297 
‘‘(D) establish a system of Transportation 
Security Administration audits of the process de-
veloped pursuant to subparagraph (B); and 
‘‘(E) provide that canines certified for the 
primary screening of air cargo can be used by 
air carriers, foreign air carriers, freight for-
warders, and shippers. 
‘‘(2) IMPLEMENTATION.—Upon completion of the 
development of the process under subsection (a), the 
Administrator shall— 
‘‘(A) facilitate the deployment of such assets 
that meet the certification standards of the Ad-
ministration, as determined by the Adminis-
trator; 
‘‘(B) make such standards available to ven-
dors seeking to train and deploy third-party ex-
plosives detection canine assets; and 
‘‘(C) ensure that all costs for the training 
and certification of canines, and for the use of 
supplied canines, are borne by private industry 
and not the Federal Government. 
‘‘(3) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection: 
‘‘(A) AIR CARRIER.—The term ‘air carrier’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 
40102 of title 49, United States Code. 
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‘‘(B) FOREIGN
AIR
CARRIER.—The term 
‘foreign air carrier’ has the meaning given such 
term in section 40102 of title 49, United States 
Code. 
‘‘(C) THIRD-PARTY EXPLOSIVES DETECTION 
CANINE ASSETS.—The term ‘third-party explo-
sives detection canine assets’ means any explo-
sives detection canine or handler not owned or 
employed, respectively, by the Administration.’’. 
Subtitle F—Information Sharing 
and Cybersecurity 
SEC. 561. INFORMATION SHARING AND CYBERSECURITY. 
(a) FEDERAL SECURITY DIRECTORS.—Section 44933 
of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(c) INFORMATION SHARING.—Not later than one year 
after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Ad-
ministrator shall— 
‘‘(1) require each Federal Security Director of an 
airport to meet at least quarterly with the airport di-
rector, airport security coordinator, and law enforce-
ment agencies serving each such airport to discuss in-
cident management protocols, including the resolution 
of screening anomalies at passenger screening check-
points; and 
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‘‘(2) require each Federal Security Director at 
an airport to inform, consult, and coordinate, as ap-
propriate, with the respective airport security coordi-
nator in a timely manner on security matters im-
pacting airport operations and to establish and 
maintain operational protocols with such airport op-
erators to ensure coordinated responses to security 
matters.’’. 
(b) PLAN TO IMPROVE INFORMATION SHARING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator 
of the Transportation Security Administration, shall 
develop a plan to improve intelligence information 
sharing with State and local transportation entities 
that includes best practices to ensure that the infor-
mation shared is actionable, useful, and not redun-
dant. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The plan required under sub-
section (a) shall include the following: 
(A) The incorporation of best practices for 
information sharing. 
(B) The identification of areas of overlap 
and redundancy. 
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(C) An evaluation and incorporation of 
stakeholder input in the development of such 
plan. 
(D) The integration of recommendations of 
the Comptroller General of the United States on 
information sharing. 
(3) SOLICITATION.—The Administrator shall so-
licit on an annual basis input from appropriate 
stakeholders, including State and local transportation 
entities, on the quality and quantity of intelligence 
received by such stakeholders relating to information 
sharing. 
(c) BEST PRACTICES SHARING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security, acting through the Administrator 
of the Transportation Security Administration, shall 
establish a mechanism to share with State and local 
transportation entities best practices from across the 
law enforcement spectrum, including Federal, State, 
local, and tribal entities, that relate to employee 
training, employee professional development, tech-
nology development and deployment, hardening tac-
tics, and passenger and employee awareness pro-
grams. 
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(2) CONSULTATION.—The Administrator of the 
Transportation Security Administration shall solicit 
and incorporate stakeholder input— 
(A) in developing the mechanism for shar-
ing best practices as required under paragraph 
(1); and 
(B) not less frequently than once each year 
on the quality and quantity of information such 
stakeholders receive through the mechanism es-
tablished under such subsection. 
(d) CYBERSECURITY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall— 
(A) not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, develop and imple-
ment a cybersecurity risk assessment model for 
aviation security, consistent with the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Frame-
work for Improvement Critical Infrastructure 
Cybersecurity and any update to such Frame-
work pursuant to section 2 of the National Insti-
tute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 
272), to evaluate current and future cybersecu-
rity risks; 
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(B) evaluate, on a periodic basis, but not 
less often than once every two years, the effective-
ness of the cybersecurity risk assessment model 
under subparagraph (A); 
(C) seek to ensure participation of at least 
one information sharing and analysis organiza-
tion (as such term is defined in section 212 of 
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
131)) representing the aviation community in 
the national cybersecurity and communications 
integration 
center, 
pursuant 
to 
subsection 
(d)(1)(B) of section 227 of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 148); 
(D) establish guidelines for voluntary re-
porting of aviation-related cybersecurity risks 
and incidents to the national cybersecurity and 
communications integration center under section 
227 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and 
other appropriate Federal agencies; and 
(E) request the Aviation Security Advisory 
Committee established pursuant to section 44946 
of title 49, United States Code, to report and 
make recommendations to the Secretary on en-
hancing the sharing of information related to 
aviation-related cybersecurity risks and incidents 
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between relevant Federal, state, local, tribal, and 
territorial entities and the aviation stakeholder 
community. 
(2) CYBERSECURITY
ENHANCEMENTS
TO
AVIA-
TION SECURITY ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary of Home-
land Security, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Transportation, shall— 
(A) direct the sharing of information con-
cerning cybersecurity risks and incidents to ad-
dress aviation-specific risks; and 
(B) upon request, conduct cybersecurity vul-
nerability assessments for airports and air car-
riers. 
(3) TSA DATABASE CYBER ASSESSMENT.— 
(A) ASSESSMENT
REQUIRED.—Not later 
than 120 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
shall evaluate the cybersecurity of the Transpor-
tation Security Administration databases for 
trusted traveler and credentialing programs that 
contain personal information of specific individ-
uals or information that identifies specific indi-
viduals, including the Transportation Worker 
Identification Credential and Pre-Check trusted 
traveler programs, and the means for trans-
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mission of data to and from such databases and 
develop information on any identified cybersecu-
rity vulnerabilities and remediation plans to ad-
dress such vulnerabilities; 
(B) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 30 days after the completion of the evalua-
tion required under subparagraph (A), the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Home-
land Security of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate information relat-
ing to such evaluation. Such submission shall be 
provided in a classified form. 
(C) SUBMISSION
OF
SUPPLEMENTARY
IN-
FORMATION.—Not later than 90 days after the 
completion of such evaluation, the Secretary 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Se-
curity of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate supplementary information 
relating to such evaluation, including informa-
tion relating to any identified cybersecurity 
vulnerabilities and remediation plans to address 
such vulnerabilities. Such submission shall be 
provided in a classified form. 
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(4) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection, the terms 
‘‘cybersecurity risk’’ and ‘‘incident’’ have the mean-
ings given such terms in section 227 of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002. 
