Homeland Security Technology Improvement Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-1612
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2003-09-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal justice information
Department of Homeland Security
Equipment and supplies
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Law enforcement officers
Police
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Technology assessment
Technology transfer
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2003-09-11
text: 
Homeland Security Technology Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to give the Office for Domestic Preparedness at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsibility for coordinating a multi-agency program allowing for the transfer of homeland security technology, equipment, and information to State and local law enforcement agencies.
 
 Requires the Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness to: (1) identify counterterrorism technologies, equipment, and information by consulting with the DHS's Undersecretary for Science and Technology and State and local law enforcement agencies, establishing an advisory committee, and coordinating with other Federal agencies to maximize effectiveness; (2) make these technologies, equipment, and information available to State and local law enforcement agencies annually; (3) accept and review, in coordination with the advisory committee, applications from State and local law enforcement agencies wishing to acquire such technologies, equipment, and information; and (4) transfer the approved technology, equipment, and information and provide appropriate training while applications are pending. 
 
Limits expenditures for administrative costs to 10 percent of the program budget.

action_date: 2004-02-04
text: 
Homeland Security Technology Improvement Act of 2004 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include, as an element of the program to encourage technological innovation in facilitating the mission of the Department of Homeland Security, the establishment of a multi-agency homeland security technology, equipment, and information transfer program to allow for the transfer of technology, equipment, and information to State and local law enforcement agencies. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, in developing such program, to: (1) in close cooperation with the Office for Domestic Preparedness, conduct research and development of new technologies, surveys and reviews of available appropriate technologies, and tests, evaluations, and demonstrations of new and available technologies that significantly improve the capability of law enforcement agencies in countering terrorist threats; (2) in support of such activities, consult with State and local law enforcement agencies and others, work with the National Institute for Standards and Technology and any other office or agency, and enter into agreements and coordinate with other Federal agencies to maximize the effectiveness of the technologies, equipment, and information; and (3) provide a comprehensive list of available technologies, equipment, and information to the Office of Domestic Preparedness, which shall administer the technology transfer program.
 
 Requires the Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, in coordination with the Under Secretary, to: (1) make counterterrorism technology, equipment, and information available to State and local law enforcement agencies based on the list of available technologies, equipment, and information and the needs identified by the technology transfer advisory committee established by this Act; (2) consult with State and local law enforcement agencies; (3) accept applications from State and local law enforcement agencies that wish to acquire such technologies, equipment, and information to improve their homeland security capabilities and review such applications with the advisory committee; and (4) transfer the approved technology, equipment, and information and provide training to the State or local law enforcement agencies to implement such technology equipment, and information.
 

 
Allows the Director, upon approval of the Secretary, to expand the program to first responders other than law enforcement agencies and to revise the advisory committee accordingly.
 
Limits expenditures for administrative costs to ten percent of the program budget.
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-02-06
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2004-02-06
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2004-02-06
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S596-597; text as passed Senate: CR S596-597)
action_date: 2004-02-04
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S596-597; text as passed Senate: CR S596-597)
action_date: 2003-12-09
text: By Senator Collins from Committee on Governmental Affairs filed written report. Report No. 108-217.
action_date: 2003-12-09
text: By Senator Collins from Committee on Governmental Affairs filed written report. Report No. 108-217.
action_date: 2003-11-25
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 416.
action_date: 2003-11-25
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2003-11-25
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2003-10-22
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2003-09-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2003-09-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11421)
action_date: 2003-09-11
text: Introduced in Senate