Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act

Bill: 114-hr-615
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10]
Introduced: 2015-01-28
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
Latest action: action_date: 2015-07-06
text: Became Public Law No: 114-29.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-01-28
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act</b></p> <p> 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.</p> <p>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:</p> <ul> <li>an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components;</li> <li>information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;</li> <li>an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;</li> <li>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;</li> <li>guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives;</li> <li>the total amount of DHS expenditures, since November 1, 2012, and projected, to achieve interoperable communications; and</li> <li>dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.</li> </ul> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

action_date: 2015-02-02
action_desc: Passed House without amendment
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)</p> <p><b>Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act</b></p> <p> (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.</p> <p>(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:</p> <ul> <li>an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components;</li> <li>information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;</li> <li>an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;</li> <li>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;</li> <li>guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives;</li> <li>the total amount of DHS expenditures, since November 1, 2012, and projected, to achieve interoperable communications; and</li> <li>dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.</li> </ul> <p>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.</p> <p>(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.</p>

action_date: 2015-05-21
action_desc: Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
text: <p><b>Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act</b></p> <p>(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.</p> <p>(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:</p> <ul> <li>an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components; </li> <li>information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; </li> <li>an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications; </li> <li>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; </li> <li>guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives; </li> <li>the total amount of DHS expenditures since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures to achieve interoperable communications; and </li> <li>dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones. </li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>(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.</p>

action_date: 2015-06-11
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p>(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.)</p> <p><b>Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act</b></p> <p>(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.</p> <p>(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:</p> <ul> <li>an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components; </li> <li>information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; </li> <li>an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications; </li> <li>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; </li> <li>guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives; </li> <li>the total amount of DHS expenditures since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures to achieve interoperable communications; and </li> <li>dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones. </li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>(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.</p>

action_date: 2015-07-06
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(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.)</p> <p><b>Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act</b></p> <p>(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.</p> <p>(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:</p> <ul> <li>an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components; </li> <li>information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; </li> <li>an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications; </li> <li>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; </li> <li>guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives; </li> <li>the total amount of DHS expenditures since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures to achieve interoperable communications; and </li> <li>dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones. </li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>(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.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 615 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 28, 2015 Mr. Payne (for himself, Mrs. Brooks of Indiana , Mr. Thompson of Mississippi , and Mr. McCaul ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security A BILL To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act . 2. Inclusion of interoperable communications capabilities in responsibilities of Under Secretary for Management Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Interoperable communications defined In this section, the term interoperable communications means the ability of components of the Department to communicate with each other as necessary, utilizing information technology systems and radio communications systems to exchange voice, data, and video in real time, as necessary, for acts of terrorism, daily operations, planned events, and emergencies. . 3. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications (as such term is defined in subsection (d) of section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2 of this Act) among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes, at a minimum the following: (1) An assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department, as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Information on efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, of the Department since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department, and planned efforts and activities of the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. (3) An assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (4) Information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (5) Guidance provided to the components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (6) The total amount of funds expended by the Department since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance. (7) Dates upon which Department-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each such mode of communication. (b) Supplementary material Together with the strategy required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the Under Secretary relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department by the dates referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a), and on who, within each such component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to so achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. 4. Report Not later than 220 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the status of efforts, since the issuance of the strategy required under section 3, to implement such strategy, including the following: (1) Progress on each interim milestone referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a) toward achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (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 components of the Department with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among such components. (4) Information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 615 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act . 2. Inclusion of interoperable communications capabilities in responsibilities of Under Secretary for Management Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Interoperable communications defined In this section, the term interoperable communications means the ability of components of the Department to communicate with each other as necessary, utilizing information technology systems and radio communications systems to exchange voice, data, and video in real time, as necessary, for acts of terrorism, daily operations, planned events, and emergencies. . 3. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications (as such term is defined in subsection (d) of section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2 of this Act) among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes, at a minimum the following: (1) An assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department, as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Information on efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, of the Department since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department, and planned efforts and activities of the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. (3) An assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (4) Information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (5) Guidance provided to the components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (6) The total amount of funds expended by the Department since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance. (7) Dates upon which Department-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each such mode of communication. (b) Supplementary material Together with the strategy required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the Under Secretary relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department by the dates referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a), and on who, within each such component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to so achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. 4. Report Not later than 220 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the status of efforts, since the issuance of the strategy required under section 3, to implement such strategy, including the following: (1) Progress on each interim milestone referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a) toward achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (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 components of the Department with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among such components. (4) Information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk.

