79–006 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 115–603 

ENHANCING DHS’ FUSION CENTER TECHNICAL 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ACT 

MARCH 19, 2018.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State 

of the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. MCCAUL, from the Committee on Homeland Security, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 5099] 

The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred the 

bill (H.R. 5099) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish in the Department of Homeland Security a fusion center 

technical assistance program, having considered the same, report 

favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill 

do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 2 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 2 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 3 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 3 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 3 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 3 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 3 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 3 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 4 

Duplicative Federal Programs ................................................................................ 4 

Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits ... 4 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 4 

Preemption Clarification ......................................................................................... 4 

Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings ..................................................................... 4 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 4 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 5 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 5 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 6 


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1The United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Advancing 

the Homeland Security Information Sharing Environment: A Review of the National Network of 

Fusion Centers, at 12, November 2017. https://homeland.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ 

Committee-on-Homeland-Security-Fusion-Center-Report.pdf 2The United States House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Advancing 

the Homeland Security Information Sharing Environment: A Review of the National Network of 

Fusion Centers, at 11-12, November 2017. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

The Enhancing DHS’ Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program Act authorizes and enhances the Department of Homeland 

Security’s fusion center technical assistance program. The program 

is required to focus on providing the 79 fusion centers across the 

United States with technical assistance regarding intelligence and 

information sharing, terrorism prevention activities and the State 

Homeland Security Grant Program and the Urban Area Security 

Initiative grant program. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

In November 2017, the Committee on Homeland Security Majority Staff released a report entitled ‘‘Advancing the Homeland Security Information Sharing Environment: A Review of the National 

Network of Fusion Centers.’’ The report included a review of the 

existing fusion center technical assistance program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and recommended that the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) and the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency (FEMA) ‘‘enhance the support available to fusion centers from FEMA’s Technical Assistance Program and address the need for more direct I&A connectivity with the program.’’1

In 2009, despite I&A being the primary DHS agency that interacts with fusion centers, FEMA was given the responsibility for the 

Department’s fusion center technical assistance program. It is the 

Committee’s understanding that the decision to place FEMA in 

charge of the technical assistance program was largely based on 

available resources. The current fusion center technical program 

largely provides training for fusion center personnel on a range of 

topics, including suspicious activity reporting, new director onboarding, and critical infrastructure and key resources. 

The Committee noted in the November 2017 report widespread 

concerns within the fusion center community that the quality and 

available resources from current technical assistance program had 

diminished.2 Additionally, the Committee found that I&A does not 

have active engagement with the program. 

The bill seeks to address these shortfalls by providing statutory 

authorization for the program, allowing the Secretary the flexibility 

to maintain the program at FEMA or transfer it elsewhere in the 

Department if deemed appropriate, and expanding the mission of 

the existing office to include technical assistance in other key 

areas. These include information and guidance regarding homeland 

security grants, terrorism prevention activities across DHS, and information sharing activities. The latter two activities will result in 

a more direct role in the program by I&A. Additionally, the bill requires the program to be a repository for best practices relevant to 

fusion centers. 


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HEARINGS

The Committee did not hold any hearing specifically on 

H.R. 5099, but the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence held several hearings relevant to the bill. 

On February 26, 2015, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism 

and Intelligence held a hearing entitled ‘‘Addressing Remaining 

Gap in Federal, State, and Local Information Sharing.’’ The Subcommittee received testimony from Mr. Mike Sena, President, National Fusion Center Association; Chief Richard Beary, President, 

International Association of Chiefs of Police; and Dr. Cedric Alexander, National President, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 

On September 8, 2016, the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism 

and Intelligence held a hearing entitled ‘‘State and Local Perspectives on Federal Information Sharing.’’ The Subcommittee received 

testimony from Mr. Mike Sena, President, National Fusion Center 

Association; Chief Richard Beary, Immediate Past President, International Association of Chiefs of Police; and Dr. Cedric Alexander, 

National President, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

The Committee met on March 7, 2018, to consider H.R. 5099, 

and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a favorable recommendation, without amendment, by unanimous consent. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the recorded votes on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. 