Subtitle G—Surface Transportation 
Security 
SEC. 571. DEFINITIONS. 
In this subtitle: 
(1) 
APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional commit-
tees’’ means the Committee on Homeland Security 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate. 
(2) EXPLOSIVES DETECTION CANINE TEAM.—The 
term ‘‘explosives detection canine team’’ means a ca-
nine and a canine handler trained to detect explosives 
and other threats as determined by the Secretary. 
(3) RISK.—The term ‘‘risk’’ means the potential 
for an unwanted outcome resulting from an accident, 
event, or occurrence, as determined by its likelihood 
and the associated consequences. 
(4) THREAT.—The term ‘‘threat’’ means an indi-
vidual, entity, action, or natural or manmade occur-
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rence that has or indicates the potential to harm life, 
information, operations, the environment, or prop-
erty. 
(5) VULNERABILITY.—The term ‘‘vulnerability’’ 
means a physical feature or operational attribute that 
renders an entity open to exploitation or susceptible 
to a given hazard. 
SEC. 572. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ASSESS-
MENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RISK-BASED 
STRATEGY. 
(a) SECURITY ASSESSMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall complete an assessment of 
the vulnerabilities of and risks to surface transpor-
tation systems, including findings from similar vul-
nerability analyses completed within three years of 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the secu-
rity assessment under paragraph (1), the Secretary of 
Homeland Security shall, at a minimum— 
(A) consider appropriate intelligence; 
(B) consider security breaches and attacks 
at domestic and international transportation fa-
cilities; 
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(C) consider the vulnerabilities and risks 
associated with specific modes of surface trans-
portation systems; 
(D) evaluate the vetting and security train-
ing of— 
(i) employees in surface transportation 
systems; and 
(ii) other individuals with access to 
sensitive or secure areas of transportation 
systems; and 
(E) consider input from— 
(i) representatives of different modes of 
surface transportation systems; 
(ii) subject to paragraph (3)— 
(I) critical infrastructure entities; 
and 
(II) the Transportation Systems 
Sector Coordinating Council; and 
(iii) the heads of other relevant Federal 
departments or agencies. 
(b) RISK-BASED SECURITY STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date the security assessment under subsection (a) 
is complete, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
use the results of such assessment— 
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573(c), for the Transportation Security Adminis-
tration. 
(2) COORDINATED
APPROACH.—In developing 
and implementing the risk-based security strategy 
under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall coordinate with the heads of other rel-
evant Federal departments or agencies, and stake-
holders, as appropriate— 
(A) to evaluate existing surface transpor-
tation security programs, policies, and initia-
tives, including the explosives detection canine 
teams, for consistency with the risk-based secu-
rity strategy and, to the extent practicable, avoid 
any unnecessary duplication of effort; 
(B) to determine the extent to which stake-
holder security programs, policies, and initia-
tives address the vulnerabilities and risks to sur-
face transportation systems identified in sub-
section (a); and 
(C) subject to subparagraph (B), to mitigate 
each such vulnerability and risk. 
(c) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than one year after 
the date the security assessment under subsection (a) 
is complete, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
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submit to the appropriate congressional committees 
and the Inspector General of the Department of 
Homeland Security a report that— 
(A) describes the process used to complete 
such security assessment; 
(B) describes the process used to develop the 
risk-based security strategy under subsection 
(b)(1)(A); 
(C) describes such risk-based security strat-
egy; 
(D) includes the management oversight 
strategy under subsection (b)(1)(B); 
(E) includes— 
(i) the findings of such security assess-
ment; 
(ii) a description of the actions rec-
ommended or taken by the Department or 
another Federal department or agency to 
mitigate the vulnerabilities and risks identi-
fied in subsection (a); 
(iii) any recommendations for improv-
ing the coordinated approach to mitigating 
vulnerabilities and risks to surface trans-
portation systems; and 
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(iv) any recommended changes to the 
National Infrastructure Protection Plan de-
veloped pursuant to Homeland Security 
Presidential Directive–7, the modal annexes 
to such plan, or relevant surface transpor-
tation security programs, policies, or initia-
tives; and 
(F) may contain a classified annex. 
(2) PROTECTIONS.—In preparing the report re-
quired under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Home-
land Security shall take appropriate actions to safe-
guard information described by section 552(b) of title 
5, United States Code, or protected from disclosure by 
any other law of the United States. 
(d) UPDATES.—Not less frequently than semiannually, 
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall report to or brief 
the 
appropriate 
congressional 
committees 
on 
the 
vulnerabilities of and risks to surface transportation sys-
tems and how such vulnerabilities and risks affect the risk- 
based security strategy under subsection (b)(1)(A). 
SEC. 573. RISK-BASED BUDGETING AND RESOURCE ALLOCA-
TION. 
(a) REPORT.—In conjunction with the submission of 
the Department’s annual budget request to the Office of 
Management and Budget, the Administrator of the Trans-
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portation Security Administration shall submit to the ap-
propriate congressional committees a report that describes 
a risk-based budget and resource allocation plan for surface 
transportation sectors, within and across modes, that— 
(1) reflects the risk-based security strategy under 
section 572(b)(1)(A); and 
(2) is organized by appropriations account, pro-
gram, project, and initiative. 
(b) BUDGET TRANSPARENCY.—Subsection (a) of sec-
tion 1105 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by 
adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(40) a separate statement clearly distinguishing 
the resources requested for surface transportation se-
curity from the resources requested for aviation secu-
rity.’’. 
(c) RESOURCE REALLOCATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 days after 
the date on which the Transportation Security Ad-
ministration allocates any resources or personnel, in-
cluding personnel sharing, detailing, or assignment, 
or the use of facilities, technology systems, or vetting 
resources, for a non-transportation security purpose 
or National Special Security Event (as defined in 
section 2001 of Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
U.S.C. 601)), the Secretary of Homeland Security 
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shall provide to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees the notification described in paragraph (2). 
(2) NOTIFICATION.—A notification described in 
this paragraph shall include— 
(A) the reason for and a justification of the 
resource or personnel allocation at issue; 
(B) the expected end date of such resource or 
personnel allocation; and 
(C) the projected cost to the Transportation 
Security Administration of such personnel or re-
source allocation. 
SEC. 574. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY MANAGE-
MENT AND INTERAGENCY COORDINATION RE-
VIEW. 
(a) REVIEW.—Not later than one year after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall— 
(1) review the staffing, budget, resource, and per-
sonnel allocation, and management oversight strategy 
of the Transportation Security Administration’s sur-
face transportation security programs; 
(2) review the coordination between relevant en-
tities of leadership, planning, policy, inspections, and 
implementation of security programs relating to sur-
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face transportation to reduce redundancy and regu-
latory burden; and 
(3) submit to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees a report on the findings of the reviews under 
paragraphs (1) and (2), including any recommenda-
tions for improving coordination between relevant en-
tities and reducing redundancy and regulatory bur-
den. 