tv_txt: IIB 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 615 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act . 2. Inclusion of interoperable communications capabilities in responsibilities of Under Secretary for Management Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Interoperable communications defined In this section, the term interoperable communications means the ability of components of the Department to communicate with each other as necessary, utilizing information technology systems and radio communications systems to exchange voice, data, and video in real time, as necessary, for acts of terrorism, daily operations, planned events, and emergencies. . 3. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications (as such term is defined in subsection (d) of section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2 of this Act) among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes, at a minimum the following: (1) An assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department, as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Information on efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, of the Department since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department, and planned efforts and activities of the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. (3) An assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (4) Information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (5) Guidance provided to the components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (6) The total amount of funds expended by the Department since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance. (7) Dates upon which Department-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each such mode of communication. (b) Supplementary material Together with the strategy required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the Under Secretary relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department by the dates referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a), and on who, within each such component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to so achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. 4. Report Not later than 220 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the status of efforts, since the issuance of the strategy required under section 3, to implement such strategy, including the following: (1) Progress on each interim milestone referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a) toward achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (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 components of the Department with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among such components. (4) Information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

Passed the House of Representatives February 2, 2015. Karen L. Haas, Clerk

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 95 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 615 [Report No. 114–53] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 3, 2015 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs May 21, 2015 Reported by Mr. Johnson , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act . 2. Inclusion of interoperable communications capabilities in responsibilities of Under Secretary for Management Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4) of subsection (a), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (d) Interoperable communications defined In this section, the term interoperable communications means the ability of components of the Department to communicate with each other as necessary, utilizing information technology systems and radio communications systems to exchange voice, data, and video in real time, as necessary, for acts of terrorism, daily operations, planned events, and emergencies. . 3. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications (as such term is defined in subsection (d) of section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 2 of this Act) among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes, at a minimum the following: (1) An assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department, as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Information on efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, of the Department since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department, and planned efforts and activities of the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. (3) An assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (4) Information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (5) Guidance provided to the components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (6) The total amount of funds expended by the Department since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance. (7) Dates upon which Department-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each such mode of communication. (b) Supplementary material Together with the strategy required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the Under Secretary relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department by the dates referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a), and on who, within each such component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to so achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. 4. Report Not later than 220 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and biannually thereafter, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the status of efforts, since the issuance of the strategy required under section 3, to implement such strategy, including the following: (1) Progress on each interim milestone referred to in paragraph (9) of subsection (a) toward achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (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 components of the Department with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among such components. (4) Information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act . 2. Definitions In this Act— (1) the term Department means the Department of Homeland Security; (2) the term interoperable communications has the meaning given that term in section 701(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 3; and (3) the term Under Secretary for Management means the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security. 3. Inclusion of interoperable communications capabilities in responsibilities of Under Secretary for Management Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(4), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (d) Interoperable communications defined In this section, the term interoperable communications has the meaning given that term in section 7303(g) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ( 6 U.S.C. 194(g) ). . 4. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes the following: (1) An assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department, as of the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Information on efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, of the Department since November 1, 2012 to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department, and planned efforts and activities of the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. (3) An assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (4) Information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (5) Guidance provided to the components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (6) The total amount of funds expended by the Department since November 1, 2012 and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance. (7) Dates upon which Department-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each such mode of communication. (b) Supplementary material Together with the strategy required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on— (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the Under Secretary for Management relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department by the dates referred to in subsection (a)(7); and (2) who, within each such component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary for Management to so achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. 5. Report Not later than 100 days after the date on which the strategy required under section 4(a) is submitted, and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the status of efforts to implement the strategy required under section 4(a), including the following: (1) Progress on each interim milestone referred to in section 4(a)(7) toward achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (2) Information on any policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary for Management. (3) An assessment of the level of compliance, adoption, and participation among the components of the Department with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary for Management to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components. (4) Information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary for Management. 6. Applicability Sections 4 and 5 shall only apply with respect to the interoperable communications capabilities within the Department and components of the Department to communicate within the Department.

