zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Amends the Floyd D. Spence National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2001 to: (1) extend until June 30, 2009, the deadline for the final report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack; (2) make the Commission chairman in charge of all Commission financial and administrative matters; and (3) provide guaranteed Commission funding for FY2008. Authorizes the chairman of the congressional defense committees to jointly appoint up to three additional Commission members.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish an independent panel to assess the homeland security needs of the National Capital Region. Requires the panel to: (1) determine whether the definition of National Capital Region used by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should be modified to include additional areas, including jurisdictions in Maryland and Virginia along Interstate Routes 270, 95, and 66; and (2) determine whether those jurisdictions should be taking actions to prepare for a terrorist attack in the Region, including the construction of necessary facilities, and if so, to make recommendations for appropriate funding.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Smarter Funding for All of America's Homeland Security Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a State and Regional First Responder Grant Program under which the Secretary may make grants to states and eligible regional entities on the basis of the threat to a state or region's population and critical infrastructure, as determined by the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, to evaluate and prioritize grant applications, considering factors such as threats to the population, specific economic sectors, major communications nodes and transportation systems, specific elements of the food supply, the water and energy supplies, civic infrastructure and emergency response capabilities, and specific structures of symbolic national importance. Bars the use of grant funds to supplant state or local funds that would otherwise be available for homeland security or first responder projects. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish the Advisory Council on First Responders, which shall report to the Secretary through the head of the Office of State and Local Government Coordination; and (2) revise the Homeland Security Advisory System to require that any designation of a threat level or other warning be accompanied by a designation of the geographic regions and economic sectors to which it applies. Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to conduct a study of whether there is a need to assign additional bands of frequencies of electromagnetic spectrum to assist first responders.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Urban Area Security Initiative Improvement Act of 2007 - Makes each of the 100 most populous U.S. urban areas eligible for a grant under the Urban Area Security Initiative. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to award such grants after considering a study of how the variation in the output of models used for such awards can be apportioned to different sources of variation.

Date: 2007-01-05
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Improving Communications Interoperability Grant Program Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Director of the Office of Grants and Training, to establish the Improve Communications for Emergency Response Grant Program to make grants to states and regions for initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications, including initiatives to achieve solutions to statewide, regional, national, and, where appropriate, international interoperability.

Date: 2007-01-09
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to ensure that a sufficient number of full-time equivalent personnel, who are properly trained and qualified to apply legal, economic, and risk analyses, are involved in the review and prioritization of anti-terrorism technologies to determine whether such technologies may be designated or certified anti-terrorism technologies under the SAFETY Act. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a formal coordination process that includes the official of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with primary responsibility for the implementation of such Act, the Chief Procurement Officer of DHS, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, the Under Secretary for Policy, and the General Counsel of DHS to ensure the maximum application of the litigation and risk management provisions of such Act to anti-terrorism technologies procured by DHS; (2) promote awareness and utilization of the litigation and risk management provisions of such Act in the procurement of anti-terrorism technologies; and (3) issue a departmental management directive providing for coordination between DHS procurement officials and any other DHS official responsible for implementing such Act in advance of any DHS procurement of an anti-terrorism technology.

Date: 2007-01-22
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Canine Detection Team Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) fully coordinate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) canine training programs; (2) ensure that DHS is maximizing its use of existing training facilities and resources to train canines throughout the year; (3) make it a priority to increase the number of domestically bred canines used by DHS to assist its counterterrorism mission; (4) increase the utilization of domestically bred canines from universities and private and nonprofit sources; and (5) consult with other federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, universities, and private entities that use detection canines, as well as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to encourage domestic breeding of canines and to consolidate canine procurement across the federal government. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a competitive grant program for domestic breeders of canines; (2) establish a Homeland Security Canine Detection Accreditation Board; and (3) prohibit the use of grant funds to acquire a canine detection team that is not certified, except under special circumstances.

Date: 2007-01-24
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
State Defense Force Improvement Act - Recognizes state defense forces as integral military components of the homeland security effort of the United States, while reaffirming that such forces remain entirely state regulated, organized, and equipped, and recognizing that they will be used for homeland security purposes exclusively at the local level under state law. Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to coordinate homeland security efforts with, and provide assistance (including the use of Department of Defense (DOD) property, arms, equipment, and facilities) to, a state defense force, upon request. Leaves participation by a state defense force in a DOD or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) training program to state discretion. Requires a state to reimburse DOD for training assistance costs. Provides that funds available to DOD may not be made available to a state defense force. Makes the state liable for any injuries or damages incurred by a defense force member while engaged in training activities or state active duty.

