Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act

Bill: 111-hr-730
Sponsor: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29]
Introduced: 2009-01-27 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Education programs funding
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Higher education
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Nuclear weapons
Radioactive wastes and releases
Science and engineering education
Student aid and college costs
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: 
Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) pursue bilateral and multilateral international agreements to establish an international framework for determining the source of any confiscated nuclear or radiological material or weapon, as well as the source of any detonated weapon and the nuclear or radiological material used in such a weapon; (2) develop protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information relating to nuclear or radiological materials and samples of controlled nuclear or radiological materials to the extent required by such agreements; and (3) develop expedited protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information needed to publicly identify the source of a nuclear detonation.
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the mission of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to: (1) develop and implement methods and capabilities to support the attribution of nuclear or radiological material to its source when such material is intercepted by the United States, foreign governments, or international bodies or dispersed in the course of a terrorist attack or other nuclear or radiological explosion; (2) establish within the Office a National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center to provide centralized stewardship, planning, assessment, gap analysis, exercises, improvement, and integration for all federal nuclear forensics activities; and (3) establish a National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program which is devoted to developing and maintaining a vibrant and enduring academic pathway from undergraduate to post-doctorate study in nuclear and geochemical science specialties directly relevant to technical nuclear forensics.

action_date: 2009-03-24
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) pursue bilateral and multilateral international agreements to establish an international framework for determining the source of any confiscated nuclear or radiological material or weapon, as well as the source of any detonated weapon and the nuclear or radiological material used in such a weapon; (2) develop protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information relating to nuclear or radiological materials and samples of controlled nuclear or radiological materials to the extent required by such agreements; and (3) develop expedited protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information needed to publicly identify the source of a nuclear detonation.
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the mission of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to: (1) develop and implement methods and capabilities to support the attribution of nuclear or radiological material to its source when such material is intercepted by the United States, foreign governments, or international bodies or dispersed in the course of a terrorist attack or other nuclear or radiological explosion; (2) establish within the Office a National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center to provide centralized stewardship, planning, assessment, gap analysis, exercises, improvement, and integration for all federal nuclear forensics activities; and (3) establish a National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program which is devoted to developing and maintaining a vibrant and enduring academic pathway from undergraduate to post-doctorate study in nuclear and geochemical science specialties directly relevant to technical nuclear forensics. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2011.

action_date: 2009-12-23
text: 
Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) pursue bilateral and multilateral international agreements to establish an international framework for determining the source of any confiscated nuclear or radiological material or weapon, as well as the source of any detonated weapon and the nuclear or radiological material used in such a weapon; (2) develop protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information relating to nuclear or radiological materials and samples of controlled nuclear or radiological materials to the extent required by such agreements; and (3) develop expedited protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information needed to publicly identify the source of a nuclear detonation.
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the mission of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to: (1) lead the development and implementation of the national strategic five-year plan for improving U.S. nuclear forensic and attribution capabilities required under the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010; (2) establish within the Office a National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center to provide centralized stewardship, planning, assessment, gap analysis, exercises, improvement, and integration for all federal nuclear forensics and attribution activities; (3) establish a National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program that is devoted to developing and maintaining a vibrant and enduring academic pathway from undergraduate to post-doctorate study in nuclear and geochemical science specialties directly relevant to technical nuclear forensics and that shall provide undergraduate and doctoral student scholarships, awards to ensure that faculty and their graduate students have a sustained funding stream; and (4) report to Congress annually on such activities.
 
Requires the Director of the Office and each of the relevant departments that are partners in the Center to: (1) include, as part of required assessments, evaluations, and reviews, each office's or department's activities and investments in support of nuclear forensics and attribution activities and specific goals and objectives accomplished during the previous year pursuant to the national strategic five-year plan for improving U.S. nuclear forensic and attribution capabilities; (2) attach, as an appendix to the Joint Interagency Annual Review, the most current version of such strategy and plan; and (3) include a description of new or amended bilateral and multilateral agreements and efforts in support of nuclear forensics and attribution activities accomplished during the previous year.

action_date: 2010-02-16
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 23, 2009. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Nuclear Forensics and Attribution Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) pursue bilateral and multilateral international agreements to establish an international framework for determining the source of any confiscated nuclear or radiological material or weapon, as well as the source of any detonated weapon and the nuclear or radiological material used in such a weapon; (2) develop protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information relating to nuclear or radiological materials and samples of controlled nuclear or radiological materials to the extent required by such agreements; and (3) develop expedited protocols for the data exchange and dissemination of sensitive information needed to publicly identify the source of a nuclear detonation.
 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include within the mission of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office to: (1) lead the development and implementation of the national strategic five-year plan for improving U.S. nuclear forensic and attribution capabilities required under the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2010; (2) establish within the Office a National Technical Nuclear Forensics Center to provide centralized stewardship, planning, assessment, gap analysis, exercises, improvement, and integration for all federal nuclear forensics and attribution activities; (3) establish a National Nuclear Forensics Expertise Development Program that is devoted to developing and maintaining a vibrant and enduring academic pathway from undergraduate to post-doctorate study in nuclear and geochemical science specialties directly relevant to technical nuclear forensics and that shall provide undergraduate and doctoral student scholarships and awards to ensure that faculty and their graduate students have a sustained funding stream; and (4) report to Congress annually on such activities.
 
Requires the Director of the Office and each of the relevant departments that are partners in the Center to: (1) include, as part of required assessments, evaluations, and reviews, each office's or department's activities and investments in support of nuclear forensics and attribution activities and specific goals and objectives accomplished during the previous year pursuant to the national strategic five-year plan for improving U.S. nuclear forensic and attribution capabilities; (2) attach, as an appendix to the Joint Interagency Annual Review, the most current version of such strategy and plan; and (3) include a description of new or amended bilateral and multilateral agreements and efforts in support of nuclear forensics and attribution activities accomplished during the previous year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-02-16
text: Became Public Law No: 111-140.
action_date: 2010-02-16
text: Became Public Law No: 111-140.
action_date: 2010-02-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2010-02-16
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2010-02-04
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2010-02-04
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2010-01-21
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2010-01-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2010-01-21
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 10 (Roll no. 16). (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 1/20/2010 H226-227)
action_date: 2010-01-21
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 10 (Roll no. 16).(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 1/20/2010 H226-227)
action_date: 2010-01-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H300-301)
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 730.
action_date: 2010-01-20
text: Ms. Clarke moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H226-229)
action_date: 2009-12-24
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2009-12-23
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S13886-13887; text as passed Senate: S13886-13887)
action_date: 2009-12-23
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S13886-13887; text as passed Senate: S13886-13887)
action_date: 2009-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 244.
action_date: 2009-12-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-12-17
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2009-11-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2009-03-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 16 (Roll no. 148). (text: CR H3765-3766)
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 16 (Roll no. 148).(text: CR H3765-3766)
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3772-3773)
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 730.
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3765-3769)
action_date: 2009-03-24
text: Mr. Carney moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2009-02-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology.
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Referred to House Foreign Affairs
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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: 2009-01-27
text: Referred to House Homeland Security
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-01-27
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 111-140