Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act

Bill: 113-hr-4289
Sponsor: Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]
Introduced: 2014-03-24 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency communications systems
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2014-03-24
text: 
Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among DHS components.
 
Requires the Under Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a strategy for achieving and maintaining such communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, that includes:
 
 
an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components; 
 
information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; 
 
an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications; 
 
information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS; 
 
guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives; 
 
the total amount of DHS expenditures, since November 1, 2012, and projected, to achieve interoperable communications; and 
 
dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones. 

 
Directs the Under Secretary to submit with such strategy information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates and on who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.
 
Directs the Under Secretary to submit biannual reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including information on any additional resources or authorities needed.

action_date: 2014-06-19
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include among the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Management responsibilities with respect to policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
 
Requires such Under Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes:
 
 
an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components, as of this Act's enactment date;
 
information on DHS efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications, and planned efforts and activities to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;
 
an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;
 
information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS;
 
guidance provided to DHS components to implement interoperable communications policies and directives;
 
the total amount of funds expended by DHS since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications; and
 
dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.
 
 
Directs the Under Secretary to submit information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities by the Under Secretary relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications within a specified time frame, and on who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.
 
Directs the Under Secretary to report on the status of efforts since the issuance of the strategy to implement such strategy, including: (1) progress on each interim milestone; (2) information on any policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary; (3) an assessment of the level of compliance, adoption, and participation among the DHS components with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary; and (4) information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

action_date: 2014-07-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to include among the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Management responsibilities with respect to policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
 
Requires such Under Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes:
 
 
an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components, as of this Act's enactment date;
 
information on DHS efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications, and planned efforts and activities to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;
 
an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;
 
information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS;
 
guidance provided to DHS components to implement interoperable communications policies and directives;
 
the total amount of funds expended by DHS since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications; and
 
dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.
 
 
Directs the Under Secretary to submit information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities by the Under Secretary relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications within a specified time frame, and on who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.
 
Directs the Under Secretary to report on the status of efforts since the issuance of the strategy to implement such strategy, including: (1) progress on each interim milestone; (2) information on any policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary; (3) an assessment of the level of compliance, adoption, and participation among the DHS components with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary; and (4) information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-09
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2014-07-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 393 - 0 (Roll no. 370). (text: CR H5857)
action_date: 2014-07-08
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): 393 - 0 (Roll no. 370).(text: CR H5857)
action_date: 2014-07-08
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5861)
action_date: 2014-07-08
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: 2014-07-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4289.
action_date: 2014-07-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5856-5859)
action_date: 2014-07-08
text: Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2014-06-19
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 360.
action_date: 2014-06-19
text: Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-484.
action_date: 2014-06-19
text: Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-484.
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2014-03-27
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2014-03-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.
action_date: 2014-03-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2014-03-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2014-03-24
text: Introduced in House