No recorded votes were requested during consideration of 

H.R. 5099. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee has held oversight hearings and 

made findings that are reflected in this report. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R. 5099, the 

Enhancing DHS’ Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program Act, 

would result in no new or increased budget authority, entitlement 

authority, or tax expenditures or revenues. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, a cost estimate provided by the Congressional 

Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget 

Act of 1974 was not made available to the Committee in time for 

the filing of this report. The Chairman of the Committee shall 


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cause such estimate to be printed in the Congressional Record upon 

its receipt by the Committee. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H.R. 5099 contains the following general performance goals and objectives, including outcome related goals and 

objectives authorized. 

The goal of H.R. 5099 is to address the shortfalls of the Department’s current fusion center technical assistance program by providing statutory authorization for the program, allowing the Secretary the flexibility to maintain the program at FEMA or transfer 

it elsewhere in the Department if deemed appropriate, and expanding the mission of the existing office to include technical assistance 

in other key areas. 

DUPLICATIVE FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Pursuant to clause 3(c) of Rule XIII, the Committee finds that 

H.R. 5099 does not contain any provision that establishes or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative of another Federal program. 

CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED

TARIFF BENEFITS

In compliance with Rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the Rule XXI. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

An estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act was not made available to the Committee in time for the filing of this report. The Chairman of the 

Committee shall cause such estimate to be printed in the Congressional Record upon its receipt by the Committee. 

PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

In compliance with section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act 

of 1974, requiring the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 

resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the bill or 

joint resolution is intended to preempt State, local, or Tribal law, 

the Committee finds that H.R. 5099 does not preempt any State, 

local, or Tribal law. 

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULE MAKINGS

The Committee estimates that H.R. 5099 would require no directed rule makings. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation. 


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3The Homeland Security Information Network—Intelligence is a trusted and secure network 

for Federal, State, local, territorial, tribal partners to share sensitive but unclassified information. The program is operated by the Department of Homeland Security and fusion centers, as 

well as other vetted stakeholders, are provided access. 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short Title. 

This section provides that this bill may be cited as the ‘‘Enhancing DHS’ Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program Act’’. 

Sec. 2. Fusion Center Technical Assistance Program. 

The section amends section 210A of the Homeland Security Act 

of 2002 by adding a requirement that the Secretary of Homeland 

Security establish a fusion center technical assistance program at 

the Department. In establishing the program, the Secretary is required to consult with the National Network of Fusion Centers and 

other relevant stakeholders. During the Committee’s review of the 

National Network of Fusion Centers, staff heard about the widespread concerns with the Department’s current fusion center technical assistance program. Even more troubling, Committee staff 

heard that I&A, DHS’ primary point of contact for fusion centers, 

is not actively engage with the current program. This section will 

result in I&A having a more direct role in the program. 

Additionally, the section lays out the specific requirements the 

technical assistance program must address. These include providing technical assistance regarding intelligence and information 

sharing and terrorism prevention activities, including training. The 

Committee’s November 2017 fusion center report mentioned there 

is a communication breakdown between fusion centers, FEMA’s 

Grants Programs Directorate, and I&A regarding fusion centers 

use of the State Homeland Security Grants and Urban Area Security Initiative. While it is unclear what has caused this breakdown, 

this section addresses the issue by requiring this program to provide technical assistance on the grant programs. 

Lastly, the Committee’s report highlighted establishment of the 

National Network Center of Best Practice. The National Network 

of Fusion Centers took the initiative and developed a repository 

like place for best practices on the Homeland Security Information 

Network—Intel.3 The National Network Center of Best Practices is 

still in its infancy and the true impact of this repository is still unknown. This section will build on this initiative by ensuring Department’s fusion center technical assistance program also make 

available best practices on operations, sharing and analysis of 

homeland security threats, and protecting civil liberty, civil rights, 

and privacy to the 79 fusion centers. 


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CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

HOMELAND SECURITY ACT OF 2002 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE II—INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND 

INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION 

Subtitle A—Information and Analysis and 

Infrastructure Protection; Access to Information 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 210A. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY STATE, LOCAL, 

AND REGIONAL FUSION CENTER INITIATIVE. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 

program manager of the information sharing environment established under section 1016 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism 

Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 485), the Attorney General, the 

Privacy Officer of the Department, the Officer for Civil Rights and 

Civil Liberties of the Department, and the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board established under section 1061 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (5 U.S.C. 601 

note), shall establish a Department of Homeland Security State, 

Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative to establish partnerships with State, local, and regional fusion centers. 