(b) RELEVANT ENTITIES DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘relevant entities’’ means— 
(1) the Transportation Security Administration; 
(2) other Federal, State, or local departments or 
agencies with jurisdiction over a mode of surface 
transportation; 
(3) critical infrastructure entities; 
(4) the Transportation Systems Sector Coordi-
nating Council; and 
(5) relevant stakeholders. 
SEC. 575. TRANSPARENCY. 
(a) REGULATIONS.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act and every 180 days there-
after, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Ad-
ministration shall make available through a public website 
information regarding the status of each regulation relating 
to surface transportation security that is directed by law 
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to be issued but that has not been issued if more than two 
years have passed since the date of enactment of each such 
law. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and 
every two years thereafter until all of the requirements 
under titles XIII, XIV, and XV of the Implementing Rec-
ommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 
U.S.C. 1111 et seq.) and under this Act have been fully im-
plemented, the Inspector General of the Department of 
Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congres-
sional committees a report that— 
(1) identifies the requirements under such titles 
of such Act and under this Act that have not been 
fully implemented; 
(2) describes what, if any, additional action is 
necessary; and 
(3) includes recommendations regarding whether 
any of such requirements should be amended or re-
pealed. 
SEC. 576. TSA COUNTERTERRORISM ASSET DEPLOYMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Trans-
portation Security Administration is authorized to main-
tain 30 Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response 
(VIPR) teams for deployment, at the request of and in col-
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laboration with Federal, State, and local transportation 
stakeholders, to prevent and deter acts of terrorism against 
United States transportation systems and for other counter-
terrorism purposes. Starting in January 2019 and for five 
years thereafter, the Administrator shall annually assess 
whether the number of VIPR teams is adequate to respond 
to requests for collaboration from Federal, State, and local 
transportation stakeholders and to carry out counterter-
rorism activities with respect to United States transpor-
tation systems. 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION.—If the Adminis-
trator of the Transportation Security Administration deter-
mines that the number of VIPR teams should be reduced 
below 30, the Administrator shall notify the Committee on 
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate not later than 90 days prior to such a deter-
mination. 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 60 days 
after the development and implementation of the perform-
ance measures and objectives required under subsection (f), 
the Administrator of the Transportation Security Adminis-
tration shall report to the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate on 
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the appropriate number of VIPR teams needed by the Ad-
ministration. 
(d) STAKEHOLDER NOTIFICATION.—If the Transpor-
tation Security Administration deploys any counterter-
rorism personnel or resource, such as explosive detection as-
sets, property inspections, or patrols by VIPR teams, to en-
hance security at a surface transportation system or surface 
transportation facility for a period of not less than 180 con-
secutive days, the Administrator shall provide sufficient no-
tification to the system or facility operator, as applicable, 
not less than 14 days prior to terminating the deployment. 
(e) EXCEPTION.—Subsection (d) shall not apply if the 
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administra-
tion— 
(1) determines there is an urgent security need 
for the personnel or resource described in such sub-
section; and 
(2) notifies the Committee on Homeland Secu-
rity of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of 
the Senate. 
(f) VIPR TEAMS.—Section 1303 of the Implementing 
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 
U.S.C. 1112) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (a)(4), by striking ‘‘team,’’ and 
inserting ‘‘team as to specific locations and times 
within the facilities of such entities at which VIPR 
teams are to be deployed to maximize the effectiveness 
of such deployment,’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
following new subsections: 
‘‘(b) PERFORMANCE MEASURES.—Not later than one 
year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the 
Administrator shall develop and implement a system of 
qualitative performance measures and objectives by which 
to assess the roles, activities, and effectiveness of VIPR team 
operations on an ongoing basis, including a mechanism 
through which the transportation entities referred to in sub-
section (a)(4) may submit feedback on VIPR team oper-
ations involving their systems or facilities. 
‘‘(c) PLAN.—Not later than one year after the date of 
the enactment of this section, the Administrator shall de-
velop and implement a plan for ensuring the interoper-
ability of communications among VIPR team participants 
and between VIPR teams and any transportation entities 
with systems or facilities that are involved in VIPR team 
operations. Such plan shall include an analysis of the costs 
and resources required to carry out such plan.’’. 
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SEC. 577. SURFACE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter II of chapter 449 of 
title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 44947. Surface Transportation Security Advisory 
Committee 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the 
Transportation Security Administration (referred to in this 
section as the ‘Administrator’) shall establish within the 
Transportation Security Administration the Surface 
Transportation Security Advisory Committee (referred to 
in this section as the ‘Advisory Committee’). 
‘‘(b) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee 
may advise, consult with, report to, and make rec-
ommendations to the Administrator on surface trans-
portation security matters, including the development, 
refinement, and implementation of policies, programs, 
initiatives, rulemakings, and security directives per-
taining to surface transportation security. 
‘‘(2) 
RISK-BASED
SECURITY.—The 
Advisory 
Committee shall consider risk-based security ap-
proaches in the performance of its duties. 
‘‘(c) MEMBERSHIP.— 
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‘‘(1) COMPOSITION.—The Advisory Committee 
shall be composed of— 
‘‘(A) voting members appointed by the Ad-
ministrator under paragraph (2); and 
‘‘(B) nonvoting members, serving in an ad-
visory capacity, who shall be designated by— 
‘‘(i) the Transportation Security Ad-
ministration; 
‘‘(ii) the Department of Transpor-
tation; and 
‘‘(iii) such other Federal department or 
agency as the Administrator considers ap-
propriate. 
‘‘(2) APPOINTMENT.—The Administrator shall 
appoint voting members from among stakeholders rep-
resenting each mode of surface transportation, such as 
passenger rail, freight rail, mass transit, pipelines, 
highways, over-the-road bus, and trucking, including 
representatives from— 
‘‘(A) associations representing such modes of 
surface transportation; 
‘‘(B) labor organizations representing such 
modes of surface transportation; 
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‘‘(C) groups representing the users of such 
modes of surface transportation, including asset 
manufacturers, as appropriate; 
‘‘(D) relevant law enforcement, first re-
sponders, and security experts; and 
‘‘(E) such other groups as the Adminis-
trator considers appropriate. 
‘‘(3) CHAIRPERSON.—The Advisory Committee 
shall select a chairperson from among its voting mem-
bers. 
‘‘(4) TERM OF OFFICE.— 
‘‘(A) TERMS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The term of each 
voting member of the Advisory Committee 
shall be two years, but a voting member 
may continue to serve until the Adminis-
trator appoints a successor. 
‘‘(ii) 
REAPPOINTMENT.—A 
voting 
member of the Advisory Committee may be 
reappointed. 
‘‘(B) REMOVAL.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator 
may review the participation of a member 
of the Advisory Committee and remove such 
member for cause at any time. 
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‘‘(ii) ACCESS
TO
CERTAIN
INFORMA-
TION.—The Administrator may remove any 
member of the Advisory Committee who the 
Administrator determines should be re-
stricted from reviewing, discussing, or pos-
sessing classified information or sensitive 
security information. 
