A bill to establish an intergovernmental grant program to identify and develop homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services to further the homeland security needs of the United States and to address the homeland security needs of  Federal, State, and local governments.

Bill: 108-s-2635
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2004-07-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Collection of accounts
Commerce
Criminal justice information
Data banks
EBB Terrorism
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Equipment and supplies
Federal aid to health facilities
Federal aid to law enforcement
Federal aid to research
Fire departments
Fire fighters
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Health
Information technology
International Affairs
International cooperation
Joint ventures
Law enforcement officers
Medical personnel
Nonprofit organizations
Paramedical personnel
Police
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Surveys
Technological innovations
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the responsibilities of the Office for Domestic Preparedness establishing a program to identify, develop, or modify existing or near term homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services (information) to further the homeland security of the United States and to address the homeland security needs of Federal, State, and local governments.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in developing such program (acting through the Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness), to: (1) assess the homeland security needs of Federal, State, and local governments and first responders and areas where specific homeland security information could address those needs; (2) survey near-term and existing homeland security information developed within the United States and developed within other countries that are highly focused on homeland security issues and that have demonstrated the capability for cooperation with the United States on counterterrorism; and (3) provide grants (directly or through a nonprofit, non-governmental organization) to eligible applicants to develop new, or modify existing, homeland security information to address such needs.
 
Sets forth applicant eligibility, matching, and grant repayment requirements. Directs the Secretary to give priority to those applicants who propose to provide information to Federal, State, and local governments and first responders.
 
Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to assist the Director by reviewing, testing, and evaluating applications or proposals.

action_date: 2004-11-20
text: 
(Sec. 2) Establishes the United States-Israel Homeland Security Grant Program to identify, develop, or modify existing or near term homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services to further the homeland security of the United States and to address the homeland security needs of Federal, State, and local governments.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in carrying out such program, to: (1) assess the homeland security needs of Federal, State, and local governments and first responders and areas where specific homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services could address those needs; (2) survey near-term and existing homeland security information developed within the United States and Israel; and (3) provide grants (directly or through a nonprofit, non-governmental organization) to eligible applicants to develop, manufacture, sell, or otherwise provide homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services to address such needs.
 
Makes eligible for grant funds those applicants who: (1) address one or more identified needs of Federal, State, and local governments and first responders; (2) are organized as joint ventures between U.S.-Israeli entities; and (3) meet other qualifications required by the Secretary.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory board to monitor any grant funds awarded to eligible applicants through nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to require the Government of Israel to contribute an appropriate amount toward a grant-funded project before the disbursement of funds.
 
Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants who propose to market homeland security information, equipment, technologies, or services developed or modified with grant funds to Federal, State, and local governments and first responders.
 
 Authorizes the Secretary to require grant recipients to: (1) make available non-Federal matching contributions of up to 50 percent of the total proposed project cost; and (2) repay the amount of the grant with interest and administrative charges.
 
Authorizes appropriations through FY 2006.

action_date: 2004-11-21
text: 
(Sec. 2) Establishes the United States-Israel Homeland Security Grant Program to identify, develop, or modify existing or near term homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services to further the homeland security of the United States and to address the homeland security needs of Federal, State, and local governments.
 
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, in carrying out such program, to: (1) assess the homeland security needs of Federal, State, and local governments and first responders and areas where specific homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services could address those needs; (2) survey near-term and existing homeland security information developed within the United States and Israel; and (3) provide grants (directly or through a nonprofit, non-governmental organization) to eligible applicants to develop, manufacture, sell, or otherwise provide homeland security information, equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services to address such needs.
 
Makes eligible for grant funds those applicants who: (1) address one or more identified needs of Federal, State, and local governments and first responders; (2) are organized as joint ventures between U.S.-Israeli entities; and (3) meet other qualifications required by the Secretary. 
 
Requires the Secretary to establish an advisory board to monitor any grant funds awarded to eligible applicants through nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to require the Government of Israel to contribute an appropriate amount toward a grant-funded project before the disbursement of funds.
 
Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicants who propose to market homeland security information, equipment, technologies, or services developed or modified with grant funds to Federal, State, and local governments and first responders.
 
 Authorizes the Secretary to require grant recipients to: (1) make available non-Federal matching contributions of up to 50 percent of the total proposed project cost; and (2) repay the amount of the grant with interest and administrative charges.
 
Authorizes appropriations through FY 2006.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-24
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-11-24
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2004-11-24
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2004-11-21
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR 11/20/2004 S11834)
action_date: 2004-11-21
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR 11/20/2004 S11834)
action_date: 2004-11-21
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR 11/20/2004 S11832-11834; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR 11/20/2004 S11832-11833)
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 818.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-420.
action_date: 2004-11-20
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Collins with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 108-420.
action_date: 2004-07-21
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7842)
action_date: 2004-07-08
text: Introduced in Senate