zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Northern Border Security Review Act

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit a northern border threat analysis of:

 current and potential terrorism and criminal threats posed by individuals and organized groups seeking to enter the United States through the northern border or to exploit vulnerabilities along such border; improvements needed at and between ports of entry along the northern border to prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States and to reduce criminal activity, as measured by the total flow of illegal goods, illicit drugs, and smuggled and trafficked persons moved across such border; gaps in law, policy, cooperation between state, local, and tribal law enforcement, international agreements, or tribal agreements that hinder effective and efficient border security, counterterrorism, anti-human smuggling and trafficking efforts, and the flow of legitimate trade along the northern border; and whether additional preclearance and pre-inspection operations by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at ports of entry along the northern border could help prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States. For such analysis, DHS must consider and examine:

 technology needs and challenges; personnel needs and challenges; the role of state, local, and tribal law enforcement in general border security activities; the need for cooperation among federal, state, local, tribal, and Canadian law enforcement entities relating to border security; and the terrain, population density, and climate along the northern border.

Date: 2015-01-21
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

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

(Sec. 3) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among DHS components.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Under Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a strategy for achieving and maintaining such communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, that includes:

 an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components; information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications; information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS; guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives; the total amount of DHS expenditures since November 1, 2012, and projected future expenditures to achieve interoperable communications; and dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones. Directs the Under Secretary to submit with such strategy information on: (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates; and (2) who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Under Secretary, within 100 days after the strategy is submitted and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, to submit reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including: (1) progress on interim milestones; (2) information on establishment by the Under Secretary of, and compliance of DHS components with, policies, directives, guidance, and training to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; and (3) information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

Date: 2015-01-28
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group (the Group) to identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster.

Requires the Group to submit an annual report that includes:

 a review and analysis of social media technologies used to support preparedness and response activities; a review of best practices and lessons learned; recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes, recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through such technologies, and recommendations on how to access such information during a disaster; a review of available training for government officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a disaster; and a review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns. Terminates the Group five years after the enactment of this Act unless the chairperson renews it for a successive five-year period by submitting a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary. Provides for successive five-year renewal periods.

Date: 2015-01-30
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 10, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to commence actions to improve its process for vetting individuals with access to secure areas of vessels and maritime facilities.

These actions shall include:

 conducting a comprehensive risk analysis of security threat assessment procedures, including identifying procedures that need additional internal controls as well as best practices for quality assurance at every stage of the assessment; implementing such internal controls and best practices; improving fraud detection techniques; updating the guidance provided to Trusted Agents (Credentialing Office) regarding the vetting process and related regulations; finalizing a manual for such agents and adjudicators on the vetting process; and establishing quality controls to ensure consistent procedures to review adjudication decisions and terrorism vetting decisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall commission a national laboratory, a university-based center within the Science and Technology Directorate's centers of excellence network, or a qualified federally-funded research and development center to conduct an assessment of the effectiveness of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Program at enhancing security and reducing security risks for maritime facilities and vessels that pose a high risk of being involved in a transportation security incident.

The assessment shall review:

 the credentialing process, the process for renewing TWIC applications, and the security value of the TWIC program. If the assessment identifies a deficiency in effectiveness of the TWIC Program, DHS shall submit to Congress a corrective action plan that:

 responds to assessment findings and includes an implementation plan with benchmarks, and shall be considered in any DHS rulemaking with respect to the TWIC Program. The DHS Inspector General must review and report on the corrective action plan.

Date: 2015-02-04
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Transportation and public works
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Authorization Act

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 with respect to the establishment in the Department of Homeland Security of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (formerly the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

Date: 2015-02-11
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Immigration
Countering Violent Extremism Grants Act or the CVE Grants Act

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize the use of Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism by countering violent extremism, including through: (1) training programs; (2) the development, implementation, or expansion of programs to engage communities that may be targeted by violent extremist radicalization; and (3) the development and implementation of projects to partner with local communities to prevent radicalization to violence.

Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit an annual report on the use of such funding to counter violent extremism, including a list of recipients of funds, the types of projects funded, and the amount of grant funding used for each project.

Date: 2015-02-24
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on August 4, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Critical Infrastructure Protection Act or CIPA

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to define "EMP" to mean: (1) an electromagnetic pulse caused by intentional means, including acts of terrorism; and (2) a geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar storms or other naturally occurring phenomena.