‘‘(5) PROHIBITION
ON
COMPENSATION.—The 
members of the Advisory Committee may not receive 
any compensation from the Government by reason of 
their service on the Advisory Committee. 
‘‘(6) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall meet at least semiannually in person 
or through web conferencing, and may convene 
additional meetings as necessary. 
‘‘(B) PUBLIC MEETINGS.—At least one of 
the meetings of the Advisory Committee each 
year shall be— 
‘‘(i) announced in the Federal Register; 
‘‘(ii) announced on a public website; 
and 
‘‘(iii) open to the public. 
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‘‘(C) ATTENDANCE.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall maintain a record of the persons 
present at each meeting. 
‘‘(D) MINUTES.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—Unless otherwise 
prohibited by Federal law, minutes of the 
meetings of the Advisory Committee shall be 
published on the public website under sub-
section (e)(5). 
‘‘(ii) PROTECTION OF CLASSIFIED AND 
SENSITIVE
INFORMATION.—The 
Advisory 
Committee may redact or summarize, as 
necessary, minutes of the meetings to protect 
classified information or sensitive security 
information in accordance with law. 
‘‘(7) VOTING MEMBER ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED IN-
FORMATION
AND
SENSITIVE
SECURITY
INFORMA-
TION.— 
‘‘(A) DETERMINATIONS.—Not later than 60 
days after the date on which a voting member is 
appointed to the Advisory Committee but before 
such voting member may be granted any access 
to classified information or sensitive security in-
formation, the Administrator shall determine if 
such voting member should be restricted from re-
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viewing, discussing, or possessing classified in-
formation or sensitive security information. 
‘‘(B) ACCESS.— 
‘‘(i) SENSITIVE
SECURITY
INFORMA-
TION.—If a voting member is not restricted 
from reviewing, discussing, or possessing 
sensitive security information under sub-
paragraph (A) and voluntarily signs a non-
disclosure agreement, such voting member 
may be granted access to sensitive security 
information that is relevant to such voting 
member’s service on the Advisory Com-
mittee. 
‘‘(ii) CLASSIFIED
INFORMATION.—Ac-
cess to classified materials shall be managed 
in accordance with Executive Order 13526 
of December 29, 2009 (75 Fed. Reg. 707), or 
any subsequent corresponding Executive 
order. 
‘‘(C) PROTECTIONS.— 
‘‘(i) SENSITIVE
SECURITY
INFORMA-
TION.—Voting members shall protect sen-
sitive security information in accordance 
with part 1520 of title 49, Code of Federal 
Regulations. 
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‘‘(ii) CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.—Vot-
ing members shall protect classified infor-
mation in accordance with the applicable 
requirements for the particular level of clas-
sification of such information. 
‘‘(8) JOINT COMMITTEE MEETINGS.—The Advi-
sory Committee may meet with one or more of the fol-
lowing advisory committees to discuss multimodal se-
curity issues and other security-related issues of com-
mon concern: 
‘‘(A) Aviation Security Advisory Com-
mittee, established under section 44946 of title 
49, United States Code. 
‘‘(B) Maritime Security Advisory Com-
mittee, established under section 70112 of title 
46, United States Code. 
‘‘(C) Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, 
established by the Federal Railroad Administra-
tion. 
‘‘(9) SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.—The Advisory 
Committee may request the assistance of subject mat-
ter experts with expertise related to the jurisdiction of 
the Advisory Committee. 
‘‘(d) REPORTS.— 
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‘‘(1) PERIODIC REPORTS.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall periodically submit to the Administrator 
reports on matters requested by the Administrator or 
by a majority of the members of the Advisory Com-
mittee. 
‘‘(2) ANNUAL REPORT.— 
‘‘(A) SUBMISSION.—The Advisory Com-
mittee shall submit to the Administrator and the 
Committee on Homeland Security and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Homeland Security and Governmental Af-
fairs and the Committee on Commerce, Science, 
and Transportation of the Senate an annual re-
port that provides information on the activities, 
findings, and recommendations of the Advisory 
Committee during the preceding year. 
‘‘(B) PUBLICATION.—Not later than six 
months after the date that the Administrator re-
ceives an annual report under subparagraph (A), 
the Administrator shall publish a public version 
of such report, in accordance with section 
552a(b) of title 5, United States Code. 
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE.— 
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‘‘(1) CONSIDERATION.—The Administrator shall 
consider the information, advice, and recommenda-
tions of the Advisory Committee in formulating poli-
cies, programs, initiatives, rulemakings, and security 
directives pertaining to surface transportation secu-
rity efforts. 
‘‘(2) FEEDBACK.—Not later than 90 days after 
the date that the Administrator receives a rec-
ommendation from the Advisory Committee under 
subsection (d)(2), the Administrator shall submit to 
the Advisory Committee written feedback on such rec-
ommendation, including— 
‘‘(A) if the Administrator agrees with such 
recommendation, a plan describing the actions 
that the Administrator has taken, will take, or 
recommends that the head of another Federal de-
partment or agency take to implement such rec-
ommendation; or 
‘‘(B) if the Administrator disagrees with 
such recommendation, a justification for such 
disagreement. 
‘‘(3) NOTICES.—Not later than 30 days after the 
date the Administrator submits feedback under para-
graph (2), the Administrator shall— 
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Federal Government department and agency with reg-
ulatory authority over a mode of surface transpor-
tation, as the Administrator of the Transportation 
Security Administration considers appropriate, shall 
designate an appropriate representative to serve as a 
nonvoting member of the Surface Transportation Se-
curity Advisory Committee. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The analysis for chapter 
449 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 44946 the following new 
item: 
‘‘44947. Surface Transportation Security Advisory Committee.’’. 
SEC. 578. REVIEW OF THE EXPLOSIVES DETECTION CANINE 
TEAM PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date that the Inspector General of the Department of Home-
land Security receives the report under section 572(c), the 
Inspector General shall— 
(1) review the explosives detection canine team 
program of the Department, including— 
(A) the development by the Transportation 
Security Administration of a deployment strat-
egy for explosives detection canine teams; 
(B) the national explosives detection canine 
team training program, including canine train-
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ing, handler training, refresher training, and 
updates to such training; and 
(C) the use of the canine assets during an 
urgent security need, including the reallocation 
of such program resources outside the transpor-
tation systems sector during an urgent security 
need; and 
(2) submit to the appropriate congressional com-
mittees a report on such review, including any rec-
ommendations. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—In conducting the review of the 
deployment strategy under subsection (a)(1)(A), the Inspec-
tor General of the Department of Homeland Security shall 
consider whether the Transportation Security Administra-
tion’s method to analyze the risk to transportation facilities 
and transportation systems is appropriate. 
SEC. 579. EXPANSION OF NATIONAL EXPLOSIVES DETEC-
TION CANINE TEAM PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity, where appropriate, shall encourage State, local, and 
tribal governments and private owners of high-risk trans-
portation facilities to strengthen security through the use 
of explosives detection canine teams. 
