II 

108TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 2171

To establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness grant information 

hotline, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 4, 2004

Mrs. BOXER introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred 

to the Committee on Governmental Affairs 

A BILL

To establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness 

grant information hotline, and for other purposes.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘First Responders 

5 Homeland Defense Act of 2004’’. 

6 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

7 In this Act: 

8 (1) LOCAL GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘local 

9 government’’ has the meaning given that term under 
2

•S 2171 IS 

1 section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 

2 U.S.C. 101(10)). 

3 (2) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.—The term 

4 ‘‘non-profit organization’’ means an organization de5 scribed under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Rev6 enue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 

7 section 501(a) of such Code. 

8 (3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

9 the Secretary of Homeland Security. 

10 SEC. 3. GRANT INFORMATION HOTLINE. 

11 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 

12 toll-free hotline through which local governments and non13 profit organizations may obtain information regarding all 

14 Federal grant programs that make funds available for the 

15 assistance of first responders and for terrorism prepared16 ness. 

17 (b) INFORMATION.—The information available 

18 through the hotline established under subsection (a) shall 

19 include the types of grants available, application proce20 dures, and such other information as the Secretary deter21 mines necessary. 

22 (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 

23 are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec24 essary to carry out this section. 
3

•S 2171 IS 

1 SEC. 4. FIRST RESPONDER GRANT PROGRAM. 

2 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to 

3 make grants, on a competitive basis, to non-profit organi4 zations eligible under subsection (c), for the purpose of 

5 training and equipping first responders. 

6 (b) APPLICATION.—A non-profit organization may 

7 apply for a grant under subsection (a) by submitting an 

8 application to the Secretary, in such form and containing 

9 such information as prescribed by the Secretary. 

10 (c) ELIGIBLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.—Non11 profit organizations that operate training programs for 

12 first responders in conjunction with a local agency shall 

13 be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a). 

14 (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 

15 are authorized to be appropriated $50,000,000 in each of 

16 fiscal years 2005 through 2009, to carry out this section. 

17 SEC. 5. COMMUNICATION SYSTEM GRANTS. 

18 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to 

19 make grants, on a competitive basis, to States, local gov20 ernments, local law enforcement agencies, and local fire 

21 departments to assist in—

22 (1) improving communication systems to allow 

23 for real-time, interoperable communication between 

24 State and local first responders; or 
4

•S 2171 IS 

1 (2) the purchase of communication systems that 

2 allow for real-time, interoperable communication be3 tween such State and local first responders.

Æ