HR 1684
5-9-07, Bill Passed House 296-126
Referred to Senate Committee on Homeland Security& Governmental Affairs

110th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 1684

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 11, 2007

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

AN ACT

To authorize appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008'.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.

Sec. 2. Table of contents.

TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 101. Department of Homeland Security.

TITLE II--POLICY AND MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 201. Establishment of Directorate for Policy.

Sec. 202. Direct line authority for Chief Operating Officers.

Sec. 203. Comprehensive Homeland Security Review.

Sec. 204. Qualifications for the Under Secretary for Management.

Sec. 205. Sense of Congress regarding consolidation of Department headquarters.

Sec. 206. Required budget line item for office of counternarcotics enforcement.

Sec. 207. Designation of Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement as primary Department counternarcotics enforcement representative.

Sec. 208. Granting line authority to the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs.

TITLE III--OVERSIGHT IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 301. Secure border initiative financial accountability.

Sec. 302. Authorization Liaison Officer.

Sec. 303. Office of the Inspector General.

Sec. 304. Congressional notification requirement.

TITLE IV--PROCUREMENT POLICY AND RESOURCES IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 401. Homeland security procurement training.

Sec. 402. Authority to appoint and maintain a cadre of Federal annuitants for procurement offices.

Sec. 403. Additional requirement to review past performance of contractors.

Sec. 404. Requirement to disclose foreign ownership or control of contractors and subcontractors.

Sec. 405. Integrity in contracting.

Sec. 406. Small business utilization report.

Sec. 407. Requirement that uniforms, protective gear, badges, and identification cards of Homeland Security personnel be manufactured in the United States.

Sec. 408. Department of Homeland Security Mentor-Protege Program.

Sec. 409. Report on source of shortfalls at Federal Protective Service.

TITLE V--WORKFORCE AND TRAINING IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 501. Customs and Border Protection Officer pay equity.

Sec. 502. Plan to improve representation of minorities in various categories of employment.

Sec. 503. Continuation of authority for Federal law enforcement training center to appoint and maintain a cadre of Federal annuitants.

Sec. 504. Authority to appoint and maintain a cadre of Federal annuitants for Customs and Border Protection.

Sec. 505. Strengthening Border Patrol recruitment and retention.

Sec. 506. Limitation on reimbursements relating to certain detailees.

Sec. 507. Increased security screening of Homeland Security Officials.

Sec. 508. Authorities of Chief Security Officer.

Sec. 509. Departmental culture improvement.

Sec. 510. Homeland security education program enhancements.

Sec. 511. Repeal of chapter 97 of title 5, United States Code.

Sec. 512. Utilization of non-law enforcement Federal employees as instructors for non-law enforcement classes at the Border Patrol Training Academy.

Sec. 513. Termination of Employment of Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Medical Personnel Prohibited.

TITLE VI--BIOPREPAREDNESS IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 601. Chief Medical Officer and Office of Health Affairs.

Sec. 602. Improving the material threats process.

Sec. 603. Study on national biodefense training.

Sec. 604. National Biosurveillance Integration Center.

Sec. 605. Risk analysis process and integrated CBRN risk assessment.

TITLE VII--HOMELAND SECURITY CYBERSECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 701. Cybersecurity and Communications.

Sec. 702. Cybersecurity research and development.

Sec. 703. Collaboration.

TITLE VIII--SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 801. Report to Congress on strategic plan.

Sec. 802. Centers of Excellence Program.

Sec. 803. National research council study of university programs.

Sec. 804. Streamlining of SAFETY Act and antiterrorism technology procurement processes.

Sec. 805. Promoting antiterrorism through International Cooperation Act.

Sec. 806. Availability of testing facilities and equipment.

TITLE IX--BORDER SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 901. US-VISIT.

Sec. 902. Shadow Wolves program.

Sec. 903. Cost-effective training for border patrol agents.

Sec. 904. Report on implementation of the student and exchange visitor program.

Sec. 905. Assessment of resources necessary to reduce crossing times at land ports of entry.

Sec. 906. Report by Government Accountability Office regarding policies and procedures of the Border Patrol.

Sec. 907. Report on Integrated Border Enforcement Team initiative.