(b) INCREASED CAPACITY.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Before the date the Inspector 
General of the Department of Homeland Security sub-
mits the report under section 578, the Administrator 
of the Transportation Security Administration may 
increase the number of State and local surface and 
maritime transportation explosives detection canine 
teams by not more than 70 such teams. 
(2) ADDITIONAL TEAMS.—Beginning on the date 
the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland 
Security submits the report under section 578, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security may increase the 
State and local surface and maritime transportation 
explosives detection canine teams by not more than 
200 such teams unless more of such teams are needed 
as identified in the risk-based security strategy under 
section 572(b)(1)(A), consistent with section 573 or 
with the President’s most recent budget submitted 
under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code. 
(3) RECOMMENDATIONS.—Before initiating any 
increase in the number of explosives detection teams 
under paragraph (2), the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity shall consider any recommendations in the re-
port under section 578 on the efficacy and manage-
ment of the explosives detection canine program of the 
Department of Homeland Security. 
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(c) DEPLOYMENT.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity shall— 
(1) use any additional explosives detection ca-
nine teams, as described in subsection (b)(1), as part 
of the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to 
strengthen security across the Nation’s surface and 
maritime transportation systems; 
(2) make available explosives detection canine 
teams to all modes of transportation, subject to the re-
quirements under section 576, to address specific 
vulnerabilities or risks, on an as-needed basis and as 
otherwise determined appropriate by the Secretary; 
and 
(3) consider specific needs and training require-
ments for explosives detection canine teams to be de-
ployed across the Nation’s surface and maritime 
transportation systems, including in venues of mul-
tiple modes of transportation, as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate. 
SEC. 580. EXPLOSIVE DETECTION TECHNOLOGY. 
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prioritize 
the research and facilitation of next generation technologies 
to detect explosives in the Nation’s surface transportation 
systems. 
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SEC. 581. STUDY ON SECURITY STANDARDS AND BEST 
PRACTICES FOR UNITED STATES AND FOR-
EIGN 
PASSENGER 
TRANSPORTATION 
SYS-
TEMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the 
United States shall conduct a study of how the Transpor-
tation Security Administration— 
(1) identifies and compares— 
(A) United States and foreign passenger 
transportation system security standards; and 
(B) best practices for protecting passenger 
transportation systems, including shared ter-
minal facilities, and cyber systems; and 
(2) disseminates to stakeholders the findings 
under paragraph (1). 
(b) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall issue a report that contains— 
(1) the findings of the study conducted under 
subsection (a); and 
(2) any recommendations for improving relevant 
processes or procedures. 
SEC. 582. AMTRAK SECURITY UPGRADES. 
(a) RAILROAD SECURITY ASSISTANCE.—Subsection 
(b) of section 1513 of the Implementing Recommendations 
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of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1163) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the pe-
riod at the end the following: ‘‘, including commu-
nications interoperability where appropriate with rel-
evant outside agencies and entities’’; 
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ‘‘security of’’ 
and inserting ‘‘security and preparedness of’’; 
(3) in paragraph (7), by striking ‘‘security 
threats’’ and inserting ‘‘security threats and pre-
paredness, including connectivity to the National Ter-
rorist Screening Center’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (9), by striking ‘‘and security 
officers’’ and inserting ‘‘, security, and preparedness 
officers’’. 
(b) SPECIFIC PROJECTS.—Subsection (a)(3) of section 
1514 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 
Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1164) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (D) by inserting before the 
semicolon at the end the following: ‘‘, or to connect to 
the National Terrorism Screening Center watchlist’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon; 
(3) in subparagraph (H) by striking the period 
at the end and inserting a semicolon; and 
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(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraphs: 
‘‘(I) 
for 
improvements 
to 
passenger 
verification systems; 
‘‘(J) for improvements to employee and con-
tractor verification systems, including identity 
verification technology; or 
‘‘(K) for improvements to the security of 
Amtrak computer systems, including cybersecu-
rity assessments and programs.’’. 
SEC. 583. STUDY ON SURFACE TRANSPORTATION INSPEC-
TORS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States 
shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
report that— 
(1) identifies any duplication or redundancy be-
tween the Transportation Security Administration 
and the Department of Transportation relating to 
surface transportation security inspections or over-
sight; and 
(2) provides recommendations, if any, relating 
to— 
(A) improvements to the surface transpor-
tation security inspectors program, including— 
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(i) changes in organizational and su-
pervisory structures; 
(ii) coordination procedures to enhance 
consistency; and 
(iii) effectiveness in inspection and 
compliance activities; and 
(B) whether each transportation mode needs 
inspectors trained and qualified for each such 
specific mode. 
SEC. 584. SECURITY AWARENESS PROGRAM. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of the 
Transportation Security Administration shall establish a 
program to promote surface transportation security through 
the training of surface transportation operators and front-
line employees on each of the skills identified in subsection 
(c). 
(b) APPLICATION.—The program established under 
subsection (a) shall apply to all modes of surface transpor-
tation, including public transportation, rail, highway, 
motor carrier, and pipeline. 
(c) TRAINING.—The program established under sub-
section (a) shall cover, at a minimum, the skills necessary 
to observe, assess, and respond to suspicious items or actions 
that could indicate a threat to transportation. 
(d) ASSESSMENT.— 
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(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 
Transportation Security Administration shall con-
duct an assessment of current training programs for 
surface transportation operators and frontline em-
ployees. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The assessment under para-
graph (1) shall identify— 
(A) whether other training is being pro-
vided, either voluntarily or in response to other 
Federal requirements; and 
(B) whether there are any gaps in existing 
training. 
(e) UPDATES.—The Administrator of the Transpor-
tation Security Administration shall ensure the program 
established under subsection (a) is updated as necessary to 
address changes in risk and terrorist methods and to close 
any gaps identified in the assessment under subsection (d). 
(f) SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY REPORTING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall ensure there exists a national mecha-
nism for an individual to use to report to the Depart-
ment of Homeland Security suspicious activity in 
transportation systems. 
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(2) PROCEDURES.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall establish procedures for the Department 
of Homeland Security— 
(A) to review and follow-up, as necessary, 
on each report received under paragraph (1); 
and 
(B) to share, as necessary and in accord-
ance with law, such reports with appropriate 
Federal, State, local, and tribal entities. 
(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this 
section may be construed to— 
(A) replace or affect in any way the use of 
9-1-1 services in an emergency; or 
(B) replace or affect in any way the secu-
rity training program requirements specified in 
sections 1408, 1517, and 1534 of the Imple-
menting Recommendations of the 9/11 Commis-
sion Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1137, 1167, and 
1184; Public Law 110–53). 