Date: 2007-02-05
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Amends the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 to repeal provisions authorizing the President to: (1) employ the Armed Forces to restore public order and enforce the law in major public emergencies; and (2) provide supplies, services, and equipment to persons affected by the situation. Restores previous authority of the President to use the Armed Forces to suppress situations which interfere with state or federal law.

Date: 2007-02-07
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Targeting Homeland Security Resources Effectively Against Terrorism Act of 2007 or the THREAT Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a program of discretionary grants for use in high-threat, high-density urban areas. Directs the Secretary to make grants to not more than 15 areas in a fiscal year after considering the population, presence of critical infrastructure, and credibility of the terrorism-related threat for an area. Requires amounts awarded to be disbursed directly to local governments.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Berry Amendment Extension Act - Prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from procuring specified covered items directly related to national security interests (including clothing, tents, or natural fiber products) that are not grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States, except to the extent satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of any such product cannot be procured as and when needed. Makes additional exceptions for: (1) procurements by vessels in foreign waters; (2) emergency procurements; and (3) purchases for amounts not greater than the simplified acquisition threshold ($100,000). Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) each member of DHS's acquisition workforce who regularly participates in textile acquisition receives training during FY2008 on this Act's requirements; and (2) any such training includes comprehensive information on such requirements. Makes this Act inapplicable to the extent that it is inconsistent with U.S. obligations under an international agreement.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Urban Area Security Initiative Grant Enhancement and Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out an Urban Areas Security Initiative Grants Program, under which the Secretary may make grants: (1) to purchase equipment, conduct exercises, and provide training and technical assistance to state and local first responders and for facilities to provide training or assistance to responders; and (2) to provide reimbursement for specified expenses if 100 or more personnel in the relevant jurisdiction are dedicated exclusively to counterterrorism and intelligence activities. Directs the Secretary to make such grants: (1) generally in accordance with the procedures, terms, and conditions under which grants were made under the program in FY2005; and (2) based solely on a quantitative assessment of the risk of a terrorist attack on high-threat, high-density urban areas that considers the threat of a terrorist attack to particular assets and the vulnerability of particular assets to, and the consequences of, such an attack. Directs the Secretary, upon finding any problem in a grant application, to notify the applicant and provide an opportunity to correct it before making a grant. Makes: (1) fund allocations and grant approvals by the Secretary subject to modification by the President; and (2) provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act regarding the state and local domestic preparedness support grant program inapplicable.

Date: 2007-02-13
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Project Bioshield Material Threats Act of 2007 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to utilize existing risk assessments to assess current and emerging threats of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents and determine which of such agents present a material threat against the U.S. population sufficient to affect national security. Requires the Secretary to group such assessments to facilitate assessments by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the availability and appropriateness of specific countermeasures to address more than one such agent or address adverse health consequences that are common to exposure to different agents. Requires the Secretary to complete assessments by December 31, 2007, for those agents known to the Secretary by the date of enactment of this Act that are capable of significantly affecting national security and to submit the results to Congress.Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reauthorize appropriations through FY2009 for the Secretary to carry out such terror threat assessments. Authorizes additional appropriations to enable the Secretary to meet the deadlines established under this Act.

Date: 2007-02-15
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007 - Repeals title II of the Real ID Act of 2005.Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) establish by regulation minimum standards for acceptance of state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards by federal agencies; (2) establish a negotiated rulemaking process before publishing such standards; and (3) award grants to states to assist them in conforming to such standards. Prohibits federal agencies from accepting state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards after specified deadlines unless such identification conforms to the minimum standards promulgated under this Act.