May 21, 2015 Reported with an amendment

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H.R. 615 In the Senate of the United States, June 11, 2015. Amendment:

That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 615) entitled An Act to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act . 2. Definitions In this Act— (1) the term Department means the Department of Homeland Security; (2) the term interoperable communications has the meaning given that term in section 701(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 3; and (3) the term Under Secretary for Management means the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security. 3. Inclusion of interoperable communications capabilities in responsibilities of Under Secretary for Management Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(4), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (d) Interoperable communications defined In this section, the term interoperable communications has the meaning given that term in section 7303(g) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ( 6 U.S.C. 194(g) ). . 4. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes the following: (1) An assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department, as of the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Information on efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, of the Department since November 1, 2012 to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department, and planned efforts and activities of the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. (3) An assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (4) Information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (5) Guidance provided to the components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (6) The total amount of funds expended by the Department since November 1, 2012 and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance. (7) Dates upon which Department-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each such mode of communication. (b) Supplementary material Together with the strategy required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on— (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the Under Secretary for Management relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department by the dates referred to in subsection (a)(7); and (2) who, within each such component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary for Management to so achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. 5. Report Not later than 100 days after the date on which the strategy required under section 4(a) is submitted, and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the status of efforts to implement the strategy required under section 4(a), including the following: (1) Progress on each interim milestone referred to in section 4(a)(7) toward achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (2) Information on any policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary for Management. (3) An assessment of the level of compliance, adoption, and participation among the components of the Department with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary for Management to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components. (4) Information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary for Management. 6. Applicability Sections 4 and 5 shall only apply with respect to the interoperable communications capabilities within the Department and components of the Department to communicate within the Department.

Secretary

tv_txt: I One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America At the First Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the sixth day of January, two thousand and fifteen H. R. 615 AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act . 2. Definitions In this Act— (1) the term Department means the Department of Homeland Security; (2) the term interoperable communications has the meaning given that term in section 701(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by section 3; and (3) the term Under Secretary for Management means the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security. 3. Inclusion of interoperable communications capabilities in responsibilities of Under Secretary for Management Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 341 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(4), by inserting before the period at the end the following: , including policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (d) Interoperable communications defined In this section, the term interoperable communications has the meaning given that term in section 7303(g) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 ( 6 U.S.C. 194(g) ). . 4. Strategy (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a strategy, which shall be updated as necessary, for achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, with corresponding milestones, that includes the following: (1) An assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department, as of the date of enactment of this Act. (2) Information on efforts and activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training, of the Department since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components of the Department, and planned efforts and activities of the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. (3) An assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (4) Information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (5) Guidance provided to the components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies and directives of the Department. (6) The total amount of funds expended by the Department since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment, infrastructure, and maintenance. (7) Dates upon which Department-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each such mode of communication. (b) Supplementary material Together with the strategy required under subsection (a), the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information on— (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated certain responsibilities by the Under Secretary for Management relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department by the dates referred to in subsection (a)(7); and (2) who, within each such component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary for Management to so achieve and maintain such interoperable communications. 5. Report Not later than 100 days after the date on which the strategy required under section 4(a) is submitted, and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, the Under Secretary for Management shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the status of efforts to implement the strategy required under section 4(a), including the following: (1) Progress on each interim milestone referred to in section 4(a)(7) toward achieving and maintaining interoperable communications among the components of the Department. (2) Information on any policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary for Management. (3) An assessment of the level of compliance, adoption, and participation among the components of the Department with the policies, directives, guidance, and training established by the Under Secretary for Management to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among the components. (4) Information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary for Management. 6. Applicability Sections 4 and 5 shall only apply with respect to the interoperable communications capabilities within the Department and components of the Department to communicate within the Department.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.