H. R. 5441—78
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and 
commercial aircraft and satellite remotely sensed imagery. 
(I) The coordination and integration of support from 
the private sector and nongovernmental organizations. 
(J) The safe disposal of debris, including hazardous 
materials, and, when practicable, the recycling of debris. 
(K) The identification of the required surge capacity. 
(L) Specific provisions for the recovery of affected 
geographic areas. 
(c) MISSION ASSIGNMENTS.—To expedite the provision of assist-
ance under the National Response Plan, the President shall ensure 
that the Administrator, in coordination with Federal agencies with 
responsibilities under the National Response Plan, develops 
prescripted mission assignments, including logistics, communica-
tions, mass care, health services, and public safety. 
(d) CERTIFICATION.—The President shall certify on an annual 
basis that each Federal agency with coordinating, primary, or sup-
porting responsibilities under the National Response Plan complies 
with subsections (a) and (b). 
(e) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed 
to limit the authority of the Secretary of Defense with regard 
to—
(1) the command, control, training, planning, equipment, 
exercises, or employment of Department of Defense forces; or 
(2) the allocation of Department of Defense resources. 
SEC. 654. USE OF EXISTING RESOURCES. 
In establishing the national preparedness goal and national 
preparedness system, the Administrator shall use existing prepared-
ness documents, planning tools, and guidelines to the extent prac-
ticable and consistent with this Act. 
CHAPTER 2—ADDITIONAL PREPAREDNESS 
SEC. 661. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE COMPACT GRANTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator may make grants to 
administer the Emergency Management Assistance Compact con-
sented to by the Joint Resolution entitled ‘‘Joint Resolution granting 
the consent of Congress to the Emergency Management Assistance 
Compact’’ (Public Law 104–321; 110 Stat. 3877). 
(b) USES.—A grant under this section shall be used—
(1) to carry out recommendations identified in the Emer-
gency Management Assistance Compact after-action reports for 
the 2004 and 2005 hurricane season; 
(2) to administer compact operations on behalf of all 
member States and territories; 
(3) to continue coordination with the Agency and appro-
priate Federal agencies; 
(4) to continue coordination with State, local, and tribal 
government entities and their respective national organizations; 
and 
(5) to assist State and local governments, emergency 
response providers, and organizations representing such pro-
viders with credentialing emergency response providers and 
the typing of emergency response resources. 
(c) COORDINATION.—The Administrator shall consult with the 
Administrator of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact
H. R. 5441—79
to ensure effective coordination of efforts in responding to requests 
for assistance. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this section $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2008. Such 
sums shall remain available until expended. 
SEC. 662. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE GRANTS. 
There is authorized to be appropriated for the Emergency 
Management Performance Grants Program for fiscal year 2008, 
an amount equal to the amount appropriated for the program 
for fiscal year 2007 and an additional $175,000,000. 
SEC. 663. TRANSFER OF NOBLE TRAINING CENTER. 
The Noble Training Center is transferred to the Center for 
Domestic Preparedness. The Center for Domestic Preparedness 
shall integrate the Noble Training Center into the program struc-
ture of the Center for Domestic Preparedness. 
SEC. 664. NATIONAL EXERCISE SIMULATION CENTER. 
The President shall establish a national exercise simulation 
center that—
(1) uses a mix of live, virtual, and constructive simulations 
to—
(A) prepare elected officials, emergency managers, 
emergency response providers, and emergency support pro-
viders at all levels of government to operate cohesively; 
(B) provide a learning environment for the homeland 
security personnel of all Federal agencies; 
(C) assist in the development of operational procedures 
and exercises, particularly those based on catastrophic 
incidents; and 
(D) allow incident commanders to exercise decision-
making in a simulated environment; and 
(2) uses modeling and simulation for training, exercises, 
and command and control functions at the operational level. 
Subtitle D—Emergency Communications 
SEC. 671. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the ‘‘21st Cen-
tury Emergency Communications Act of 2006’’. 
