Improve Interoperable Communications for First Responders Act of 2005

Bill: 109-hr-4119
Sponsor: Rep. Paul, Ron [R-TX-14]
Introduced: 2005-10-20 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Boundaries
Communication in medicine
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Cost effectiveness
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency communication systems
Emergency medicine
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to research
Federal law enforcement officers
Federal officials
Federal-Indian relations
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Fire fighters
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Governmental investigations
Grants-in-aid
Health
Health information systems
Information technology
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
Interactive media
International Affairs
Law enforcement officers
Metropolitan areas
Minorities
Native Americans
Paramedical personnel
Police
Police communication systems
Population
Public health
Radio
Radio spectrum allocation
Regional planning
Reprogramming of appropriated funds
Research and development
Research and development facilities
Research centers
Research grants
Risk
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Technology assessment
Terrorism
Urban affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2005-10-20
text: 
Improve Interoperable Communications for First Responders Act of 2005 - Establishes an Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC), headed by a Director, within the Directorate of Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 
 
Requires the OIC Director to: (1) assist the Secretary in developing and implementing the program to enhance public safety interoperable communications at all levels of government; (2) carry out DHS responsibilities and authorities relating to the SAFECOM Program; and (3) conduct extensive, nationwide outreach and foster the development of interoperable communications systems by state, local, and tribal governments and public safety agencies, and by regional consortia.
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary to conduct a nationwide assessment to determine the degree to which communications interoperability has been achieved to date, and to ascertain the remaining needs.
 
Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a comprehensive research and development program to promote communications interoperability among first responders; and (2) make grants to states and eligible regions for initiatives necessary to achieve short-tern or long-term solutions to statewide, regional, national, and where appropriate, international interoperability.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-11-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.
action_date: 2005-11-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science, and Technology.
action_date: 2005-10-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-10-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-10-20
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2005-10-20
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2140)
action_date: 2005-10-20
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-10-20
text: Introduced in House