Date: 2007-02-16
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Biosurveillance Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) to enhance the government's capability to rapidly identify, characterize, and localize a biological event (a terrorist act involving biological agents or toxins or a naturally occurring outbreak of infectious disease of potential national significance) by integrating and analyzing data related to human health, animals, plants, food, and the environment. Requires the Director of NBIC to develop, operate, and maintain an integrated network to detect a biological event that presents a risk to the United States or its infrastructure or key assets. Includes among the Director's responsibilities establishment of a procedure to enable government and private sector entities to report suspicious events. Requires the Director to continuously evaluate data, integrate homeland security information with NBIC data, and establish a mechanism for real-time communication with the National Operations Center.Directs the Secretary to: (1) seek agreements for appropriate federal agency heads to integrate biosurveillance information capabilities through NBIC and to provide timely, evaluated information; (2) ensure that the Director is notified of homeland security information regarding significant biological threats and receives timely reports; (3) designate NBIC as a public health authority; and (4) ensure that NBIC complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and applicable privacy regulations.Requires: (1) the Director to establish an interagency working group; and (2) the Secretary to report annually to Congress.

Date: 2007-03-01
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to specified congressional committees on the functions and capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to support the homeland security missions of state, local, and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Requires the Comptroller General to review the process by which the Civil Air Patrol may provide assistance to the Secretary of Homeland Security, other federal agencies, and states to support homeland security missions, including by providing aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security or by providing capabilities for collective response to an act of terrorism, natural disaster, or other man-made event.Directs the Comptroller General's report to include assessments of: (1) of the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets; and (2) whether current mechanisms for requesting support from the Civil Air Patrol are sufficient.Requires the Secretary to analyze the study and report to the committees any recommendations for action that could affect DHS's organization and administration.

Date: 2007-03-06
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 - Amends federal provisions concerning the prosecution of unlawful enemy combatants by U.S. military commissions to, among other things: (1) repeal the authority for civilian trial (prosecution) counsel in a commission proceeding, but authorize civilian military defense counsel; (2) exclude statements made by coercion; (3) authorize the Secretary of Defense to make exceptions to commission procedures and rules of evidence as required by unique circumstances of military or intelligence operations during hostilities; (4) provide for self-representation by the accused, while requiring assistance by military defense counsel; (5) authorize the military judge to dismiss charges or take other action upon a determination that substitute information for classified exculpatory evidence is insufficient to protect the fair trial right of the defendant; (6) require commission decision review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces rather than by the Court of Military Commission Review; (7) provide the scope of review of detention-related decisions; (8) repeal a provision of the Military Commissions Act of 2006 prohibiting invoking the Geneva Conventions (Conventions) or similar protocols in any habeas corpus or other action to which the United States is a party; (9) require the President to notify other parties to the Conventions that the United States expects members of U.S. Armed Forces and other U.S. citizens detained in a conflict not of an international character to be treated in a manner consistent with the Conventions; (10) include as War Crime offenses the denial of trial rights and the imposition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; (11) restore habeas corpus for individuals detained by the United States; and (12) provide for expedited judicial review of civil actions that challenges any provision of the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

Date: 2007-03-08
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Chemical Facility Security Improvement Act of 2007 - Prohibits federal funds from being used by the Secretary of Homeland Security to approve a site security plan for a chemical facility unless the facility meets or exceeds security standards and requirements to protect it against terrorist acts established by the state or local government for the area where it is located.Amends the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 to: (1) repeal a provision prohibiting the Secretary from disapproving a site security plan based on the presence or absence of a particular security measure; (2) require vulnerability assessments and site security plans to be treated as sensitive security information; and (3) repeal a provision limiting to the Secretary any right of action against a chemical facility owner or operator to enforce security measures.

Date: 2007-03-15
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Safe Facilities Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide that no federal law, regulation, or agency action shall preempt any state law or regulation relating to the security of chemical facilities that is more stringent than the federal law, including any state law or regulation that takes effect after this Act's enactment.

Date: 2007-03-19
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from prescribing regulations that preclude or deny any right of a state or political subdivision to adopt or enforce any regulation, requirement, or standard of performance regarding chemical facility security that is more stringent than a regulation prescribed by the Secretary.

Date: 2007-03-21
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Preventing Radicalism by Exploring and Vetting its Emergence as a National Threat (PREVENT) Act - Establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on Radicalization and Terrorism to: (1) examine and report upon facts and causes relating to radicalization in the United States; (2) build upon the work of and work together with related advisory bodies, and review the findings of related studies and academic works; and (3) report to the President and Congress on recommendations for countermeasures to radicalization, and measures to prevent radicalization from developing and spreading, within the United States. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (CREATE), led by the University of Southern California, to evaluate the feasibility and practicality of creating further incentives for private sector critical infrastructure stakeholders to participate in the sharing of protected critical infrastructure information.