(b) IN GENERAL.—The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
title: 
‘‘TITLE XVIII—EMERGENCY 
COMMUNICATIONS 
‘‘SEC. 1801. OFFICE OF EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in the Department an 
Office of Emergency Communications. 
‘‘(b) DIRECTOR.—The head of the office shall be the Director 
for Emergency Communications. The Director shall report to the 
Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications.
H. R. 5441—80
‘‘(c) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director for Emergency Commu-
nications shall—
‘‘(1) assist the Secretary in developing and implementing 
the program described in section 7303(a)(1) of the Intelligence 
Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 
194(a)(1)), except as provided in section 314; 
‘‘(2) administer the Department’s responsibilities and 
authorities relating to the SAFECOM Program, excluding ele-
ments related to research, development, testing, and evaluation 
and standards; 
‘‘(3) administer the Department’s responsibilities and 
authorities relating to the Integrated Wireless Network pro-
gram; 
‘‘(4) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach to support and 
promote the ability of emergency response providers and rel-
evant government officials to continue to communicate in the 
event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-
made disasters; 
‘‘(5) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach and foster the 
development 
of 
interoperable 
emergency 
communications 
capabilities by State, regional, local, and tribal governments 
and public safety agencies, and by regional consortia thereof; 
‘‘(6) provide technical assistance to State, regional, local, 
and tribal government officials with respect to use of interoper-
able emergency communications capabilities; 
‘‘(7) coordinate with the Regional Administrators regarding 
the 
activities 
of 
Regional 
Emergency 
Communications 
Coordination Working Groups under section 1805; 
‘‘(8) promote the development of standard operating proce-
dures and best practices with respect to use of interoperable 
emergency communications capabilities for incident response, 
and facilitate the sharing of information on such best practices 
for achieving, maintaining, and enhancing interoperable emer-
gency communications capabilities for such response; 
‘‘(9) coordinate, in cooperation with the National Commu-
nications System, the establishment of a national response 
capability with initial and ongoing planning, implementation, 
and training for the deployment of communications equipment 
for relevant State, local, and tribal governments and emergency 
response providers in the event of a catastrophic loss of local 
and regional emergency communications services; 
‘‘(10) assist the President, the National Security Council, 
the Homeland Security Council, and the Director of the Office 
of Management and Budget in ensuring the continued operation 
of the telecommunications functions and responsibilities of the 
Federal Government, excluding spectrum management; 
‘‘(11) establish, in coordination with the Director of the 
Office for Interoperability and Compatibility, requirements for 
interoperable emergency communications capabilities, which 
shall be nonproprietary where standards for such capabilities 
exist, for all public safety radio and data communications sys-
tems and equipment purchased using homeland security assist-
ance administered by the Department, excluding any alert and 
warning device, technology, or system; 
‘‘(12) review, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary 
for Grants and Training, all interoperable emergency commu-
nications plans of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments,
H. R. 5441—81
including Statewide and tactical interoperability plans, devel-
oped pursuant to homeland security assistance administered 
by the Department, but excluding spectrum allocation and 
management related to such plans; 
‘‘(13) develop and update periodically, as appropriate, a 
National Emergency Communications Plan under section 1802; 
‘‘(14) perform such other duties of the Department nec-
essary to support and promote the ability of emergency response 
providers and relevant government officials to continue to 
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, 
and other man-made disasters; and 
‘‘(15) perform other duties of the Department necessary 
to achieve the goal of and maintain and enhance interoperable 
emergency communications capabilities. 
‘‘(d) PERFORMANCE OF PREVIOUSLY TRANSFERRED FUNCTIONS.—
The Secretary shall transfer to, and administer through, the 
Director for Emergency Communications the following programs 
and responsibilities: 
‘‘(1) The SAFECOM Program, excluding elements related 
to research, development, testing, and evaluation and stand-
ards. 
‘‘(2) The responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer 
related to the implementation of the Integrated Wireless Net-
work. 
‘‘(3) The Interoperable Communications Technical Assist-
ance Program. 