(b) DEPARTMENT SUPPORT AND COORDINATION.—Through the Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion 

Center Initiative, and in coordination with the principal officials of 

participating State, local, or regional fusion centers and the officers 

designated as the Homeland Security Advisors of the States, the 

Secretary shall— 

(1) provide operational and intelligence advice and assistance 

to State, local, and regional fusion centers; 

(2) support efforts to include State, local, and regional fusion 

centers into efforts to establish an information sharing environment; 

(3) conduct tabletop and live training exercises to regularly 

assess the capability of individual and regional networks of 

State, local, and regional fusion centers to integrate the efforts 

of such networks with the efforts of the Department; 

(4) coordinate with other relevant Federal entities engaged 

in homeland security-related activities; 

(5) provide analytic and reporting advice and assistance to 

State, local, and regional fusion centers; 


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(6) review information within the scope of the information 

sharing environment, including homeland security information, 

terrorism information, and weapons of mass destruction information, that is gathered by State, local, and regional fusion 

centers, and to incorporate such information, as appropriate, 

into the Department’s own such information; 

(7) provide management assistance to State, local, and regional fusion centers; 

(8) serve as a point of contact to ensure the dissemination of 

information within the scope of the information sharing environment, including homeland security information, terrorism 

information, and weapons of mass destruction information; 

(9) facilitate close communication and coordination between 

State, local, and regional fusion centers and the Department; 

(10) provide State, local, and regional fusion centers with expertise on Department resources and operations; 

(11) provide training to State, local, and regional fusion centers and encourage such fusion centers to participate in terrorism threat-related exercises conducted by the Department; 

and 

(12) carry out such other duties as the Secretary determines 

are appropriate. 

(c) PERSONNEL ASSIGNMENT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for Intelligence and 

Analysis shall, to the maximum extent practicable, assign officers and intelligence analysts from components of the Department to participating State, local, and regional fusion centers. 

(2) PERSONNEL SOURCES.—Officers and intelligence analysts 

assigned to participating fusion centers under this subsection 

may be assigned from the following Department components, 

in coordination with the respective component head and in consultation with the principal officials of participating fusion centers: 

(A) Office of Intelligence and Analysis. 

(B) Office of Infrastructure Protection. 

(C) Transportation Security Administration. 

(D) United States Customs and Border Protection. 

(E) United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

(F) United States Coast Guard. 

(G) Other components of the Department, as determined 

by the Secretary. 

(3) QUALIFYING CRITERIA.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop qualifying 

criteria for a fusion center to participate in the assigning 

of Department officers or intelligence analysts under this 

section. 

(B) CRITERIA.—Any criteria developed under subparagraph (A) may include— 

(i) whether the fusion center, through its mission 

and governance structure, focuses on a broad counterterrorism approach, and whether that broad approach 

is pervasive through all levels of the organization; 


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(ii) whether the fusion center has sufficient numbers 

of adequately trained personnel to support a broad 

counterterrorism mission; 

(iii) whether the fusion center has— 

(I) access to relevant law enforcement, emergency response, private sector, open source, and 

national security data; and 

(II) the ability to share and analytically utilize 

that data for lawful purposes; 

(iv) whether the fusion center is adequately funded 

by the State, local, or regional government to support 

its counterterrorism mission; and 

(v) the relevancy of the mission of the fusion center 

to the particular source component of Department officers or intelligence analysts. 

(4) PREREQUISITE.— 

(A) INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS, PRIVACY, AND CIVIL LIBERTIES TRAINING.—Before being assigned to a fusion center 

under this section, an officer or intelligence analyst shall 

undergo— 

(i) appropriate intelligence analysis or information 

sharing training using an intelligence-led policing curriculum that is consistent with— 

(I) standard training and education programs 

offered to Department law enforcement and intelligence personnel; and 

(II) the Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies under part 23 of title 28, Code of 

Federal Regulations (or any corresponding similar 

rule or regulation); 

(ii) appropriate privacy and civil liberties training 

that is developed, supported, or sponsored by the Privacy Officer appointed under section 222 and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department, in consultation with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board established under section 1061 

of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention 

Act of 2004 (5 U.S.C. 601 note); and 

(iii) such other training prescribed by the Under 

Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis. 