(g) FRONTLINE EMPLOYEE DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘‘frontline employee’’ includes— 
(1) an employee of a public transportation agen-
cy who is a transit vehicle driver or operator, dis-
patcher, maintenance and maintenance support em-
ployee, station attendant, customer service employee, 
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security employee, or transit police, or any other em-
ployee who has direct contact with riders on a regular 
basis, and any other employee of a public transpor-
tation agency that the Administrator of the Transpor-
tation Security Administration determines should re-
ceive security training under this section or who is 
receiving security training under other law; 
(2) over-the-road bus drivers, security personnel, 
dispatchers, maintenance and maintenance support 
personnel, ticket agents, other terminal employees, 
and other employees of an over-the-road bus operator 
or terminal owner or operator who the Administrator 
determines should receive security training under this 
section or who is receiving security training under 
other law; or 
(3) security personnel, dispatchers, locomotive 
engineers, conductors, trainmen, other onboard em-
ployees, maintenance and maintenance support per-
sonnel, bridge tenders, and any other employees of 
railroad carriers who the Administrator determines 
should receive security training under this section or 
who is receiving security training under other law. 
SEC. 585. VOLUNTARY USE OF CREDENTIALING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—An individual who is subject to 
credentialing or a background investigation under section 
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341 
5103a of title 49, United States Code, may satisfy such re-
quirement by obtaining a valid transportation security 
card issued under section 70105 of title 46, United States 
Code. 
(b) FEES.—The Secretary of Homeland Security may 
charge reasonable fees, in accordance with section 520(a) 
of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations 
Act, 2004 (6 U.S.C. 469(a)), for providing the necessary 
credentialing and background investigation under this sec-
tion. 
(c) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) 
INDIVIDUAL
WHO
IS
SUBJECT
TO 
CREDENTIALING
OR
A
BACKGROUND
INVESTIGA-
TION.—The term ‘‘individual who is subject to 
credentialing or a background investigation’’ means 
an individual who— 
(A) because of employment is regulated by 
the Transportation Security Administration, De-
partment of Transportation, or Coast Guard and 
is required to have a background records check to 
obtain a hazardous materials endorsement on a 
commercial driver’s license issued by a State 
under section 5103a of title 49, United States 
Code; or 
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(B) is required to have a credential and 
background 
records 
check 
under 
section 
2102(d)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 622(d)(2)) at a facility with activities 
that are regulated by the Transportation Secu-
rity Administration, Department of Transpor-
tation, or Coast Guard. 
(2) VALID
TRANSPORTATION
SECURITY
CARD 
ISSUED UNDER SECTION 70105 OF TITLE 46, UNITED 
STATES CODE.—The term ‘‘valid transportation secu-
rity card issued under section 70105 of title 46, 
United States Code’’ means a transportation security 
card issued under section 70105 of title 46, United 
States Code, that is— 
(A) not expired; 
(B) shows no signs of tampering; and 
(C) bears a photograph of the individual 
representing such card. 
SEC. 586. BACKGROUND RECORDS CHECKS FOR ISSUANCE 
OF HAZMAT LICENSES. 
(a) ISSUANCE OF LICENSES.—Paragraph (1) of section 
5103a(a) of title 49, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘unless’’ and inserting ‘‘unless— 
’’; 
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(2) by striking ‘‘the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(A) the Secretary of Homeland Security’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (A), as designated pursuant 
to paragraph (2) of this subsection, by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; or’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(B) the individual holds a valid transpor-
tation security card issued under section 70105 
of title 46.’’. 
(b) TRANSPORTATION SECURITY CARD.—Paragraph 
(1) of section 5103a(d) of title 49, United States Code, is 
amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
striking ‘‘described in subsection (a)(1)’’ and inserting 
‘‘under subsection (a)(1)(A)’’. 
SEC. 587. RECURRENT VETTING FOR SURFACE TRANSPOR-
TATION CREDENTIAL-HOLDERS. 
Section 70105 of title 46, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
‘‘(r) RECURRENT VETTING.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the 
Secretary shall develop and implement a plan to uti-
lize the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Rap Back 
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Service in order to establish recurrent vetting capa-
bilities for individuals holding valid transportation 
security cards under this section. 
‘‘(2) EXEMPTION.—Individuals holding valid 
transportation security cards under this section who 
are subject to recurrent vetting under the plan to uti-
lize the Rap Back Service referred to in paragraph 
(1) shall be exempt from any recurrent determina-
tions or background checks under this section to which 
such individuals would otherwise be subject every five 
years in the absence of such utilization.’’. 
SEC. 588. PIPELINE SECURITY STUDY. 
(a) STUDY.—The Comptroller General of the United 
States shall conduct a study regarding the roles and respon-
sibilities of the Department of Homeland Security and the 
Department of Transportation with respect to pipeline se-
curity. Such study shall address whether— 
(1) the Annex to the Memorandum of Under-
standing executed on August 9, 2006, between the De-
partment of Homeland Security and the Department 
of Transportation adequately delineates strategic and 
operational responsibilities for pipeline security, in-
cluding whether it is clear which department is re-
sponsible for— 
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(A) protecting against intentional pipeline 
breaches and cyber attacks; 
(B) responding to intentional pipeline 
breaches and cyber attacks; and 
(C) planning to recover from the impact of 
intentional pipeline breaches and cyber attacks; 
(2) the respective roles and responsibilities of 
each department are adequately conveyed to relevant 
stakeholders and to the public; and 
(3) the processes and procedures for determining 
whether a particular pipeline breach is a terrorist in-
cident are clear and effective. 
(b) REPORT ON STUDY.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to the Secretary 
of Homeland Security and the Committee on Homeland Se-
curity and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate 
a report containing the findings of the study conducted 
under subsection (a). 
(c) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 90 days 
after the submission of the report under subsection (b), the 
Secretary of Homeland Security shall review and analyze 
the study and submit to the Committee on Homeland Secu-
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rity and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastruc-
ture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a re-
port on such review and analysis, including any rec-
ommendations for— 
(1) changes to the Annex to the Memorandum of 
Understanding referred to in subsection (a)(1); and 
(2) other improvements to pipeline security ac-
tivities at the Department. 
SEC. 589. REPEAL OF LIMITATION RELATING TO MOTOR 
CARRIER 
SECURITY-SENSITIVE 
MATERIAL 
TRACKING TECHNOLOGY. 
Section 1554 of the Implementing Recommendations 
of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1204) is 
amended by striking subsection (d). 
Subtitle H—Security Enhancements 
in Public Areas of Transpor-
tation Facilities 
SEC. 591. WORKING GROUP. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity may establish a working group to promote collaborative 
engagement between the Department of Homeland Security 
and public and private stakeholders to develop non-binding 
recommendations for enhancing the security in public areas 
of transportation facilities. 
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(b) ANNUAL REPORT.—If the Secretary of Homeland 
Security establishes a working group pursuant to subsection 
(a), not later than one year after such establishment and 
annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary shall report 
on the working group’s organization, participation, activi-
ties, findings, and non-binding recommendations for the 
immediately preceding 12 month period. The Secretary 
may publish a public version describing the working 
group’s activities and such related matters as would be in-
formative to the public, consistent with section 552(b) of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(c) INAPPLICABILITY
OF
THE FEDERAL ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 
U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the working group or any 
subsidiary thereof. 
