Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-5531
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]
Introduced: 2008-03-05 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Border patrols
Cost effectiveness
Crime and Law Enforcement
Customs administration
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Fissionable materials
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Immigration
Ionizing radiation
Nuclear terrorism
Nuclear weapons
Risk
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Technology assessment
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2008-03-05
text: 
Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enter into an agreement regarding the minimum required functionality for the deployment of advanced spectroscopic portal monitors (ASP) by CBP. 

Sets forth agreement considerations, including that: (1) such a system can always be improved after deployment; (2) there is no upper limit to the functionality that can be incorporated; (3) there are operational differences between primary and secondary screening procedures; (4) delaying deployment to increase functionality may limit the ability to screen passengers and cargo for radiological and nuclear material; and (5) the consequences of radiological or nuclear terrorism would be catastrophic.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop quantitative metrics that consider threats materials, masking scenarios, and cost-benefit analysis to demonstrate the effectiveness of deploying ASP in primary and secondary screening sites.

Permits the Secretary, in determining whether to certify that ASP shows a significant increase in operational effectiveness, to consider: (1) relevant reports on ASP from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published before this Act's enactment; and (2) assessments of ASP by the Independent Review Team lead by the Homeland Security Institute and in consulation with the National Archives.

action_date: 2008-07-30
text: 
Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require: (1) the Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enter into an agreement regarding the minimum required functionality for the deployment of Advanced Spectroscopic Portal monitors (ASP) by CBP; and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide Congress with the signed memorandum of understanding between the Office and CBP. 

Directs the Secretary to develop quantitative metrics that demonstrate any significant increased operational effectiveness of deploying ASP in primary and secondary screening sites. Requires such metrics to include: (1) a quantitative definition of &quot;significant increase in operational effectiveness&quot;; (2) all relevant threat materials; (3) all relevant masking scenarios; and (4) cost-benefit analysis in accordance with the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

Permits the Secretary, in determining whether to certify that ASP shows a significant increase in operational effectiveness, to consider: (1) relevant reports on ASP from the Government Accountability Office (GAO); and (2) assessments of ASP by the Independent Review Team led by the Homeland Security Institute in consultation with the National Archives.

Authorizes appropriations to the Director for FY2009 and for each subsequent fiscal year for the Securing the Cities Initiative.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR 7/29/2008 H7180-7181)
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR 7/29/2008 H7180-7181)
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7596)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Bilirakis objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5531.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7180-7182)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Mr. Thompson (MS) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 487.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 110-764.
action_date: 2008-07-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 110-764.
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology Discharged.
action_date: 2008-03-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology.
action_date: 2008-03-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-03-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-03-05
text: Introduced in House