Date: 2007-03-26
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Domestic Preparedness Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to address homeland security preparedness shortcomings of units of municipal and county government. Specifies that each grant shall be made for one of the following categories: (1) equipment and training; or (2) improving interoperability between members of a consortium of municipal and county governments. Sets limitations on the federal share of the costs of activities carried out with such grants. Mandates that an applicant be a unit of municipal or county government or a consortium of such units in order to be eligible for a grant under this Act. States that the Secretary may not make a grant under this Act unless the applicant conducts an assessment of the applicant's risk and vulnerability to possible acts of terrorism, including conventional, biological, nuclear, and chemical attacks. Provides that grant amounts: (1) shall be used only for the category of use for which the grant is made; (2) may be used only for new domestic preparedness initiatives; (3) shall not be used to sustain or supplement an existing program; and (4) may be distributed to fire departments, police departments, emergency services, and public health agencies of the grantee.

Date: 2007-03-27
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add a new section concerning the prevention of violent radicalization (an extremist belief system for facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or social change) and homegrown terrorism (violence by a group or individual within the United States to coerce the U.S. government, the civilian population, or a segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives). Establishes within the legislative branch the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism to: (1) examine and report on facts and causes of violent radicalization, homegrown terrorism, and ideologically based violence in the United States; and (2) build upon, bring together, and avoid unnecessary duplication of related work done by other entities toward such goal. Requires: (1) interim reports and a final report from the Commission to the President and Congress on its findings and recommendations; (2) the public availability of such reports; and (3) Commission termination 30 days after its final report. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish or designate a university-based Center of Excellence for the Study of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism in the United States to assist federal, state, local, and tribal homeland security officials, through training, education, and research, in preventing violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism in the United States. Requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct a survey of methodologies implemented by foreign nations to prevent violent radicalization and homegrown terrorism; and (2) report to Congress on lessons learned from survey results. Prohibits Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to prevent ideologically based violence and homegrown terrorism from violating the constitutional and civil rights or civil liberties of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Directs the: (1) Secretary to ensure that activities and operations are in compliance with DHS's commitment to racial neutrality; and (2) DHS Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Officer to develop and implement an auditing system to ensure that compliance does not violate the constitutional and civil rights or civil liberties of any racial, ethnic, or religious group, and to include audit results in its annual report to Congress.

Date: 2007-04-19
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Counter Terrorism Financing Coordination Act - Directs The Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury to negotiate and enter into a Memorandum of Agreement specifying each Department's role in providing foreign counterterrorism financing training and technical assistance. Requires such Agreement to include provisions respecting: (1) leadership and role designations; (2) dispute resolution methodology; (3) funding and resource coordination; (4) private contractor determinations; and (5) performance evaluation criteria. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to include in the annual congressional report on terrorist assets information on the nature and extent of activities to block the financial asset access of owners or account holders with terrorism connections.

Date: 2007-04-23
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: International affairs
Grants immunity from civil liability to persons who: (1) in good faith report threats to or acts of terrorism against transportation systems or passengers; and (2) take reasonable action to mitigate such actions.

Date: 2007-05-14
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Law
Border Infrastructure and Technology Modernization Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) increase, during FY2008-FY2012, the number of agents in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the DHS and the number of officers and agricultural specialists in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the DHS; and (2) provide such agents, officers, and agricultural specialists new technology training to a level of proficiency acceptable to protect U.S. borders. Directs the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to review and update, and submit to Congress, the Port of Entry Infrastructure Assessment Study and the nationwide strategy to prioritize and address the infrastructure needs at the land ports-of-entry. Directs the Secretary to prepare annually, and submit to Congress, a National Land Border Security Plan that includes a vulnerability assessment of each port of entry located on the U.S. northern and southern borders. Authorizes the Secretary to establish one or more port security coordinators at such ports of entry. Directs the Commissioner to: (1) develop a plan to expand the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program or other voluntary government-private sector programs to improve overall international supply chain security, including security along the U.S. northern and southern borders; and (2) establish a demonstration program to develop a cooperative trade security system to improve supply chain security along the southern border. Directs the Secretary to carry out a technology demonstration program to test and evaluate new port of entry technologies that enhance port of entry inspections and the detection of weapons of mass destruction, and to train personnel in its use. Sets forth streamlining procedures and certain local employment requirements for projects and programs under this Act.