Directs DHS to: (1) include in national planning frameworks the threat of EMP events; and (2) conduct outreach to educate owners and operators of critical infrastructure, emergency planners, and emergency response providers of the threat of EMP events.

Directs DHS to conduct research and development to mitigate the consequences of EMP events, including: (1) an objective scientific analysis of the risks to critical infrastructures from a range of EMP events; (2) determination of the critical national security assets and vital civic utilities and infrastructures that are at risk from EMP events; (3) an evaluation of emergency planning and response technologies that would address the findings and recommendations of experts, including those of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack; (4) an analysis of available technology options to improve the resiliency of critical infrastructure to EMP; and (5) the restoration and recovery capabilities of critical infrastructure under differing levels of damage and disruption from various EMP events.

Includes among the responsibilities of DHS relating to intelligence and analysis and infrastructure protection, to prepare and submit to specified congressional committees: (1) a recommended strategy to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the American homeland against EMP events, and (2) biennial updates on the status of such strategy.

Requires DHS to report within 180 days after enactment of this Act on the progress made in meeting, and on an estimated date for completing, the requirements set forth under this Act.

Date: 2015-02-25
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
First Responder Anthrax Preparedness Act

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for the purpose of domestic preparedness for and collective response to terrorism, to: (1) establish a program to provide surplus anthrax vaccines nearing the end of their labeled dates of use from the strategic national stockpile for administration to emergency response providers who are at high risk of exposure to anthrax and who voluntarily consent to such administration, (2) distribute disclosures regarding associated benefits and risks to end users, and (3) conduct outreach to educate emergency response providers about the program.

Requires DHS to: (1) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and assessments of the threats posed by anthrax from an act of terror; (2) leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to an anthrax terror attack; and (3) share information and provide tailored analytical support on threats posed by anthrax to state, local, and tribal authorities, as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders.

Directs DHS, in coordination with HHS, to carry out a 24-month pilot program to provide anthrax vaccines to emergency response providers. Requires DHS to: (1) establish a communication platform and education and training modules for such program, (2) conduct economic analysis of such program, (3) create a logistical platform for the anthrax vaccine request process, (4) select providers based in at least two states to participate, (5) provide to each participating provider disclosures and educational materials regarding the benefits and risks of any vaccine provided and of exposure to anthrax, and (6) submit annual reports on pilot program results and recommendations to improve pilot program participation. Requires the report to include a plan for continuation of the DHS program to provide vaccines to emergency response providers.

Date: 2015-03-04
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Health
Arizona Borderlands Protection and Preservation Act

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of the Interior to provide U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel with access to federal lands for security activities, including: (1) routine motorized patrols; and (2) deployment of communications, surveillance, and detection equipment.

Interior and USDA may provide education and training to CBP personnel on the natural and cultural resources present on individual federal land units.

Access authority shall not apply to private or state-owned land within federal land boundaries.

Date: 2015-03-17
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Immigration
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015

 This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modernize and implement the integrated public alert and warning system of the United States to ensure that the President is able, under all conditions, to alert governmental authorities and the civilian population in areas endangered by disasters, including by:

 establishing common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures for such system; including in such system the capability to adapt the distribution and content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, or personal user preferences and to alert individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs; ensuring that training, tests, and exercises are conducted for such system; establishing and integrating into the National Incident Management System a comprehensive and periodic training program to instruct and educate federal, state, tribal, and local government officials in the use of the Common Alerting Protocol enabled Emergency Alert System; and ensuring that the system is resilient, secure, and can withstand acts of terrorism and other external attacks. The system shall:

 incorporate multiple communications technologies, be designed to incorporate future technologies for communicating directly with the public to provide alerts to the largest portion of the affected population feasible and to improve the ability of remote areas to receive alerts, promote local and regional partnerships to enhance community preparedness and response, provide redundant alert mechanisms, and protect individual privacy. FEMA must: (1) submit a detailed plan to implement the system, including a time line, a spending plan, and recommendations for any additional authority necessary; and (2) establish the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for the system.

Date: 2015-03-19
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

DHS Paid Administrative Leave Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the head of each component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on a quarterly basis, to submit to the Chief Human Capital Officer of DHS (the Chief): (1) the number of employees who had been on administrative leave, or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for personnel matters for six consecutive months or longer; (2) the total cost to the component associated with such leave and paid non-duty status for the quarter; and (3) the average duration that employees are placed on administrative leave, or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave, for personnel matters for a period of six consecutive months or longer.

