GAPS Act

Bill: 113-hr-1535
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Hahn, Janice [D-CA-44]
Introduced: 2013-04-12
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Homeland security

Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information

Navigation, waterways, harbors

Terrorism

Transportation safety and security
Latest action: action_date: 2013-04-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-04-12
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Gauging American Port Security Act or the GAPS Act - Directs the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct a study of gaps in U.S. port security and submit to Congress a report (in classified form but with an unclassified annex) that includes a prioritization of such gaps and a plan for addressing them.</p> <p>Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) share relevant information with designated points of contact from federal agencies, state, local, or tribal governments, and port system owners and operators in accordance with rules for the handling of classified information; and (2) help expedite the clearance process if a designated point of contact does not have the necessary security clearance to receive such information.</p>

tv_txt: I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1535 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 12, 2013 Ms. Hahn (for herself and Mr. Poe of Texas ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security A BILL To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study and report to Congress on gaps in port security in the United States and a plan to address them.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gauging American Port Security Act or the GAPS Act . 2. Study, report, and plan to address gaps in port security (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall— (1) conduct a study of, and submit to the Congress a report on, remaining gaps in port security in the United States; and (2) include in such report a prioritization of such gaps and a plan for addressing them. (b) Form The report required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in classified form but shall contain an unclassified annex. 3. Information sharing The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in accordance with rules for the handling of classified information, share, as appropriate, with designated points of contact from Federal agencies and State, local, or tribal governments, and port system owners and operators, relevant information regarding remaining gaps in port security of the United States, prioritization of such gaps, and a plan for addressing such gaps. In the event that a designated point of contact does not have the necessary security clearance to receive such information, the Secretary shall help expedite the clearance process, as appropriate.