Date: 2007-05-22
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) conduct, through the Coast Guard in the maritime environment, a program for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists, to enhance border security and for other purposes; (2) ensure such program's coordination with other Department of Homeland Security (DHS) biometric identification programs; and (3) report to the appropriate congressional committees respecting the cost of expanding the Coast Guard's biometric identification capabilities for use by other Coast Guard and DHS vessels and units. Defines "biometric identification" as the use of fingerprint and digital photography images.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Fast and Secure Travel at the Borders Act of 2007 or FAST Borders Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, to establish an automated system for the purpose of the enforcement of U.S. law, including antiterrorism and border security law, to assist in the screening of persons seeking to enter or depart the United States. States that: (1) such system shall provide an administrative process for an individual to apply to correct any information retained by the system; and (2) such corrective process shall not be construed as creating a private right of action and no court shall have jurisdiction on any case or claim arising from the application of such system or corrective administrative process. Authorizes: (1) the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to require each vessel, vehicle, and aircraft arriving in the United States from, or departing the United States to, a foreign port or place to transmit to United States Customs and Border Protection a passenger manifest and crew manifest; (2) a civil penalty for non-compliance; and (3) sharing of manifest and passenger name record information with other government agencies.

Date: 2007-06-05
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress: (1) that the President should make the prevention of a nuclear terrorist attack on the United States of the highest priority; and (2) regarding appropriate steps to prevent nuclear terrorism.Directs the President to designate an individual to serve in the Executive Office of the President as the Senior Advisor to the President for the Prevention of Nuclear Terrorism. States as U.S. policy that all possible steps be taken to ensure that all nuclear weapons and formula quantities of strategic special nuclear materials are secure and accounted for, and that all formula quantities of strategic special nuclear material are eliminated or secure and accounted for to a level sufficient to defeat terrorist and criminal threats. Directs the President to seek an international agreement on a global implementing standard for such policy.Requires an annual report from the President to Congress on the security of formula quantities of strategic special nuclear material.Authorizes appropriations for: (1) removal of highly enriched uranium; (2) technical nuclear forensics research and development; (3) conversion of highly enriched uranium; and (4) the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Office of Nuclear Security.

Date: 2007-06-27
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: International affairs
Quadrennial National Security Review Act - Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to direct the President, every four years, to: (1) conduct a quadrennial national security review (QNSR) to set forth the long- and short-term security goals of the United States; and (2) report review results to Congress. Establishes the QNSR Advisory Commission to assess such reports and the national security budget. Directs the President to submit a national security strategy report at the same time that each QNSR is submitted.

Date: 2007-07-26
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
9/11 Can You Hear Me Now Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to procure development and provision of a communications system for the New York City Fire Department, including appropriate radios and upgrades to the Department's critical information dispatch system that allow communication in all locations and under all conditions in which firefighters can reasonably be expected to work, including all high-rise buildings and subways. Directs that any communications system procured include provision to each firefighter of a supplemental radio communication device that: (1) allows the firefighter to transmit emergency notification warning signals to other firefighters; and (2) has the capability to operate automatically by transmitting messages that will relay an incapacitated firefighter's identification and location. Requires that upgrades procured: (1) provide useful, detailed data concerning all likely terrorist target locations in the city; and (2) be capable of providing to responding firefighters, instantaneously, details about particular buildings and other locations to assist in making decisions about how to mitigate a terrorist attack. Requires that: (1) radios, any dispatch system upgrades, and supplemental communication devices procured be tested; and (2) the Secretary coordinate with the city to ensure that the communications system procured is compatible with city plans to upgrade its 911 system and interoperable with other public safety communications systems.

