Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act
Bill: H.R.1850 | Sponsor: Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. (D-NY)
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory as a science and technology laboratory responsible for testing and evaluating emerging technologies and conducting research and development to assist emergency response providers in preparing for, and protecting against, threats of terrorism.
The laboratory shall (1) conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of current and emerging technologies for emergency response providers, including cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the internet; and (2) act as a technical advisor to emergency response providers.

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 relating to the National 
     Urban Security Technology Laboratory, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Research and Development 
for First Responders Act''.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY.

    (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 new 
section:

``SEC. 322. NATIONAL URBAN SECURITY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Under 
Secretary for Science and Technology, shall designate the laboratory 
described in subsection (b) as an additional laboratory pursuant to the 
authority under section 308(c)(2). Such laboratory shall be used to 
test and evaluate emerging technologies and conduct research and 
development to assist emergency response providers in preparing for, 
and protecting against, threats of terrorism.
    ``(b) Laboratory Described.--The laboratory described in this 
subsection is the laboratory--
            ``(1) known, as of the date of the enactment of this 
        section, as the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory; 
        and
            ``(2) transferred to the Department pursuant to section 
        303(1)(E).
    ``(c) Laboratory Activities.--The National Urban Security 
Technology Laboratory shall--
            ``(1) conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of 
        current and emerging technologies, including, as appropriate, 
        the cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the 
        internet, for emergency response providers;
            ``(2) act as a technical advisor to emergency response 
        providers; and
            ``(3) carry out other such activities as the Secretary 
        determines appropriate.
    ``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
construed as affecting in any manner the authorities or 
responsibilities of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office 
of the Department.''.
    (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 321 the following new item:

``Sec. 322. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.''.

            Passed the House of Representatives July 20, 2021.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.