(B) PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE IN AREA.—In determining 

the eligibility of an officer or intelligence analyst to be assigned to a fusion center under this section, the Under 

Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis shall consider the 

familiarity of the officer or intelligence analyst with the 

State, locality, or region, as determined by such factors as 

whether the officer or intelligence analyst— 

(i) has been previously assigned in the geographic 

area; or 

(ii) has previously worked with intelligence officials 

or law enforcement or other emergency response providers from that State, locality, or region. 

(5) EXPEDITED SECURITY CLEARANCE PROCESSING.—The 

Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis— 


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(A) shall ensure that each officer or intelligence analyst 

assigned to a fusion center under this section has the appropriate security clearance to contribute effectively to the 

mission of the fusion center; and 

(B) may request that security clearance processing be expedited for each such officer or intelligence analyst and 

may use available funds for such purpose. 

(6) FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS.—Each officer or intelligence 

analyst assigned to a fusion center under this section shall satisfy any other qualifications the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis may prescribe. 

(d) RESPONSIBILITIES.—An officer or intelligence analyst assigned 

to a fusion center under this section shall— 

(1) assist law enforcement agencies and other emergency response providers of State, local, and tribal governments and fusion center personnel in using information within the scope of 

the information sharing environment, including homeland security information, terrorism information, and weapons of 

mass destruction information, to develop a comprehensive and 

accurate threat picture; 

(2) review homeland security-relevant information from law 

enforcement agencies and other emergency response providers 

of State, local, and tribal government; 

(3) create intelligence and other information products derived from such information and other homeland security-relevant information provided by the Department; and 

(4) assist in the dissemination of such products, as coordinated by the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis, to 

law enforcement agencies and other emergency response providers of State, local, and tribal government, other fusion centers, and appropriate Federal agencies. 

(e) BORDER INTELLIGENCE PRIORITY.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall make it a priority to 

assign officers and intelligence analysts under this section 

from United States Customs and Border Protection, United 

States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast 

Guard to participating State, local, and regional fusion centers 

located in jurisdictions along land or maritime borders of the 

United States in order to enhance the integrity of and security 

at such borders by helping Federal, State, local, and tribal law 

enforcement authorities to identify, investigate, and otherwise 

interdict persons, weapons, and related contraband that pose a 

threat to homeland security. 

(2) BORDER INTELLIGENCE PRODUCTS.—When performing the 

responsibilities described in subsection (d), officers and intelligence analysts assigned to participating State, local, and regional fusion centers under this section shall have, as a primary responsibility, the creation of border intelligence products 

that— 

(A) assist State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in deploying their resources most efficiently to help 

detect and interdict terrorists, weapons of mass destruction, and related contraband at land or maritime borders 

of the United States; 


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(B) promote more consistent and timely sharing of border security-relevant information among jurisdictions 

along land or maritime borders of the United States; and 

(C) enhance the Department’s situational awareness of 

the threat of acts of terrorism at or involving the land or 

maritime borders of the United States. 

(f) DATABASE ACCESS.—In order to fulfill the objectives described 

under subsection (d), each officer or intelligence analyst assigned to 

a fusion center under this section shall have appropriate access to 

all relevant Federal databases and information systems, consistent 

with any policies, guidelines, procedures, instructions, or standards 

established by the President or, as appropriate, the program manager of the information sharing environment for the implementation and management of that environment. 

(g) CONSUMER FEEDBACK.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall create a voluntary 

mechanism for any State, local, or tribal law enforcement officer or other emergency response provider who is a consumer 

of the intelligence or other information products referred to in 

subsection (d) to provide feedback to the Department on the 

quality and utility of such intelligence products. 

(2) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the date of the 

enactment of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 

Commission Act of 2007, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security 

and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 

Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report 

that includes a description of the consumer feedback obtained 

under paragraph (1) and, if applicable, how the Department 

has adjusted its production of intelligence products in response 

to that consumer feedback. 

(h) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The authorities granted under this section 

shall supplement the authorities granted under section 201(d) 

and nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate the 

authorities granted under section 201(d). 