Requires the Chief to: (1) maintain records of the number of such employees and the associated costs; and (2) determine appropriate actions to be taken by DHS to resolve any personnel matter objectively, appropriately, and expeditiously or to reduce the use of such leave and paid non-duty status in addressing any personnel matter.

Encourages DHS to leverage systems and operations in use on the date of this Act's enactment to implement this Act's requirements.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Chief to develop and implement a department-wide policy in accordance with existing federal guidance specifically related to the use of such leave or paid non-duty status for personnel matters.

Requires such policy to: (1) include the responsibilities of the DHS components for reporting information relating to such administrative leave and such paid non-duty status to the Chief, and (2) provide guidance on expediting the resolution of a personnel matter for which an employee has been on administrative leave or any other type of paid non-duty status without charge to leave for a period of six consecutive months or longer in an objective and appropriate manner.

(Sec. 4) Directs the Chief to submit a report after each calendar quarter of 2016-2018 on the number of DHS employees on such leave or paid non-duty status for personnel matters for six consecutive months or longer.

Requires each such report to include: (1) the costs to DHS associated with the placement of such employees on administrative leave or such paid non-duty status (including salary and benefits) for the period covered by the report; and (2) a description of any actions taken by DHS to resolve any personnel matter for which an employee has been placed on administrative leave or paid non-duty status without charge to leave.

Date: 2015-03-25
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) ensure that each border security technology acquisition program that is determined to be a major acquisition program has an acquisition program baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision authority; (2) document that each such program is meeting the cost, schedule, and performance thresholds specified in such baseline in compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and (3) have a plan for each such program to meet program implementation objectives by managing contractor performance.

Directs: (1) the Under Secretary for Management and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that border security technology acquisition program managers adhere to relevant internal control standards identified by the Comptroller General, and (2) the Commissioner to provide information to assist the Under Secretary in monitoring proper program management of such acquisition programs.

Requires the Under Secretary for Management, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology and the Commissioner, to submit a plan for testing and evaluation, as well as the use of independent verification and validation resources, for border security technology so that new border security technologies are evaluated through a series of assessments, processes, and audits to ensure compliance with relevant departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as well as the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars.

Defines "major acquisition program" to mean a DHS acquisition program that is estimated by DHS to require an eventual total expenditure of at least $300 million over its life cycle cost.

Date: 2015-03-25
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Immigration
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Federally Funded Research and Development Sunshine Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to annually submit to the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate a list of ongoing and completed projects that federally funded research and development centers within DHS have been tasked to complete.

Prohibits additional funds from being authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.

Date: 2015-03-25
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act of 2015

 (Sec. 3) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to update, modernize, and implement the national integrated public alert and warning system, including by:

 ensuring that under all conditions the President is able to alert and warn governmental authorities and the civilian population in areas endangered by an act of terrorism, natural disaster, war, other man-made disaster, or other hazard to public safety; establishing or adapting common alerting and warning protocols, standards, terminology, and operating procedures; including the capability to adapt the dissemination of information and the content of communications on the basis of geographic location, risks, and multiple communications systems and technologies and the capability to alert, warn, and provide the equivalent amount of information to individuals with limited English proficiency skills, disabilities (particularly sensory disabilities), or other access or functional needs; ensuring training, tests, and exercises for the system and that the system is incorporated into other training and exercise programs of DHS; ensuring that a comprehensive and periodic training program for receiving and disseminating public alert and warning system messages utilizing advanced technologies is provided to homeland security stakeholders; conducting periodic nationwide tests of the system at least every five years; and consulting, coordinating, and cooperating with key stakeholders to leverage existing alert and warning capabilities. DHS must ensure that the system:

 incorporates redundant and diverse modes to disseminate warning messages to reach the greatest number of individuals in the intended area; can be adapted to incorporate emerging and future technologies; is reliable, resilient, and secure and can withstand acts of terrorism, hazards, and other external attacks or dangers; is hardened against cyber attacks; promotes state, local, tribal, and regional partnerships to enhance coordination; and is designed to provide alerts that are accessible to the largest portion of the affected population and to improve the ability of those in remote areas and areas with underdeveloped telecommunications infrastructure to receive alerts. DHS must: (1) produce a Privacy Impact Assessment every five years to evaluate whether the technology of the system has implications on the privacy rights of U.S. citizens; (2) establish the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Advisory Committee; and (3) make available to the public a list of mobile devices capable of receiving warnings and alerts disseminated through such system.