‘‘(e) COORDINATION.—The Director for Emergency Communica-
tions shall coordinate—
‘‘(1) as appropriate, with the Director of the Office for 
Interoperability and Compatibility with respect to the respon-
sibilities described in section 314; and 
‘‘(2) with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency with respect to the responsibilities 
described in this title. 
‘‘(f) SUFFICIENCY OF RESOURCES PLAN.—
‘‘(1) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the resources and staff necessary to carry 
out fully the responsibilities under this title. 
‘‘(2) COMPTROLLER
GENERAL
REVIEW.—The Comptroller 
General shall review the validity of the report submitted by 
the Secretary under paragraph (1). Not later than 60 days 
after the date on which such report is submitted, the Comp-
troller General shall submit to Congress a report containing 
the findings of such review. 
‘‘SEC. 1802. NATIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Director 
for Emergency Communications, and in cooperation with the 
Department of National Communications System (as appropriate), 
shall, in cooperation with State, local, and tribal governments, 
Federal departments and agencies, emergency response providers, 
and the private sector, develop not later than 180 days after the 
completion of the baseline assessment under section 1803, and 
periodically update, a National Emergency Communications Plan 
to provide recommendations regarding how the United States 
should—
H. R. 5441—82
‘‘(1) support and promote the ability of emergency response 
providers and relevant government officials to continue to 
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, 
and other man-made disasters; and 
‘‘(2) ensure, accelerate, and attain interoperable emergency 
communications nationwide. 
‘‘(b) 
COORDINATION.—The 
Emergency 
Communications 
Preparedness Center under section 1806 shall coordinate the 
development of the Federal aspects of the National Emergency 
Communications Plan. 
‘‘(c) CONTENTS.—The National Emergency Communications 
Plan shall—
‘‘(1) include recommendations developed in consultation 
with the Federal Communications Commission and the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology for a process 
for expediting national voluntary consensus standards for emer-
gency communications equipment for the purchase and use 
by public safety agencies of interoperable emergency commu-
nications equipment and technologies; 
‘‘(2) identify the appropriate capabilities necessary for 
emergency response providers and relevant government officials 
to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, 
acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; 
‘‘(3) identify the appropriate interoperable emergency 
communications capabilities necessary for Federal, State, local, 
and tribal governments in the event of natural disasters, acts 
of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; 
‘‘(4) recommend both short-term and long-term solutions 
for ensuring that emergency response providers and relevant 
government officials can continue to communicate in the event 
of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made 
disasters; 
‘‘(5) recommend both short-term and long-term solutions 
for deploying interoperable emergency communications systems 
for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments throughout 
the Nation, including through the provision of existing and 
emerging technologies; 
‘‘(6) identify how Federal departments and agencies that 
respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-
made disasters can work effectively with State, local, and tribal 
governments, in all States, and with other entities; 
‘‘(7) identify obstacles to deploying interoperable emergency 
communications capabilities nationwide and recommend short-
term and long-term measures to overcome those obstacles, 
including recommendations for multijurisdictional coordination 
among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments; 
‘‘(8) recommend goals and timeframes for the deployment 
of emergency, command-level communications systems based 
on new and existing equipment across the United States and 
develop a timetable for the deployment of interoperable emer-
gency communications systems nationwide; and 
‘‘(9) recommend appropriate measures that emergency 
response providers should employ to ensure the continued oper-
ation of relevant governmental communications infrastructure 
in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other 
man-made disasters.
H. R. 5441—83
‘‘SEC. 1803. ASSESSMENTS AND REPORTS. 