Date: 2007-07-26
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2007 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify provisions establishing in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System, under which the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist state and local governments in responding to structural collapses resulting from terrorist acts and other incidents.Directs the Secretary to: (1) select and designate task forces to participate in the System and determine criteria for participation; (2) enter into an agreement with the sponsoring agency of each task force regarding participation; and (3) maintain such management and technical teams as the Secretary deems necessary. Authorizes a task force to include states, local governments, private nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities.Directs the Secretary (subject to specified limitations) to enter into, with each sponsoring agency: (1) an annual preparedness cooperative agreement; and (2) a response cooperative agreement, under which the Secretary agrees to reimburse agency costs incurred in responding to incidents.Authorizes the Secretary to appoint a System member for sponsored or sanctioned exercises, pre-incident staging, or major disaster, emergency response, or training events. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) appointment into federal service, including employment status, compensation, treatment as an employee in the event of personal injury, illness, disability, or death, liability, and employment and re-employment rights; and (2) licenses and permits. Directs the Secretary to establish and maintain an advisory subcommittee of the National Advisory Council.

Date: 2007-11-14
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Homeland Security Technology Advancement Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to extend (for five additional years) specified authority of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out certain basic, applied, and advanced research and development projects and prototype projects.Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to: (1) make available to any person or entity, for an appropriate fee, the services of any DHS owned and operated center or other facility for the testing of materials, equipment, models, computer software, and other items designed to advance the homeland security mission; and (2) ensure that the testing of materiel not owned by the government shall not cause government resources to be diverted from scheduled tests of government materiel or otherwise interfere with government mission requirements. Prohibits: (1) the disclosure outside the federal government of the test results and associated data that are trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information without the consent of the person or entity for whom the tests are performed; and (2) fees from exceeding the amount necessary to recoup the costs involved. Directs the Under Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) a report detailing a plan for operating such program; and (2) an annual report on the facilities that have collected fees, the partnerships formed, and the testing conducted.Directs the Comptroller General to submit to Congress an assessment of such program.

Date: 2007-12-05
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the federal criminal code to assign a new section number (555 instead of 554) to the provision prohibiting the construction of border tunnels and passages into the United States.

Date: 2007-12-06
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Student Visa Security Improvement Act - Amends the the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to provide for enhanced student visa background checks and monitoring of foreign students and exchange visitors in the United States.

Date: 2007-12-13
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Immigration
Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require: (1) the Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office and the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enter into an agreement regarding the minimum required functionality for the deployment of Advanced Spectroscopic Portal monitors (ASP) by CBP; and (2) the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide Congress with the signed memorandum of understanding between the Office and CBP. Directs the Secretary to develop quantitative metrics that demonstrate any significant increased operational effectiveness of deploying ASP in primary and secondary screening sites. Requires such metrics to include: (1) a quantitative definition of "significant increase in operational effectiveness"; (2) all relevant threat materials; (3) all relevant masking scenarios; and (4) cost-benefit analysis in accordance with the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.Permits the Secretary, in determining whether to certify that ASP shows a significant increase in operational effectiveness, to consider: (1) relevant reports on ASP from the Government Accountability Office (GAO); and (2) assessments of ASP by the Independent Review Team led by the Homeland Security Institute in consultation with the National Archives.Authorizes appropriations to the Director for FY2009 and for each subsequent fiscal year for the Securing the Cities Initiative.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Chemical Facilities Security Act of 2008 - Extends and transfers provisions requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish risk-based performance standards, require vulnerability assessments, and implement site plans for the security of chemical facilities from the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 to the Homeland Security Act of 2002. Eliminates the condition that an actual conflict with such provisions would preempt related state or local regulatory authority.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Border Security Accountability Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to report every 90 days to the appropriate congressional committees respecting U.S. efforts to increase border security.

Date: 2008-03-06
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Immigration
Border Health Security Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary), acting through the U.S. members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, to award grants to states, public institutions of higher education, local and tribal governments, nonprofit health organizations, or community health centers to improve border residents' health. Requires the Secretary to award grants to states, local or tribal governments, or public health entities for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area.Authorizes appropriations to carry out the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act.Allows the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security in establishing a health alert system that: (1) alerts clinicians and public health officials of emerging disease clusters and syndromes along the border area; and (2) is alerted to signs of health threats or bioterrorism along the border area.Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for the study of binational public health infrastructure and health insurance efforts.Amends the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act to authorize any member or staff of the Commission to provide advice or recommendations to Congress concerning issues that are considered by the Commission.