The Advisory Committee shall terminate six years after the date on which it is established.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency must permit the use of homeland security grant funds to improve public alert and warning capabilities.

Date: 2015-04-13
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Stop TSA Abuses Act

 Directs the Transportation Security Administration to prohibit any of the following employees who are not sworn law enforcement officers with arresting authority and who have not successfully completed federal, state, or local law enforcement training from using the title of "officer" or from wearing a metal badge resembling a police badge or a uniform resembling the uniform of a federal law enforcement officer:

 checkpoint transportation security officer, checked baggage transportation security officer, travel document checker, behavior detection officer, or transportation security specialist--explosives.

Date: 2015-04-15
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Transportation and public works
DHS Communication Enhancement Act of 2015

Directs the Department of Homeland Security to: (1) assess the ability of each of its components to convey information to, collect information from, and serve individuals with limited English proficiency; and (2) report a plan to improve such ability.

Requires such assessment to:

 identify the languages spoken fluently and read by individuals with limited English proficiency commonly encountered by personnel of the component, assess the extent to which the public materials of the component are available in such languages, and assess the ability of personnel of the component to communicate with and serve individuals with limited English proficiency.

Date: 2015-04-15
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials against the nation and of global infectious disease, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues; (2) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and risk assessments of such homeland security hazards, including the transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological materials, by providing relevant quantitative and nonquantitative threat information; (3) leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack; and (4) share information and provide tailored analytical support on these threats to state, local, and tribal authorities as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders and other federal agencies, as appropriate.

Requires the Office to coordinate with other DHS components, the Intelligence Community, and federal, state, local, and tribal authorities, including officials from high-threat areas, state and major urban area fusion centers, and local public health departments where appropriate, and enable such entities to provide recommendations on optimal information sharing mechanisms and on how they can provide information to DHS.

Directs DHS to report annually on: (1) intelligence and information sharing activities to counter the threat from attacks using chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials, and (2) DHS's activities in accordance with relevant intelligence strategies. Terminates this reporting requirement after the end of the five-year period beginning on this Act's enactment.

(Sec. 3) Requires DHS to ensure that homeland security information analyzed by it concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, tribal, and private entities and the public.

Date: 2015-05-01
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

State Wide Interoperable Communications Enhancement Act or the SWIC Enhancement Act

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require a state to include in its application for State Homeland Security Grant Program funding a certification: (1) that the governor of the state has designated a Statewide Interoperability Coordinator, or (2) indicating that the state is performing the functions of such a Coordinator in another manner and identifying the primary point of contact for performance of such functions.

Sets forth as such Coordinator's functions:

 coordinating the daily operations of the state's interoperability efforts; coordinating state interoperability and communications projects and grant applications for such projects; establishing and maintaining working groups to develop and implement key interoperability initiatives; and coordinating and updating a Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan that specifies the current status of state efforts to enhance communications interoperability within the state, including future goals for communications interoperability among emergency response agencies in the state.

Date: 2015-05-01
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Countering Violent Extremism Grant Program Act of 2015

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Homeland Security to establish a grant program to assist eligible community groups and organizations in establishing counter-messaging campaigns targeting violent extremism.

Bars grant eligibility to a community group or organization that has knowingly funded activities related to violent extremism or organizations known to engage in such activities.

Defines "violent extremism" to mean ideologically motivated terrorist activities.

Date: 2015-07-15
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on October 6, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Airport Access Control Security Improvement Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a risk-based, intelligence-driven model for the screening of airport employees based on level of employment-related access to Secure Identification Display Areas, Airport Operations Areas, or secure areas at U.S. airports.

 TSA shall conduct an aviation security risk-based review of certain federal disqualifying criminal offenses to determine their appropriateness as a basis for denying an employee a credential that allows unescorted access to Secure Identification Display Areas of airports.

TSA shall provide a redress process for employees subject to an adverse employment decision (including removal or suspension) due to a disqualifying offense that is consistent with the appeals and waiver process for applicants for commercial motor vehicle hazardous materials endorsements and transportation workers at ports.

TSA shall review the auditing procedures for all airport-issued identification media.

TSA shall:

 establish a program to allow airport badging offices to use "E-Verify" to determine eligibility to work in the United States of all applicants seeking access to secure areas of airports, establish a process to transmit applicants' biometric fingerprint data to the Office of Biometric Identity Management's Automated Biometrics Identification System for vetting, assess credential application data received by DHS to ensure it is complete and matches data submitted by airport operators. TSA shall establish a nationwide program for the anonymous reporting of violations of airport security.