‘‘(a) BASELINE ASSESSMENT.—Not later than 1 year after the 
date of enactment of this section and not less than every 5 years 
thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Director for Emergency 
Communications, shall conduct an assessment of Federal, State, 
local, and tribal governments that—
‘‘(1) defines the range of capabilities needed by emergency 
response providers and relevant government officials to con-
tinue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts 
of terrorism, and other man-made disasters; 
‘‘(2) defines the range of interoperable emergency commu-
nications capabilities needed for specific events; 
‘‘(3) assesses the current available capabilities to meet such 
communications needs; 
‘‘(4) identifies the gap between such current capabilities 
and defined requirements; and 
‘‘(5) includes a national interoperable emergency commu-
nications inventory to be completed by the Secretary of Home-
land Security, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chairman 
of the Federal Communications Commission that—
‘‘(A) identifies for each Federal department and 
agency—
‘‘(i) the channels and frequencies used; 
‘‘(ii) the nomenclature used to refer to each channel 
or frequency used; and 
‘‘(iii) the types of communications systems and 
equipment used; and 
‘‘(B) identifies the interoperable emergency communica-
tions systems in use by public safety agencies in the United 
States. 
‘‘(b) CLASSIFIED ANNEX.—The baseline assessment under this 
section may include a classified annex including information pro-
vided under subsection (a)(5)(A). 
‘‘(c) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—In conducting the baseline assessment 
under this section, the Secretary may incorporate findings from 
assessments conducted before, or ongoing on, the date of enactment 
of this title. 
‘‘(d) PROGRESS REPORTS.—Not later than one year after the 
date of enactment of this section and biennially thereafter, the 
Secretary, acting through the Director for Emergency Communica-
tions, shall submit to Congress a report on the progress of the 
Department in achieving the goals of, and carrying out its respon-
sibilities under, this title, including—
‘‘(1) a description of the findings of the most recent baseline 
assessment conducted under subsection (a); 
‘‘(2) a determination of the degree to which interoperable 
emergency communications capabilities have been attained to 
date and the gaps that remain for interoperability to be 
achieved; 
‘‘(3) an evaluation of the ability to continue to communicate 
and to provide and maintain interoperable emergency commu-
nications by emergency managers, emergency response pro-
viders, and relevant government officials in the event of—
‘‘(A) natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-
made disasters, including Incidents of National Significance 
declared by the Secretary under the National Response 
Plan; and
H. R. 5441—84
‘‘(B) a catastrophic loss of local and regional commu-
nications services; 
‘‘(4) a list of best practices relating to the ability to continue 
to communicate and to provide and maintain interoperable 
emergency communications in the event of natural disasters, 
acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters; and 
‘‘(A) an evaluation of the feasibility and desirability 
of the Department developing, on its own or in conjunction 
with the Department of Defense, a mobile communications 
capability, modeled on the Army Signal Corps, that could 
be deployed to support emergency communications at the 
site of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-
made disasters. 
‘‘SEC. 1804. COORDINATION OF DEPARTMENT EMERGENCY COMMU-
NICATIONS GRANT PROGRAMS. 
‘‘(a) COORDINATION OF GRANTS AND STANDARDS PROGRAMS.—
The Secretary, acting through the Director for Emergency Commu-
nications, shall ensure that grant guidelines for the use of homeland 
security assistance administered by the Department relating to 
interoperable emergency communications are coordinated and con-
sistent with the goals and recommendations in the National Emer-
gency Communications Plan under section 1802. 
‘‘(b) DENIAL OF ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANTS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Assist-
ant Secretary for Grants and Planning, and in consultation 
with the Director for Emergency Communications, may prohibit 
any State, local, or tribal government from using homeland 
security assistance administered by the Department to achieve, 
maintain, or enhance emergency communications capabilities, 
if—
‘‘(A) such government has not complied with the 
requirement to submit a Statewide Interoperable Commu-
nications Plan as required by section 7303(f) of the Intel-
ligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6 
U.S.C. 194(f)); 
‘‘(B) such government has proposed to upgrade or pur-
chase new equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed 
any applicable national voluntary consensus standards and 
has not provided a reasonable explanation of why such 
equipment or systems will serve the needs of the applicant 
better than equipment or systems that meet or exceed 
such standards; and 
‘‘(C) as of the date that is 3 years after the date 
of the completion of the initial National Emergency 
Communications Plan under section 1802, national vol-
untary consensus standards for interoperable emergency 
communications capabilities have not been developed and 
promulgated. 
