Secure Border Communications Act

Bill: 115-hr-6742
Sponsor: Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2018-09-07 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Intergovernmental relations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
State and local government operations
Technology assessment
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-07
text: 

Secure Border Communications Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that each U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer or agent is equipped with a secure radio or other two-way communication device, supported by system interoperability, that permits communication: (1) between ports of entry and inspection stations; and (2) with other federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement entities.
 
DHS shall: (1) ensure that U.S. Border Patrol agents in remote mission critical locations and at border checkpoints have multi- or dual-band encrypted portable radios, and (2) acquire radios or other devices with the option to connect to commercial mobile broadband networks for deployment in areas where such networks enhance operations and are cost effective.
 
DHS may evaluate new or emerging communications technologies to determine their suitability for border security operations.

action_date: 2018-09-25
text: 

Secure Border Communications Act

 
 (Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that each U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer or agent is equipped with a secure radio or other two-way communication device, supported by system interoperability, that permits communication: (1) between ports of entry and inspection stations; and (2) with other federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement entities.
 
DHS shall: (1) ensure that U.S. Border Patrol agents in remote mission critical locations and at border checkpoints have multi- or dual-band encrypted portable radios, and (2) acquire radios or other devices with the option to connect to commercial mobile broadband networks for deployment in areas where such networks enhance operations and are cost effective.
 
DHS may evaluate new or emerging communications technologies to determine their suitability for border security operations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8752)
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8752)
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6742.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8752-8753)
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Mr. McCaul moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 751.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Committee on Ways and Means discharged.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-963, Part I.
action_date: 2018-09-25
text: Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 115-963, Part I.
action_date: 2018-09-13
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2018-09-13
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2018-09-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2018-09-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2018-09-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2018-09-07
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2018-09-07
text: Introduced in House