Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act

Bill: 114-hr-615
Sponsor: Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]
Introduced: 2015-01-28 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: 2015-01-28
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: 2015-02-02
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)
 

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act

 
 (Sec. 2) 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.
 
(Sec. 3) 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.
 
(Sec. 4) 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: 2015-05-21
text: 

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act

 
(Sec. 3) 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.
 
(Sec. 4) 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 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 with such strategy information on: (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates; and (2) who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Under Secretary, within 100 days after the strategy is submitted and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, to submit reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including: (1) progress on interim milestones; (2) information on establishment by the Under Secretary of, and compliance of DHS components with, policies, directives, guidance, and training to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; and (3) information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

action_date: 2015-06-11
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act

 
(Sec. 3) 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.
 
(Sec. 4) 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 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 with such strategy information on: (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates; and (2) who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Under Secretary, within 100 days after the strategy is submitted and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, to submit reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including: (1) progress on interim milestones; (2) information on establishment by the Under Secretary of, and compliance of DHS components with, policies, directives, guidance, and training to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; and (3) information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

action_date: 2015-07-06
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act

 
(Sec. 3) 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.
 
(Sec. 4) 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 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 with such strategy information on: (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates; and (2) who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Under Secretary, within 100 days after the strategy is submitted and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, to submit reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including: (1) progress on interim milestones; (2) information on establishment by the Under Secretary of, and compliance of DHS components with, policies, directives, guidance, and training to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; and (3) information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-07-06
text: Became Public Law No: 114-29.
action_date: 2015-07-06
text: Became Public Law No: 114-29.
action_date: 2015-07-06
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-07-06
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-06-24
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2015-06-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-06-23
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H4578)
action_date: 2015-06-23
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H4578)
action_date: 2015-06-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 615.
action_date: 2015-06-23
text: Ms. McSally moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H4578-4579)
action_date: 2015-06-12
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2015-06-11
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4116-4117; text as passed Senate: CR S4116-4117)
action_date: 2015-06-11
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S4116-4117; text as passed Senate: CR S4116-4117)
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 95.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-53.
action_date: 2015-05-21
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-53.
action_date: 2015-03-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2015-02-03
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2015-02-02
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2015-02-02
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 379 - 0 (Roll no. 52). (text: CR H677-678)
action_date: 2015-02-02
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): 379 - 0 (Roll no. 52).(text: CR H677-678)
action_date: 2015-02-02
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H684-685)
action_date: 2015-02-02
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: 2015-02-02
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 615.
action_date: 2015-02-02
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H677-680)
action_date: 2015-02-02
text: Mr. Carter (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2015-02-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.
action_date: 2015-01-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2015-01-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-01-28
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 114-29