‘‘(2) STANDARDS.—The Secretary, in coordination with the 
Federal Communications Commission, the National Institute 
of Standards and Technology, and other Federal departments 
and agencies with responsibility for standards, shall support 
the development, promulgation, and updating as necessary of 
national voluntary consensus standards for interoperable emer-
gency communications.
H. R. 5441—85
‘‘SEC. 1805. REGIONAL EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS COORDINA-
TION. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established in each Regional Office 
a Regional Emergency Communications Coordination Working 
Group (in this section referred to as an ‘RECC Working Group’). 
Each RECC Working Group shall report to the relevant Regional 
Administrator and coordinate its activities with the relevant 
Regional Advisory Council. 
‘‘(b) MEMBERSHIP.—Each RECC Working Group shall consist 
of the following: 
‘‘(1) 
NON-FEDERAL.—Organizations 
representing 
the 
interests of the following: 
‘‘(A) State officials. 
‘‘(B) Local government officials, including sheriffs. 
‘‘(C) State police departments. 
‘‘(D) Local police departments. 
‘‘(E) Local fire departments. 
‘‘(F) Public safety answering points (9–1–1 services). 
‘‘(G) State emergency managers, homeland security 
directors, or representatives of State Administrative Agen-
cies. 
‘‘(H) Local emergency managers or homeland security 
directors. 
‘‘(I) Other emergency response providers as appro-
priate. 
‘‘(2) FEDERAL.—Representatives from the Department, the 
Federal Communications Commission, and other Federal 
departments and agencies with responsibility for coordinating 
interoperable emergency communications with or providing 
emergency support services to State, local, and tribal govern-
ments. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—Each RECC Working Group shall coordi-
nate its activities with the following: 
‘‘(1) Communications equipment manufacturers and ven-
dors (including broadband data service providers). 
‘‘(2) Local exchange carriers. 
‘‘(3) Local broadcast media. 
‘‘(4) Wireless carriers. 
‘‘(5) Satellite communications services. 
‘‘(6) Cable operators. 
‘‘(7) Hospitals. 
‘‘(8) Public utility services. 
‘‘(9) Emergency evacuation transit services. 
‘‘(10) Ambulance services. 
‘‘(11) HAM and amateur radio operators. 
‘‘(12) Representatives from other private sector entities and 
nongovernmental organizations as the Regional Administrator 
determines appropriate. 
‘‘(d) DUTIES.—The duties of each RECC Working Group shall 
include—
‘‘(1) assessing the survivability, sustainability, and inter-
operability of local emergency communications systems to meet 
the goals of the National Emergency Communications Plan; 
‘‘(2) reporting annually to the relevant Regional Adminis-
trator, the Director for Emergency Communications, the Chair-
man of the Federal Communications Commission, and the 
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of
H. R. 5441—86
the Department of Commerce on the status of its region in 
building robust and sustainable interoperable voice and data 
emergency communications networks and, not later than 60 
days after the completion of the initial National Emergency 
Communications Plan under section 1802, on the progress of 
the region in meeting the goals of such plan; 
‘‘(3) ensuring a process for the coordination of effective 
multijurisdictional, multi-agency emergency communications 
networks for use during natural disasters, acts of terrorism, 
and other man-made disasters through the expanded use of 
emergency management and public safety communications 
mutual aid agreements; and 
‘‘(4) coordinating the establishment of Federal, State, local, 
and tribal support services and networks designed to address 
the immediate and critical human needs in responding to nat-
ural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. 
‘‘SEC. 1806. EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS PREPAREDNESS CENTER. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Emergency 
Communications Preparedness Center (in this section referred to 
as the ‘Center’). 
‘‘(b) OPERATION.—The Secretary, the Chairman of the Federal 
Communications Commission, the Secretary of Defense, the Sec-
retary of Commerce, the Attorney General of the United States, 
and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies or their 
designees shall jointly operate the Center in accordance with the 
Memorandum of Understanding entitled, ‘Emergency Communica-
tions Preparedness Center (ECPC) Charter’. 
