To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-1178
Sponsor: Rep. Dent, Charles W. [R-PA-15]
Introduced: 2009-02-25 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Border security and unlawful immigration
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government studies and investigations
Homeland security
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Military civil functions
Natural disasters
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: 
Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to specified congressional committees on the functions and capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to support the homeland security missions of state, local, and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 
 
Requires the Comptroller General to review the process by which the Civil Air Patrol may provide assistance to the Secretary of Homeland Security, other federal agencies, and states to support homeland security missions, including by providing: (1) aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security; (2) capabilities for collective response to an act of terrorism, natural disaster, or other man-made event by assisting in damage assessment and situational awareness, conducting search and rescue operations, assisting in evacuations, or transporting time-sensitive medical or other materials; or (3) assistance in the exercise and training of departmental resources responsible for the intercept of aviation threats to designated restricted areas.
 
Directs the Comptroller General's report to include assessments of: (1) the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets; and (2) whether current mechanisms for requesting support from the Civil Air Patrol are sufficient.
 
Requires the Secretary to analyze the study and report to the committees any recommendations for action that could affect DHS's organization and administration.

action_date: 2009-05-04
text: 
Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to the Secretary of Homeland Security and specified congressional committees on the functions and capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to support the homeland security missions of state, local, and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 
 
Requires the Comptroller General to review the process by which the Civil Air Patrol may provide assistance to the Secretary, other federal agencies, and states to support homeland security missions, including by providing: (1) aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security; (2) capabilities for collective response to an act of terrorism, natural disaster, or other man-made event by assisting in damage assessment and situational awareness, conducting search and rescue operations, assisting in evacuations, or transporting time-sensitive medical or other materials; or (3) assistance in the exercise and training of departmental resources responsible for the intercept of aviation threats to designated restricted areas.
 
Directs the Comptroller General's report to include assessments of: (1) the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets; and (2) whether current mechanisms for requesting support from the Civil Air Patrol are sufficient.
 
Requires the Secretary to analyze the study and submit a report, including recommendations for action that could affect DHS's organization and administration.

action_date: 2009-05-12
text: 
Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to the Secretary of Homeland Security and specified congressional committees on the functions and capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to support the homeland security missions of state, local, and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 
 
Requires the Comptroller General to review the process by which the Civil Air Patrol may provide assistance to the Secretary, other federal agencies, and states to support homeland security missions, including by providing: (1) aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security; (2) capabilities for collective response to an act of terrorism, natural disaster, or other man-made event by assisting in damage assessment and situational awareness, conducting search and rescue operations, assisting in evacuations, or transporting time-sensitive medical or other materials; or (3) assistance in the exercise and training of departmental resources responsible for the intercept of aviation threats to designated restricted areas.
 
Directs the Comptroller General's report to include assessments of: (1) the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets; and (2) whether current mechanisms for requesting support from the Civil Air Patrol are sufficient.
 
Requires the Secretary to analyze the study and report to the committees any recommendations for action that could affect DHS's organization and administration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-05-13
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-05-12
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-05-12
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5428)
action_date: 2009-05-12
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 H5428)
action_date: 2009-05-12
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1178.
action_date: 2009-05-12
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5428-5430)
action_date: 2009-05-12
text: Mr. Walz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2009-05-04
text: House Committee on Homeland Security Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than June 3, 2009.
action_date: 2009-05-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 111-93, Part I.
action_date: 2009-05-04
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 111-93, Part I.
action_date: 2009-04-02
text: Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Discharged.
action_date: 2009-04-02
text: Subcommittee on Aviation Discharged.
action_date: 2009-04-02
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-04-02
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to House Homeland Security
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Introduced in House