(2) PARTICIPATION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a State, local, or regional government or entity to accept the assignment of officers or intelligence analysts 

of the Department into the fusion center of that State, locality, 

or region. 

(i) GUIDELINES.—The Secretary, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall establish guidelines for fusion centers created 

and operated by State and local governments, to include standards 

that any such fusion center shall— 

(1) collaboratively develop a mission statement, identify expectations and goals, measure performance, and determine effectiveness for that fusion center; 

(2) create a representative governance structure that includes law enforcement officers and other emergency response 

providers and, as appropriate, the private sector; 

(3) create a collaborative environment for the sharing of intelligence and information among Federal, State, local, and 

tribal government agencies (including law enforcement officers 

and other emergency response providers), the private sector, 


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and the public, consistent with any policies, guidelines, procedures, instructions, or standards established by the President 

or, as appropriate, the program manager of the information 

sharing environment; 

(4) leverage the databases, systems, and networks available 

from public and private sector entities, in accordance with all 

applicable laws, to maximize information sharing; 

(5) develop, publish, and adhere to a privacy and civil liberties policy consistent with Federal, State, and local law; 

(6) provide, in coordination with the Privacy Officer of the 

Department and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 

of the Department, appropriate privacy and civil liberties 

training for all State, local, tribal, and private sector representatives at the fusion center; 

(7) ensure appropriate security measures are in place for the 

facility, data, and personnel; 

(8) select and train personnel based on the needs, mission, 

goals, and functions of that fusion center; 

(9) offer a variety of intelligence and information services 

and products to recipients of fusion center intelligence and information; and 

(10) incorporate law enforcement officers, other emergency 

response providers, and, as appropriate, the private sector, into 

all relevant phases of the intelligence and fusion process, consistent with the mission statement developed under paragraph 

(1), either through full time representatives or liaison relationships with the fusion center to enable the receipt and sharing 

of information and intelligence. 

(j) FUSION CENTER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.— 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary, in consultation with officials from the National Network of Fusion Centers and, to the 

greatest extent practicable, other relevant stakeholders, shall establish a fusion center technical assistance program. 

(2) ELEMENTS OF PROGRAM.—In carrying out the fusion center technical assistance program established under paragraph 

(1), the Secretary shall— 

(A) provide technical assistance to fusion centers regarding— 

(i) grants administered under sections 2003 and 

2004; 

(ii) terrorism prevention activities; and 

(iii) intelligence and information sharing; 

(B) provide to fusion centers notice of any changes to the 

activities referred to in subparagraph (A); 

(C) make available best practices regarding— 

(i) fusion center operations; 

(ii) information sharing and analysis of homeland 

security threats, including cyber threats; 

(iii) protecting privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties; and 

(iv) such other best practices as the Secretary determines appropriate; and 

(D) carry out such other activities as the Secretary determines appropriate. 

ø(j)¿ (k) DEFINITIONS.—In this section— 


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(1) the term ‘‘fusion center’’ means a collaborative effort of 2 

or more Federal, State, local, or tribal government agencies 

that combines resources, expertise, or information with the 

goal of maximizing the ability of such agencies to detect, prevent, investigate, apprehend, and respond to criminal or terrorist activity; 

(2) the term ‘‘information sharing environment’’ means the 

information sharing environment established under section 

1016 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act 

of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 485); 

(3) the term ‘‘intelligence analyst’’ means an individual who 

regularly advises, administers, supervises, or performs work in 

the collection, gathering, analysis, evaluation, reporting, production, or dissemination of information on political, economic, 

social, cultural, physical, geographical, scientific, or military 

conditions, trends, or forces in foreign or domestic areas that 

directly or indirectly affect national security; 

(4) the term ‘‘intelligence-led policing’’ means the collection 

and analysis of information to produce an intelligence end 

product designed to inform law enforcement decision making at 

the tactical and strategic levels; and 

(5) the term ‘‘terrorism information’’ has the meaning given 

that term in section 1016 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 485). 

ø(k)¿ (l) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 

through 2012, to carry out this section, except for subsection (i), including for hiring officers and intelligence analysts to replace officers and intelligence analysts who are assigned to fusion centers 

under this section. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ 


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