‘‘(c) FUNCTIONS.—The Center shall—
‘‘(1) serve as the focal point for interagency efforts and 
as a clearinghouse with respect to all relevant intergovern-
mental information to support and promote (including specifi-
cally by working to avoid duplication, hindrances, and counter-
active efforts among the participating Federal departments and 
agencies)—
‘‘(A) the ability of emergency response providers and 
relevant government officials to continue to communicate 
in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and 
other man-made disasters; and 
‘‘(B) interoperable emergency communications; 
‘‘(2) prepare and submit to Congress, on an annual basis, 
a strategic assessment regarding the coordination efforts of 
Federal departments and agencies to advance—
‘‘(A) the ability of emergency response providers and 
relevant government officials to continue to communicate 
in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and 
other man-made disasters; and 
‘‘(B) interoperable emergency communications; 
‘‘(3) consider, in preparing the strategic assessment under 
paragraph (2), the goals stated in the National Emergency 
Communications Plan under section 1802; and 
‘‘(4) perform such other functions as are provided in the 
Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (ECPC) 
Charter described in subsection (b)(1).
H. R. 5441—87
‘‘SEC. 1807. URBAN AND OTHER HIGH RISK AREA COMMUNICATIONS 
CAPABILITIES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and the 
Secretary of Defense, and with appropriate State, local, and tribal 
government officials, shall provide technical guidance, training, and 
other assistance, as appropriate, to support the rapid establishment 
of consistent, secure, and effective interoperable emergency commu-
nications capabilities in the event of an emergency in urban and 
other areas determined by the Secretary to be at consistently high 
levels of risk from natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other 
man-made disasters. 
‘‘(b) MINIMUM
CAPABILITIES.—The interoperable emergency 
communications capabilities established under subsection (a) shall 
ensure the ability of all levels of government, emergency response 
providers, the private sector, and other organizations with emer-
gency response capabilities—
‘‘(1) to communicate with each other in the event of an 
emergency; 
‘‘(2) to have appropriate and timely access to the Informa-
tion Sharing Environment described in section 1016 of the 
National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C. 
321); and 
‘‘(3) to be consistent with any applicable State or Urban 
Area homeland strategy or plan. 
‘‘SEC. 1808. DEFINITION. 
‘‘In this title, the term ‘interoperable’ has the meaning given 
the term ‘interoperable communications’ under section 7303(g)(1) 
of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 
(6 U.S.C. 194(g)(1)).’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in section 
1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘‘TITLE XVIII—EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS 
‘‘Sec. 1801. Office for Emergency Communications. 
‘‘Sec. 1802. National Emergency Communications Plan. 
‘‘Sec. 1803. Assessments and reports. 
‘‘Sec. 1804. Coordination of Federal emergency communications grant programs. 
‘‘Sec. 1805. Regional emergency communications coordination. 
‘‘Sec. 1806. Emergency Communications Preparedness Center. 
‘‘Sec. 1807. Urban and other high risk area communications capabilities. 
‘‘Sec. 1808. Definition.’’.
SEC. 672. OFFICE FOR INTEROPERABILITY AND COMPATIBILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 314. OFFICE FOR INTEROPERABILITY AND COMPATIBILITY. 
