II 

Calendar No. 624 

108TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 2632 

To establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness grant information 

hotline, and for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 8, 2004 

Mrs. BOXER introduced the following bill; which was read the first time 

JULY 9, 2004 

Read the second time and placed on the calendar 

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

2 government’’ has the meaning given that term under 

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

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

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

6 ‘‘non-profit organization’’ means an organization de7 scribed under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Rev8 enue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 

9 section 501(a) of such Code. 

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

11 the Secretary of Homeland Security. 

12 SEC. 3. GRANT INFORMATION HOTLINE. 

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

14 toll-free hotline through which local governments and non15 profit organizations may obtain information regarding all 

16 Federal grant programs that make funds available for the 

17 assistance of first responders and for terrorism prepared18 ness. 

19 (b) INFORMATION.—The information available 

20 through the hotline established under subsection (a) shall 

21 include the types of grants available, application proce22 dures, and such other information as the Secretary deter23 mines necessary. 
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1 (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 

2 are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec3 essary to carry out this section. 

4 SEC. 4. FIRST RESPONDER GRANT PROGRAM. 

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

6 make grants, on a competitive basis, to non-profit organi7 zations eligible under subsection (c), for the purpose of 

8 training and equipping first responders. 

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

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

11 application to the Secretary, in such form and containing 

12 such information as prescribed by the Secretary. 

13 (c) ELIGIBLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.—Non14 profit organizations that operate training programs for 

15 first responders in conjunction with a local agency shall 

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

17 (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 

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

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

20 SEC. 5. COMMUNICATION SYSTEM GRANTS. 

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

22 make grants, on a competitive basis, to States, local gov23 ernments, local law enforcement agencies, and local fire 

24 departments to assist in— 
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1 (1) improving communication systems to allow 

2 for real-time, interoperable communication between 

3 State and local first responders; or 

4 (2) the purchase of communication systems that 

5 allow for real-time, interoperable communication be6 tween such State and local first responders. 

7 (b) APPLICATION.—Any State, local government, 

8 local law enforcement agency, or local fire department that 

9 desires to receive a grant under subsection (a) shall sub10 mit an application to the Secretary, in such form and con11 taining such information as prescribed by the Secretary. 

12 (c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 

13 are authorized to be appropriated $300,000,000 in each 

14 of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, to carry out this sec15 tion. 

Calendar No. 624 

108TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 2632 

A BILL 

To establish a first responder and terrorism preother purposes. paredness grant information hotline, and for 

JULY 9, 2004 

Read the second time and placed on the calendar