller said.

Heller was also able to include specific provisions in the recently-passed Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2016, which includes the allowance of ports of entry to enter into public-private partnerships with CBP to help privately finance salaries and expenses for up to five additional border patrol agents.

Heller’s added provisions also included adding salaries and expenses of CBP employees that support officers in performing law enforcement functions costs related to temporary placement and relocation of officers, as well as costs incurred by CBP to pay existing officers overtime.