Date: 2008-03-11
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Health
Radiological Materials Security Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance domestic preparedness for and collective response to terrorism by conducting a risk assessment regarding the threat of, vulnerability to, and consequences of theft or other procurement of radiological materials that could be used by a terrorist in a radiological dispersion device.Requires the Secretary to: (1) disseminate the findings of, and specific risk information developed in, the assessment to participants in the radiological sources security system; (2) develop a classification system for information regarding radiological materials and classify the assessment under such system; (3) share the assessment with participants with appropriate clearances; (4) develop a terrorism risk self-assessment tool for facilities to ascertain risk and provide it to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which shall disseminate it to system facilities; (5) issue recommended practices for securing high-risk radiological materials; and (6) make available infrastructure protection grants to owners and operators of facilities with approved facility security plans.Directs the NRC to: (1) update, promulgate, and enforce regulations for the security of radiological materials; (2) maintain and update a nuclear materials events database and a database to track regulated radiological materials and orphaned, lost, or stolen radiological materials; and (3) issue regulations requiring the owner or operator of a facility containing high-risk radiological material to create, submit to the NRC and certain states, and implement facility security plans to address vulnerabilities.Directs the Secretary of Energy to provide technical assistance for securing high-risk radiological materials to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the NRC, state and local authorities, and participating facilities.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Schools Empowered to Respond Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security an Office of National School Preparedness and Response. Gives the Director of that office primary responsibility within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the support of statewide, regional, and national efforts to enhance the collective response to acts of terrorism and other disasters at schools, including by: (1) serving as the principal advisor to the Secretary on the needs of schools and children in response to emergency situations; (2) ensuring that DHS policies, programs, and activities appropriately consider the needs of and impact upon schools and children; (3) creating an Internet clearinghouse that identifies resources available to schools; and (4) ensuring that education officials have input with the Government Coordinating Council.Permits the use of funds under the Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program to enhance school preparedness.Directs the Secretary to condition the receipt of grants on a state including in each state homeland security decision-making body that has authority to determine how grants will be used a representative selected by the state education authority who has an understanding of the emergency planning needs of local schools. Expresses the sense of Congress: (1) promoting the adoption of voluntary national standards in schools to prepare for and enable a collective response to acts of terrorism and other disasters; and (2) regarding what plans for responding should be included to ensure school participation in such collective response.

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Screening Applied Fairly and Equitably to Truckers Act of 2008, or the SAFE Truckers Act of 2008 - Amends the Homeland Security Act 2002 to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) designate security sensitive material; and (2) prohibit an individual from operating a motor vehicle in commerce while transporting such material, unless the operator of the motor vehicle holds a transportation security card issued by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to prohibit a person (shipper) from offering a security sensitive material for transportation by motor vehicle, or causing the transportation of such material by motor vehicle, unless the operator of the motor vehicle holds a transportation security card. Sets forth both civil and criminal penalties for persons who violate the requirements of this Act. Prohibits a motor vehicle registered in Mexico or Canada from transporting security sensitive material in U.S. commerce until the operator of the motor vehicle has undergone a background records check similar to that required for U.S. commercial motor vehicle operators licensed to transport security sensitive materials in U.S. commerce. Requires the Secretary to conduct periodically a named-based background check against the U.S. integrated terrorism watch list of all individuals licensed to operate a motor vehicle to transport a hazardous material in commerce. Establishes task forces on: (1) highway security; and (2) crimes disqualifying individuals from certain transportation-related employment.

Date: 2008-04-29
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Commission on Securing the United States in the 21st Century Act of 2008 - Establishes the Commission on Securing the United States in the 21st Century which shall review the next 20 years' global security environment to identify U.S. strategic interests and develop an appropriate national security strategy. Terminates the Commission 60 days after submission of a final report required under this Act.

Date: 2008-05-06
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue regulations that require that any award fee under a cost-plus-award-fee contract entered into by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall be determined and paid based on a successful acquisition outcome that is specified in the contract in terms of cost, schedule, and performance.

Date: 2008-06-11
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish and maintain on the website of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a direct link to the website of DHS's Office of the Inspector General; and (2) the Inspector General to establish and maintain on the Office of Inspector General's website a direct link for individuals to anonymously report waste, fraud, or abuse relating to DHS.

Date: 2008-06-11
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management