Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act

To establish the Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act 2. Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council (a) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security (referred to in this section as the Secretary Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Council (b) Duties of Council The Council shall provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary on matters concerning homeland security and the academic community, relating to the following: (1) The threat of foreign influence and interference in the United States. (2) Proposed regulatory changes impacting institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 (3) Promoting the openness of academic research and the exchange of ideas between institutions of higher education and the Federal Government. (4) Promoting campus resilience resources to address a range of threats or hazards affecting institutions of higher education. (5) Homeland security academic and research programs. (6) Student and recent graduate recruitment to Federal Government employment. (7) Issues relating to international students, including— (A) obtaining and maintaining a visa; (B) processing H–1B visas and Optional Practical Training; (C) monitoring student visa recipients who stay past their authorized time in the United States; and (D) any other matters the Secretary considers appropriate. (8) Issues relating to undocumented students. (9) Cybersecurity. (c) Membership (1) In general The Council shall be composed of at least 21 members appointed by the Secretary, of whom 9 shall be from governmental positions specified in paragraph (2), and not fewer than 12 members shall be from nongovernmental positions specified in paragraph (3). (2) Governmental positions Governmental positions specified in this paragraph are the following: (A) The Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Department of State. (B) The Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State. (C) U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (D) The Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department of Homeland Security. (E) The Office of Science and Technology Cooperation of the Department of State. (F) The Student and Exchange Visitor Program of the Department of Homeland Security. (G) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. (H) Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. (I) Homeland Security Investigations of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (J) The Department of Justice. (K) The intelligence community (as such term is defined in section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 ( 50 U.S.C. 3003(4) (3) Nongovernmental positions Nongovernmental positions specified in this paragraph are the following: (A) Twelve presidents or chancellors of a university, with a distribution of such universities being private, public, and regionally diverse. (B) Senior leaders of relevant higher education associations. (4) Timing of appointments Appointments to the Council shall be made not later than 4 months after the date of the enactment of this Act. (5) Terms (A) In general Each member shall be appointed for a term of 2 years. (B) Vacancies Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that term until a successor has been appointed. (6) Chairperson and vice chairperson The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Council shall be designated by the Secretary at the time of the appointment of the members pursuant to paragraph (4), and when a vacancy of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson occurs, as the case may be. (d) Meeting (1) Initial meeting The Council shall hold its initial meeting not later than 30 days after the final appointment of all members under subsection (c)(4). (2) Meetings The Council shall meet not fewer than 3 times each year at the call of the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. (3) Quorum Sixteen members of the Council, of whom 8 members appointed from governmental positions and 8 members appointed from nongovernmental positions, shall constitute a quorum. (e) Compensation (1) Prohibition of compensation Except as provided in paragraph (2), members of the Council may not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Council. (2) Travel expenses Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 (f) Administrative support services Upon the request of the Council, the Secretary shall provide to the Council, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Council to carry out its responsibilities under this Act. (g) Report Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Council holds its initial meeting under subsection (d) and annually thereafter, the Council shall submit a report containing a detailed statement of the advice and recommendations of the Council pursuant to subsection (b) to each of the following: (1) The Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives. (2) The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. (3) The Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. (4) The Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate. (5) The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives. (6) The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate. (h) Nonapplicability of FACA The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Council.

Summary: Homeland Security Higher Education Advisory Council Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a homeland security higher education advisory council. Such council must make recommendations to DHS on matters concerning homeland security and the academic community, including the threat of foreign influence and interference in the United States, homeland security academic and research programs, issues relating to international students (e.g., visas), and cybersecurity.