TSA shall:

 establish a national database of employees who have had either their airport or aircraft operator-issued badge revoked for failure to comply with aviation requirements, determine the appropriate mechanisms for airports and airlines to submit such data and access the database, and establish a process to allow individuals whose names were mistakenly entered into the database to have them removed and their credentialing restored. The Aviation Security Advisory Committee shall update and review airport access controls.

TSA shall conduct a cost and feasibility study of a significant number of Category I, II, and X airports that ensures that all employee entry and exit points that lead to airport secured areas comprise the following:

 a secure door that uses card and pin entry or biometric technology, surveillance video recording capable of storing video data for at least 30 days, and certain advanced screening technologies (including at least one of the following: magnetometer [walk through or hand-held], explosives detection canines or explosives trace detection swabbing, advanced imaging technology, or X-ray bag screening technology). The Government Accountability Office shall assess the quality and reliability of the study.

Date: 2015-07-16
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Transportation and public works
This bill authorizes the governor of a state that shares a border with Canada or Mexico to designate up to 5% of its apportionment of surface transportation program funds for each fiscal year for border infrastructure projects.

Date: 2015-07-23
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Strengthening Public Health Emergency Response Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on programs for public health emergency preparedness.

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure procedures are in place to coordinate the ongoing stockpiling of countermeasures (certain medical supplies) by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(Sec. 4) Procurement of countermeasures using the Biodefense Countermeasures appropriations account no longer requires Presidential approval or an agreement between HHS and the Department of Homeland Security.

(Sec. 5) BARDA is given direct contracting authority.

(Sec. 6) The annual countermeasures plan developed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response must report on the amount of time between a BARDA request and the award of a contract.

(Sec. 7) This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to award, upon approval, a priority review voucher to the sponsor of a new drug or biological product that can be used as a medical countermeasure to a material threat. The transferable voucher entitles the holder to have an application for a new medication acted upon by the FDA within six months.

The sponsor of a medication that is subject to a voucher must pay a user fee based on the FDA's cost for the priority review process.

The FDA must publish a notice each time it issues a voucher or a voucher is used.

The GAO must report on the effectiveness of this priority review voucher program in providing incentives for the development of material threat medical countermeasures.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Health
Cyber Defense of Federal Networks Act of 2015

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to implement plans to: (1) detect, identify, and remove intruders in federal agencies' information systems; and (2) make advanced network security tools available for agencies to improve visibility of network activity to detect and mitigate intrusions and anomalous activity.

Directs DHS to coordinate with the OMB to: (1) update government information security metrics to include measures of intrusion and incident detection and response times, and (2) display additional metrics about agency cybersecurity postures on federal government performance websites.

Authorizes DHS, upon an agency's request, to operate and maintain technology that is deployed to agencies to diagnose and mitigate cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

Requires DHS to regularly assess and require implementation of best practices for securing agency information systems and preventing data exfiltration.

Redefines for purposes of DHS's national cybersecurity and communications integration center: (1) "cybersecurity risk" to exclude actions that solely involve a violation of a consumer term of service or a consumer licensing agreement; and (2) "incident" to include occurrences that actually or imminently jeopardize, without lawful authority, an information system, thereby replacing a standard that currently includes a violation or imminent threat of violation of law, security policies, security procedures, or acceptable use policies.

Requires DHS to assist agencies in implementing information security practices by: (1) providing incident detection, analysis, mitigation, and response information, disseminating related homeland security information, and providing remote or onsite technical assistance; (2) developing and conducting impact assessments in consultation with other governmental and private entities; (3) assessing and fostering technologies for use across multiple agencies; and (4) ensuring that policies are coordinated with standards for national security systems and policies of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Director of National Intelligence.

Authorizes the DHS Secretary to: (1) issue a directive to an agency to take any lawful action with respect to the operation of an agency's information system in response to a known or reasonably suspected information security threat, vulnerability, risk, or incident, including an act of terrorism, that represents a substantial threat to information security; or (2) authorize, without prior consultation with the affected agency, the use of protective capabilities under the Secretary's control for communications or system traffic transiting to or from or stored on an agency information system if there is an imminent threat and a directive is unlikely to be timely.