SEC. 592. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; VULNERABILITY AS-
SESSMENT TOOLS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity shall— 
(1) inform public and private sector stakeholders 
regarding the availability of Department of Home-
land Security technical assistance, including vulner-
ability assessment tools, to help enhance the security 
in public areas of transportation facilities; and 
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Senate a report that includes a review of regulations, direc-
tives, policies, and procedures issued by the Administrator 
regarding the transportation of a firearm and ammunition 
by an aircraft passenger, and, as appropriate, information 
on plans to modify any such regulation, directive, policy, 
or procedure based on such review. 
(b) CONSULTATION.—In preparing the report required 
under subsection (a), the Administrator of the Transpor-
tation Security Administration shall consult with the Avia-
tion Security Advisory Committee (established pursuant to 
section 44946 of title 49, United States Code) and appro-
priate public and private sector stakeholders. 
SEC. 595. DEFINITION. 
In this subtitle, the term ‘‘public and private sector 
stakeholders’’ has the meaning given such term in section 
114(u)(1)(C) of title 49, United States Code. 
TITLE 
VI—EMERGENCY 
PRE-
PAREDNESS, RESPONSE, AND 
COMMUNICATIONS 
Subtitle A—Grants, Training, 
Exercises, and Coordination 
SEC. 601. URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE. 
Section 2003 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 604) is amended— 
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(1) in subsection (b)(2)(A), in the matter pre-
ceding clause (i), by inserting ‘‘, using the most up- 
to-date data available,’’ after ‘‘assessment’’; 
(2) in subsection (d)(2), by amending subpara-
graph (B) to read as follows: 
‘‘(B) FUNDS RETAINED.—To ensure trans-
parency and avoid duplication, a State shall 
provide each relevant high-risk urban area with 
a detailed accounting of the items, services, or 
activities on which any funds retained by the 
State under subparagraph (A) are to be ex-
pended. Such accounting shall be provided not 
later than 90 days after the date of which such 
funds are retained.’’; and 
(3) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the 
following new subsections: 
‘‘(e) THREAT AND HAZARD IDENTIFICATION RISK AS-
SESSMENT AND CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT.—As a condition 
of receiving a grant under this section, each high-risk urban 
area shall submit to the Administrator a threat and hazard 
identification and risk assessment and capability assess-
ment— 
‘‘(1) at such time and in such form as is re-
quired by the Administrator; and 
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‘‘(2) consistent with the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency’s Comprehensive Preparedness 
Guide 201, Second Edition, or such successor docu-
ment or guidance as is issued by the Administrator. 
‘‘(f) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.—The Administrator 
shall make funds provided under this section available for 
use by a recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 
36 months. 
‘‘(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section 
$800,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.’’. 
SEC. 602. STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM. 
Section 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 605) is amended by striking subsection (f) and 
inserting the following new subsections: 
‘‘(f) THREAT AND HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK 
ASSESSMENT AND CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—As a condition of receiving 
a grant under this section, each State shall submit to 
the Administrator a threat and hazard identification 
and risk assessment and capability assessment— 
‘‘(A) at such time and in such form as is 
required by the Administrator; and 
‘‘(B) consistent with the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency’s Comprehensive Prepared-
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ness Guide 201, Second Edition, or such suc-
cessor document or guidance as is issued by the 
Administrator. 
‘‘(2) COLLABORATION.—In developing the threat 
and hazard identification and risk assessment under 
paragraph (1), a State shall solicit input from local 
and tribal governments, including first responders, 
and, as appropriate, non-governmental and private 
sector stakeholders. 
‘‘(3) FIRST RESPONDERS DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘first responders’ includes representa-
tives of local governmental and nongovernmental fire, 
law enforcement, emergency management, and emer-
gency medical personnel. 
‘‘(g) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.—The Administrator 
shall make funds provided under this section available for 
use by a recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 
36 months. 
‘‘(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section 
$600,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.’’. 
SEC. 603. GRANTS TO DIRECTLY ELIGIBLE TRIBES. 
Section 2005 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 606) is amended by— 
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(1) redesignating subsections (h) through (k) as 
subsections (i) through (l), respectively; and 
(2) inserting after subsection (g) the following 
new subsection: 
‘‘(h) PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE.—The Secretary shall 
make funds provided under this section available for use 
by a recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 
months.’’. 
SEC. 604. LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION. 
(a) LAW ENFORCEMENT TERRORISM PREVENTION 
PROGRAM.—Subsection (a) of section 2006 of the Homeland 
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 607) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘States and high-risk 
urban areas expend’’ after ‘‘that’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘is used’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by amending subpara-
graph (I) to read as follows: 
‘‘(I) activities as determined appropriate by 
the Administrator, in coordination with the As-
sistant Secretary for State and Local Law En-
forcement within the Office of Partnership and 
Engagement of the Department, through outreach 
to relevant stakeholder organizations; and’’; and 
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(3) by adding at the end the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(4) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Administrator, in 
coordination with the Assistant Secretary for State 
and Local Law Enforcement, shall report annually 
from fiscal year 2018 through fiscal year 2022 on the 
use of grants under sections 2003 and 2004 for law 
enforcement terrorism prevention activities authorized 
under this section, including the percentage and dol-
lar amount of funds used for such activities and the 
types of projects funded.’’. 
(b) OFFICE FOR STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCE-
MENT.—Subsection (b) section 2006 of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 607) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘Policy Direc-
torate’’ and inserting ‘‘Office of Partnership and En-
gagement’’ 
(2) in paragraph (4)— 
(A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘, 
including through consultation with such agen-
cies regarding Department programs that may 
impact such agencies’’ before the semicolon at the 
end; and 
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘en-
sure’’ and inserting ‘‘certify’’. 
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SEC. 605. PRIORITIZATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) of section 2007 of 
the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 608) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by amending subparagraph (A) to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(A) its population, including consideration 
of domestic and international tourists, com-
muters, and military populations, including 
military populations residing in communities 
outside military installations;’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ‘‘, 
including threat information from other relevant 
Federal agencies and field offices, as appro-
priate’’ before the semicolon at the end; and 
(C) in subparagraph (I), by striking ‘‘tar-
get’’ and inserting ‘‘core’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘target’’ and 
inserting ‘‘core’’. 
(b) REVIEW.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity, through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, shall review and report to the Com-
mittee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Appro-
priations of the House of Representatives and the Com-
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mittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate on the 
risk formula and methodology used to award grants under 
sections 2003 and 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 604 and 605), including a discussion of any 
necessary changes to such formula to ensure grant awards 
are appropriately based on risk. 
