I 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5178 
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study to identify 
best practices for the communication of information concerning a ter-
rorist threat, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 25, 2006 
Mr. FOSSELLA (for himself and Mr. HOEKSTRA) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addi-
tion to the Select Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), for a 
period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct 
a study to identify best practices for the communication 
of information concerning a terrorist threat, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity and the Director of National Intelligence shall conduct 
jointly, or contract with an entity to conduct, a study of 
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the operations of Federal, State, and local government en-
tities to identify best practices for the communication of 
information concerning a terrorist threat. 
(b) CONTENTS.— 
(1) IDENTIFICATION OF BEST PRACTICES.—The 
study conducted under this section shall be focused 
on an analysis and identification of the best prac-
tices of the information sharing processes of the fol-
lowing government entities: 
(A) Joint Terrorism Task Forces, which 
are operated by the Federal Bureau of Inves-
tigations with the participation of local law en-
forcement agencies. 
(B) State Homeland Security Fusion Cen-
ters, which are established by a State and share 
information with Federal departments. 
(C) The Homeland Security Operations 
Center, which is operated by the Department of 
Homeland Security for the purposes of coordi-
nating information. 
(D) State and local law enforcement agen-
cies that collect, utilize, and disseminate infor-
mation on potential terrorist attacks. 
(E) The appropriate elements of the intel-
ligence community, as defined in section 3 of 
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the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 
401a), involved in the sharing of counter-ter-
rorism information. 
(2) COORDINATION
OF
GOVERNMENT
ENTI-
TIES.—The study conducted under this section shall 
include an examination of methods for coordinating 
the activities of Federal, State, and local entities in 
responding to a terrorist threat, and specifically the 
communication to the general public of information 
concerning the threat. The study shall not include 
an examination of the sources and methods used in 
the collection of the information. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.—In conducting the 
study, the Secretary, in conjunction with the Director, 
with due regard for the protection of classified informa-
tion, may secure directly from any department or agency 
of the United States information necessary to enable the 
Secretary to carry out this section. Classified information 
shall be handled through established methods for control-
ling such information. 
(d) TEMPORARY DUTY OF FEDERAL PERSONNEL.— 
The Secretary, in conjunction with the Director, may re-
quest the head of any department or agency of the United 
States to detail to temporary duty personnel within the 
administrative jurisdiction of the head of the department 
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or agency that the Secretary may need to carry out this 
section, each detail to be without loss of seniority, pay, 
or other employee status. 
(e) REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary, in conjunction with the Director, shall submit 
to Congress a report that contains— 
(A) a detailed statement of the findings 
and conclusions of the study, including identi-
fication of the best practices for the processing, 
analysis, and dissemination of information be-
tween the government entities referred to in 
subsection (b)(1); and 
(B) recommendations for a formalized 
process of consultation, communication, and 
confidentiality between Federal, State, and local 
governments, incorporating the best practices of 
the various entities studied, to facilitate com-
munication and help prevent the unauthorized 
dissemination of information and criticism of 
decisions concerning terrorist threats. 
(2) CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.—To the extent 
determined appropriate by the Secretary, in conjunc-
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tion with the Director, the Secretary may submit a 
portion of the report in classified form. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2007. 
SEC. 2. CENTERS OF BEST PRACTICES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity, in consultation with the Director of National Intel-
ligence, shall make grants for the establishment and oper-
ation of 3 centers to implement the best practices, identi-
fied by the study conducted under section 1, for the proc-
essing, analysis, and dissemination of information con-
cerning a terrorist threat (in this Act, each referred to 
as a ‘‘Center’’). 
(b) LOCATION OF CENTERS.—In carrying out sub-
section (a), the Secretary, in consultation with the Direc-
tor, shall make grants to— 
(1) the State of New York for the establishment 
of a Center to be located in New York City; 
(2) the State of Michigan for the establishment 
of a Center to be located in Detroit; and 
(3) the State of California for the establishment 
of a Center to be located in Los Angeles. 
(c) PURPOSE OF CENTERS.—Each Center shall— 
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