Sec. 908. Stolen and Lost Travel Document database.

TITLE X--INFORMATION SHARING IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 1001. State and local fusion center program.

Sec. 1002. Fusion Center Privacy and Civil Liberties Training Program.

Sec. 1003. Authority to appoint and maintain a cadre of Federal annuitants for the Office of Information Analysis.

TITLE XI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 1101. Rural homeland security training initiative.

Sec. 1102. Critical infrastructure study.

Sec. 1103. Terrorist watch list at high-risk critical infrastructure.

Sec. 1104. Authorized use of surplus military vehicles.

Sec. 1105. Computer capabilities to support real-time incident management.

Sec. 1106. Expenditure reports as a condition of homeland security grants.

Sec. 1107. Encouraging use of computerized training aids.

Sec. 1108. Metropolitan Medical Response System Program.

Sec. 1109. Identity fraud prevention grant program.

Sec. 1110. Technical corrections.

Sec. 1111. Citizen Corps.

Sec. 1112. Report regarding Department of Homeland Security implementation of Comptroller General and Inspector General recommendations regarding protection of agriculture.

Sec. 1113. Report regarding levee system.

Sec. 1114. Report on Force Multiplier Program.

Sec. 1115. Eligibility of State judicial facilities for State homeland security grants.

Sec. 1116. Data sharing.

Sec. 1117. Cooperative agreement with National Organization on Disability to carry out Emergency Preparedness Initiative.

Sec. 1118. Consideration of tourism in awarding Urban Area Security Initiative grants.

Sec. 1119. Study of foreign rail security practices.

Sec. 1120. FEMA recovery office in Florida.

Sec. 1121. Requirement to consult States regarding grant awards.

Sec. 1122. Comptroller General report on critical infrastructure.

Sec. 1123. Improving the nexus and fast registered traveler programs.

Sec. 1124. Travel documents.

Sec. 1125. Sense of the Congress on Interoperability.

Sec. 1126. Travelers Redress Inquiry Program.

Sec. 1127. Transportation Worker Identification Credential program.

Sec. 1128. Automated targeting system for persons entering or departing the United States.

TITLE I--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 101. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security for the necessary expenses of the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008, $39,863,000,000.

TITLE II--POLICY AND MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECTORATE FOR POLICY.

(a) In General- The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by striking sections 401 through 403 and inserting the following:

`SEC. 401. DIRECTORATE FOR POLICY.

`(a) Establishment- There is in the Department a Directorate for Policy. The Directorate for Policy shall contain each of the following:

`(1) The Office of the Private Sector, which shall be administered by an Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector.

`(2) The Victim Assistance Officer.

`(3) The Tribal Security Officer.

`(4) The Border Community Liaison Officer.

`(5) Such other offices as considered necessary by the Under Secretary for Policy.

`(b) Under Secretary for Policy-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The head of the Directorate is the Under Secretary for Policy, who shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

`(2) QUALIFICATIONS- No individual shall be appointed to the position of Under Secretary for Policy under paragraph (1) unless the individual has, by education and experience, demonstrated knowledge, ability, and skill in the fields of policy and strategic planning.

`(3) RESPONSIBILITIES- Subject to the direction and control of the Secretary, the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Policy shall be as follows:

`(A) To serve as the principal policy advisor to the Secretary.

`(B) To provide overall direction and supervision of policy development for the programs, offices, and activities of the Department, excluding each agency that is a distinct entity within the Department.

`(C) To ensure that the budget of the Department (including the development of future year budgets and interaction with the Office of Management and Budget and with Congress) is compatible with the statutory and regulatory responsibilities of the Department and with the Secretary's priorities, strategic plans, and policies.

`(D) To conduct long-range, strategic planning for the Department, including overseeing the Comprehensive Homeland Security Review established in section 203.

`(E) To carry out such other responsibilities as the Secretary may determine are appropriate, consistent with this section.'.

(b) Ensuring Consideration of the Needs of Children-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Under Secretary for Policy of the Department of Homeland Security, acting through the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy and Development, shall ensure that all departmental policies, programs, and activities appropriately consider the needs of and impact upon children.