(c) COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW.—Not later than 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comp-
troller General of the United States shall review and assess 
the risk formula and methodology used to award grants 
under sections 2003 and 2004 of the Homeland Security 
Act of 2002, including— 
(1) the process utilized by the Department of 
Homeland Security to gather threat information for 
each potential State and high-risk urban area; 
(2) the extent to which such risk formula and 
methodology considers the factors specified in section 
2007 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
608), in particular— 
(A) the extent to which the jurisdiction has 
unmet core capabilities due to resource con-
straints; 
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(B) the degree to which a jurisdiction has 
been able to address capability gaps with pre-
vious grant awards; and 
(C) in the case of a high-risk urban area, 
the extent to which such high-risk urban area in-
cludes— 
(i) incorporated municipalities, coun-
ties, parishes, and Indian tribes within the 
relevant eligible metropolitan area the in-
clusion of which will enhance regional ef-
forts to prevent, prepare for, protect 
against, and respond to acts of terrorism; 
and 
(ii) other local and tribal governments 
in the surrounding area that are likely to be 
called upon to respond to acts of terrorism 
within the high-risk urban area; and 
(3) how grant award amounts are determined. 
SEC. 606. ALLOWABLE USES. 
Section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 
(6 U.S.C. 609) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘target’’ and inserting ‘‘core’’; 
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(B) 
by 
redesignating 
paragraphs 
(6) 
through (14) as paragraphs (8) through (16), re-
spectively; 
(C) in paragraph (5), by inserting before 
the semicolon at the end the following: ‘‘, pro-
vided such purchases align with the Statewide 
Communication Interoperability Plan and are 
coordinated with the Statewide Interoperability 
Coordinator or Statewide interoperability gov-
ernance body of the State of the recipient’’; and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (5) the fol-
lowing new paragraphs: 
‘‘(6) enhancing medical preparedness, medical 
surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities, in-
cluding the development and maintenance of an ini-
tial pharmaceutical stockpile, including medical kits 
and diagnostics sufficient to protect first responders, 
their families, immediate victims, and vulnerable 
populations from a chemical or biological event; 
‘‘(7) enhancing cybersecurity, including pre-
paring for and responding to cybersecurity risks and 
incidents (as such terms are defined in section 227) 
and developing statewide cyber threat information 
analysis and dissemination activities;’’; 
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(E) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated, by 
striking ‘‘Homeland Security Advisory System’’ 
and inserting ‘‘National Terrorism Advisory 
System’’; and 
(F) in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, 
by striking ‘‘3’’ and inserting ‘‘5’’; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (3)(B), by striking 
‘‘(a)(10)’’ and inserting ‘‘(a)(12)’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (4)(B)(i), by striking 
‘‘target’’ and inserting ‘‘core’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ‘‘target’’ and 
‘‘core’’. 
SEC. 607. APPROVAL OF CERTAIN EQUIPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 2008 of the Homeland Se-
curity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609), as amended by this Act, 
is further amended— 
(1) in subsection (f)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘If an applicant’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(1) APPLICATION REQUIREMENT.—If an appli-
cant’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
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‘‘(2) REVIEW
PROCESS.—The Administrator 
shall implement a uniform process for reviewing ap-
plications that, in accordance with paragraph (1), 
contain explanations to use grants provided under 
section 2003 or 2004 to purchase equipment or sys-
tems that do not meet or exceed any applicable na-
tional voluntary consensus standards developed under 
section 647 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Manage-
ment Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 747). 
‘‘(3) FACTORS.—In carrying out the review proc-
ess under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall con-
sider the following: 
‘‘(A) Current or past use of proposed equip-
ment or systems by Federal agencies or the 
Armed Forces. 
‘‘(B) The absence of a national voluntary 
consensus standard for such equipment or sys-
tems. 
‘‘(C) The existence of an international con-
sensus standard for such equipment or systems, 
and whether such equipment or systems meets 
such standard. 
‘‘(D) The nature of the capability gap iden-
tified by the applicant, and how such equipment 
or systems will address such gap. 
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‘‘(E) The degree to which such equipment or 
systems will serve the needs of the applicant bet-
ter than equipment or systems that meet or ex-
ceed existing consensus standards. 
‘‘(F) Any other factor determined appro-
priate by the Administrator.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(g) REVIEW PROCESS.—The Administrator shall im-
plement a uniform process for reviewing applications to use 
grants provided under section 2003 or 2004 to purchase 
equipment or systems not included on the Authorized 
Equipment List maintained by the Administrator.’’. 
(b) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT.—Not later than 
three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security 
shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report 
assessing the implementation of the review process estab-
lished under paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of section 2008 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as added by sub-
section (a) of this section), including information on the 
following: 
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(1) The number of requests to purchase equip-
ment or systems that do not meet or exceed any appli-
cable consensus standard evaluated under such review 
process. 
(2) The capability gaps identified by applicants 
and the number of such requests granted or denied. 
(3) The processing time for the review of such re-
quests. 
SEC. 608. MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle B of title XX of the Home-
land Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 611 et seq.) is amended 
by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 2024. MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH DE-
PARTMENTAL COMPONENTS AND OFFICES. 
‘‘The Administrator shall enter into memoranda of un-
derstanding with the heads of the following departmental 
components and offices delineating the roles and respon-
sibilities of such components and offices regarding the pol-
icy and guidance for grants under section 1406 of the Im-
plementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act 
of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1135), sections 2003 and 2004 of this 
Act, and section 70107 of title 46, United States Code, as 
appropriate: 
‘‘(1) The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection. 
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‘‘(2) The Administrator of the Transportation 
Security Administration. 
‘‘(3) The Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
‘‘(4) The Under Secretary for Intelligence and 
Analysis. 
‘‘(5) The Director of the Office of Emergency 
Communications. 
‘‘(6) The Assistant Secretary for State and Local 
Law Enforcement. 
‘‘(7) The Countering Violent Extremism Coordi-
nator. 
‘‘(8) The Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Lib-
erties. 
‘‘(9) The Chief Medical Officer. 
‘‘(10) The heads of other components or offices of 
the Department, as determined by the Secretary.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in 
section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is 
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2023 
the following new item: 
‘‘Sec. 2024. Memoranda of understanding with departmental components and of-
fices.’’. 
SEC. 609. GRANTS METRICS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—To determine the extent to which 
grants under sections 2003 and 2004 of the Homeland Secu-
rity Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 603 and 604) have closed capa-
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bility gaps identified in State Preparedness Reports re-
quired under subsection (c) of section 652 of the Post- 
Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 
U.S.C. 752; title VI of the Department of Homeland Secu-
rity Appropriations Act, 2007; Public Law 109–295) and 
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments re-
quired under subsections (e) and (f) of such sections 2003 
and 2004, respectively, as added by this Act, from each 
State and high-risk urban area, the Administrator of the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall conduct and 
submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an assess-
ment of information provided in such Reports and Assess-
ments. 
(b) ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS.—The assessment re-
quired under subsection (a) shall include a comparison of 
successive State Preparedness Reports and Threat and Haz-
ard Identification and Risk Assessments that aggregates re-
sults across the States and high-risk urban areas. 
SEC. 610. GRANT MANAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES. 
The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency shall include in the annual Notice of Funding 
Opportunity relating to grants under sections 2003 and 
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