‘‘(a) CLARIFICATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Director of the 
Office for Interoperability and Compatibility shall—
‘‘(1) assist the Secretary in developing and implementing 
the science and technology aspects of the program described 
in subparagraphs (D), (E), (F), and (G) of section 7303(a)(1) 
of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 
2004 (6 U.S.C. 194(a)(1));
H. R. 5441—88
‘‘(2) in coordination with the Federal Communications 
Commission, the National Institute of Standards and Tech-
nology, and other Federal departments and agencies with 
responsibility for standards, support the creation of national 
voluntary consensus standards for interoperable emergency 
communications; 
‘‘(3) establish a comprehensive research, development, 
testing, and evaluation program for improving interoperable 
emergency communications; 
‘‘(4) establish, in coordination with the Director for Emer-
gency Communications, requirements for interoperable emer-
gency communications capabilities, which shall be nonpropri-
etary where standards for such capabilities exist, for all public 
safety radio and data communications systems and equipment 
purchased using homeland security assistance administered by 
the Department, excluding any alert and warning device, tech-
nology, or system; 
‘‘(5) carry out the Department’s responsibilities and 
authorities relating to research, development, testing, evalua-
tion, or standards-related elements of the SAFECOM Program; 
‘‘(6) evaluate and assess new technology in real-world 
environments to achieve interoperable emergency communica-
tions capabilities; 
‘‘(7) encourage more efficient use of existing resources, 
including equipment, to achieve interoperable emergency 
communications capabilities; 
‘‘(8) test public safety communications systems that are 
less prone to failure, support new nonvoice services, use spec-
trum more efficiently, and cost less than existing systems; 
‘‘(9) coordinate with the private sector to develop solutions 
to improve emergency communications capabilities and achieve 
interoperable emergency communications capabilities; and 
‘‘(10) conduct pilot projects, in coordination with the 
Director for Emergency Communications, to test and dem-
onstrate technologies, including data and video, that enhance—
‘‘(A) the ability of emergency response providers and 
relevant government officials to continue to communicate 
in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and 
other man-made disasters; and 
‘‘(B) interoperable emergency communications capabili-
ties. 
‘‘(b) COORDINATION.—The Director of the Office for Interoper-
ability and Compatibility shall coordinate with the Director for 
Emergency Communications with respect to the SAFECOM pro-
gram. 
‘‘(c) SUFFICIENCY OF RESOURCES.—The Secretary shall provide 
the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility the resources and 
staff necessary to carry out the responsibilities under this section.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in section 
1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) 
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 313 
the following:
‘‘Sec. 314. Office for Interoperability and Compatibility.’’.
H. R. 5441—89
SEC. 
673. 
EMERGENCY 
COMMUNICATIONS 
INTEROPERABILITY 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 
315. 
EMERGENCY 
COMMUNICATIONS 
INTEROPERABILITY 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Under Secretary for Science and Tech-
nology, acting through the Director of the Office for Interoperability 
and Compatibility, shall establish a comprehensive research and 
development program to support and promote—
‘‘(1) the ability of emergency response providers and rel-
evant government officials to continue to communicate in the 
event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-
made disasters; and 
‘‘(2) interoperable emergency communications capabilities 
among emergency response providers and relevant government 
officials, including by—
‘‘(A) supporting research on a competitive basis, 
including through the Directorate of Science and Tech-
nology and Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects 
Agency; and 
‘‘(B) considering the establishment of a Center of Excel-
lence under the Department of Homeland Security Centers 
of Excellence Program focused on improving emergency 
response providers’ communication capabilities. 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the program established under 
subsection (a) include—
‘‘(1) supporting research, development, testing, and evalua-
tion on emergency communication capabilities; 
‘‘(2) understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the 
public safety communications systems in use; 
‘‘(3) examining how current and emerging technology can 
make emergency response providers more effective, and how 
Federal, State, local, and tribal government agencies can use 
this technology in a coherent and cost-effective manner; 
‘‘(4) investigating technologies that could lead to long-term 
advancements in emergency communications capabilities and 
supporting research on advanced technologies and potential 
systemic changes to dramatically improve emergency commu-
nications; and 
‘‘(5) evaluating and validating advanced technology con-
cepts, and facilitating the development and deployment of inter-
operable emergency communication capabilities. 
‘‘(c) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the term ‘inter-
operable’, with respect to emergency communications, has the 
meaning given the term in section 1808.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of contents in section 
1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) 
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 314, 
as added by this Act, the following:
‘‘Sec. 315. Emergency communications interoperability research and development.’’.