Exempts DOD and the intelligence community from such procedures.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Protective Service Improvement and Accountability Act of 2015

 Directs the Federal Protective Service (FPS) to maintain not fewer than 1,870 full-time equivalent positions, with at least 1,350 of such positions designated for fully trained federal law enforcement officers.

Authorizes positions in the FPS inspector force to be designated as: (1) Federal Facility Security Officers responsible for performing security assessments at facilities protected by FPS, making security countermeasure recommendations for such facilities, participating in security training and disseminating homeland security information to occupants and security guards of such facilities, and assessing the security of such facilities and the extent to which security countermeasure recommendations have been implemented; or (2) law enforcement officers responsible for patrolling and on-site monitoring of the physical security of FPS-protected facilities, conducting investigations at such facilities, and providing physical law enforcement at such facilities in the event of a terrorist attack, security incident, or other incident.

Directs FPS to: (1) establish the FPS contract oversight force responsible for overseeing contract guards, (2) establish uniform minimum training and certification standards for security guard services at FPS-protected facilities, (3) establish a process to verify the accuracy of training and certification data maintained by FPS, and (4) provide training to individuals in guard positions who have not successfully completed training on the effective utilization of screening equipment and active shooter scenario-based training.

Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) develop and implement a strategy for using covert-testing data and data on prohibited items to improve screening at facilities protected by FPS, and (2) submit an assessment of the degree to which the standards specified in the "The Risk Management Process: An Interagency Security Committee Standard" are utilized by all non-military federal facilities and of any barriers to utilizing such standards.

Requires FPS to: (1) commence a one-year pilot program to research the advantages of converting guard positions at the highest-risk federal facilities protected by FPS from contract guard positions to positions held by federal employees; and (2) establish, and hire individuals for, a federal facility security guard position.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Department of Homeland Security Clearance Management and Administration Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require that the designation of the sensitivity level of national security positions be conducted in a consistent manner in all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components and offices, consistent with federal guidelines. DHS must use uniform designation tools throughout DHS and provide training to appropriate staff.

The bill requires DHS: (1) by July 6, 2017, and every five years thereafter, to review all sensitivity level designations of national security positions at DHS; (2) if it determines that a change in the sensitivity level is warranted, to administratively adjust access and complete an appropriate level periodic reinvestigation; and (3) to report on such positions requiring access to classified information, no longer requiring access, or requiring a different level of access.

DHS's Inspector General must conduct regular audits of DHS compliance with regulations regarding such designations.

DHS must submit an annual report, through FY2021, on the denials, suspensions, revocations, and appeals of an individual's eligibility for access to classified information in DHS.

DHS must: (1) develop a plan to achieve greater uniformity regarding the adjudication of eligibility of an individual for access to classified information that is consistent with the Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Access to Classified Information, and (2) ensure that all information received for such adjudication is consistent with such Guidelines and is protected against misappropriation. The plan shall consider the establishment of an internal appeals panel responsible for final national security clearance denial and revocation determinations.

Date: 2015-09-15
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Emergency management
Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Strategy Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a cybersecurity strategy that includes: (1) strategic and operational goals and priorities to execute the full range of DHS's cybersecurity responsibilities; and (2) information on programs, policies, and activities in furtherance of the cybersecurity functions of the national cybersecurity and communications integration center (NCCIC), investigations capabilities, research and development, and engagement with international partners.

In developing the strategy, DHS must consider: (1) the cybersecurity strategy published in November 2011 for governmental and nongovernmental entities involved in homeland security, including federal, state, local, and tribal government officials, private sector representatives, academics, and other policy experts; (2) the Department of Homeland Security Fiscal Years 2014-2018 Strategic Plan; and (3) the most recent Quadrennial Homeland Security Review.

The strategy must include the roles and responsibilities of DHS components and offices.

DHS must also issue an implementation plan that includes strategic objectives, projected timelines, costs for tasks, and evaluation metrics.

DHS must submit the strategy and implementation plan to Congress.

The bill prohibits the strategy from being construed as permitting DHS to engage in monitoring, surveillance, exfiltration, or other collection activities to track an individual's personally identifiable information.

The bill also prohibits DHS from changing the location or reporting structure of the National Protection and Programs Directorate without prior authorization from Congress.

For purposes of the NCCIC, the bill redefines "incident" to include occurrences that actually or imminently jeopardize, without lawful authority, an information system, thereby replacing a standard that currently includes a violation or imminent threat of violation of law, security policies, security procedures, or acceptable use policies.

Date: 2015-09-15
Topic: Defense (Civil)
Subject: Immigration