H. R. 5441—90
SEC. 674. 911 AND E911 SERVICES REPORT. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission 
shall submit a report to Congress on the status of efforts of State, 
local, and tribal governments to develop plans for rerouting 911 
and E911 services in the event that public safety answering points 
are disabled during natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other 
man-made disasters. 
SEC. 675. SAVINGS CLAUSE. 
Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to transfer to the 
Office of Emergency Communications any function, personnel, asset, 
component, authority, grant program, or liability of the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency as constituted on June 1, 2006. 
Subtitle E—Stafford Act Amendments 
SEC. 681. GENERAL FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. 
(a) MAJOR DISASTERS.—Section 402 of the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170a) 
is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘efforts’’ and inserting 
‘‘response or recovery efforts, including precautionary evacu-
ations’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the semicolon and inserting 
‘‘, including precautionary evacuations and recovery;’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3)—
(A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end; 
and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(F) recovery activities, including disaster impact 
assessments and planning;’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting 
‘‘; and’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(5) provide accelerated Federal assistance and Federal 
support where necessary to save lives, prevent human suffering, 
or mitigate severe damage, which may be provided in the 
absence of a specific request and in which case the President—
‘‘(A) shall, to the fullest extent practicable, promptly 
notify and coordinate with officials in a State in which 
such assistance or support is provided; and 
‘‘(B) shall not, in notifying and coordinating with a 
State under subparagraph (A), delay or impede the rapid 
deployment, use, and distribution of critical resources to 
victims of a major disaster.’’. 
(b) EMERGENCIES.—Section 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Dis-
aster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5192) is 
amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking the semicolon and 
inserting ‘‘, including precautionary evacuations;’’; 
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking ‘‘and’’ after the semi-
colon; 
(C) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and 
inserting ‘‘; and’’; and
H. R. 5441—91
(D) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) provide accelerated Federal assistance and Federal 
support where necessary to save lives, prevent human suffering, 
or mitigate severe damage, which may be provided in the 
absence of a specific request and in which case the President—
‘‘(A) shall, to the fullest extent practicable, promptly 
notify and coordinate with a State in which such assistance 
or support is provided; and 
‘‘(B) shall not, in notifying and coordinating with a 
State under subparagraph (A), delay or impede the rapid 
deployment, use, and distribution of critical resources to 
victims of an emergency.’’; 
(2) in subsection (b), by striking the period and inserting 
‘‘, including precautionary evacuations.’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) GUIDELINES.—The President shall promulgate and maintain 
guidelines to assist Governors in requesting the declaration of an 
emergency in advance of a natural or man-made disaster (including 
for the purpose of seeking assistance with special needs and other 
evacuation efforts) under this section by defining the types of assist-
ance available to affected States and the circumstances under which 
such requests are likely to be approved.’’. 
SEC. 682. NATIONAL DISASTER RECOVERY STRATEGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator, in coordination with the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Agri-
culture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the Treasury, 
the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the Small 
Business Administration, the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs 
of the Department of the Interior, and the heads of other appro-
priate Federal agencies, State, local, and tribal government officials 
(including through the National Advisory Council), and representa-
tives of appropriate nongovernmental organizations shall develop, 
coordinate, and maintain a National Disaster Recovery Strategy 
to serve as a guide to recovery efforts after major disasters and 
emergencies. 
(b) CONTENTS.—The National Disaster Recovery Strategy 
shall—
(1) outline the most efficient and cost-effective Federal 
programs that will meet the recovery needs of States, local 
and tribal governments, and individuals and households 
affected by a major disaster; 
(2) clearly define the role, programs, authorities, and 
responsibilities of each Federal agency that may be of assistance 
in providing assistance in the recovery from a major disaster; 
(3) promote the use of the most appropriate and cost-
effective building materials (based on the hazards present in 
an area) in any area affected by a major disaster, with the 
goal of encouraging the construction of disaster-resistant 
buildings; and 
(4) describe in detail the programs that may be offered 
by the agencies described in paragraph (2), including—
(A) discussing funding issues; 
(B) detailing how responsibilities under the National 
Disaster Recovery Strategy will be shared; and