(2) SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS- The Under Secretary for Policy shall--

(A) coordinate with other Federal Departments and agencies to ensure that the needs of children, schools, and other child-centered facilities are sufficiently understood and incorporated into Federal, State, local, and tribal preparedness, response, and recovery plans and activities for terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies (including those involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or other explosive weapons), or other manmade disasters;

(B) coordinate with the Office of Grants within the Federal Emergency Management Agency to monitor the use of homeland security grants by State, local, or tribal agencies to support emergency preparedness activities for children, schools, and other child-centered facilities, and make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of such funding;

(C) review public awareness programs and screening policies by departmental entities, including security screening at airports, and ensure that such policies consider the needs and well-being of children; and

(D) ensure that all other departmental activities that affect children include consideration of the needs of children and that relevant agencies of the Department coordinate on this matter where appropriate.

(3) REPORT TO CONGRESS- One year after the date of the enactment of this subsection and on an annual basis thereafter, the Under Secretary for Policy shall report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate on activities undertaken pursuant to this subsection and the resulting improvement in security for children, schools, and other child-centered facilities.

(c) Conforming Amendments- Such Act is further amended--

(1) by striking the heading for title IV and inserting the following:

`TITLE IV--DIRECTORATE FOR POLICY';

(2) by striking the heading for subtitle A of title IV and inserting the following:

`Subtitle A--Under Secretary for Policy';

(3) in section 103(a)(3), by striking `for Border and Transportation Security' and inserting `for Policy';

(4) in section 102(f)(9), by striking `the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security' and inserting `United States Customs and Border Protection';

(5) in section 411(a), by striking `under the authority of the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security,';

(6) in section 430--

(A) in subsection (a)--

(i) by striking `The' and inserting `There is in the Department an'; and

(ii) by striking `shall be' and all that follows through `Security';

(B) in subsection (b), by striking the second sentence; and

(C) by striking subsection (d).

(7) in section 441, by striking `Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security' and inserting `Secretary';

(8) in section 442(a)--

(A) `who--'in paragraph (2), by striking and all that follows through `(B) shall' and inserting `who shall'; and

(B) in paragraph (3)--

(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking `Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security' each place it appears and inserting `Secretary'; and

(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking `Border and Transportation Security' and inserting `Policy';

(9) in section 443, by striking `The Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security' and inserting `Subject to the direction and control of the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary';

(10) in section 444, by striking `The Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security' and inserting `Subject to the direction and control of the Secretary, the Deputy Secretary';

(11) in section 472(e), by striking `or the Under Secretary for Border and Transportation Security'; and

(12) in section 878(e), by striking `the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security' and inserting `United States Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement'.

(d) Clerical Amendments- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended--

(1) by striking the item relating to title IV and inserting the following:

`TITLE IV--DIRECTORATE FOR POLICY';

and

(2) by striking the items relating to subtitle A of title IV and inserting the following:

`Subtitle A--Under Secretary for Policy

`Sec. 401. Directorate for Policy.'.

SEC. 202. DIRECT LINE AUTHORITY FOR CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS.

(a) In General- Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 707. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS.

`(a) In General- The Chief Operating Officers of the Department include the following officials of the Department:

`(1) The Chief Financial Officer.

`(2) The Chief Procurement Officer.

`(3) The Chief Information Officer.

`(4) The Chief Human Capital Officer.

`(5) The Chief Administrative Officer.

`(6) The Chief Security Officer.

`(b) Coordination- The Secretary shall direct the Chief Operating Officer of each component agency to coordinate with that Officer's respective Chief Operating Officer of the Department to ensure that the component agency adheres to Government-wide laws, rules, regulations, and policies to which the Department is subject and which the Chief Operating Officer is responsible for implementing.

`(c) Coordination With Heads of Component Agencies- In coordinating with a Chief Operating Officer of the Department as required under subsection (b), a Chief Operating Officer of a component agency shall coordinate with the head of that component agency.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 706 the following:

`Sec. 707. Chief Operating Officers.'.

SEC. 203. COMPREHENSIVE HOMELAND SECURITY REVIEW.

(a) Comprehensive Homeland Security Review- Subtitle A of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 402. COMPREHENSIVE HOMELAND SECURITY REVIEW.

`(a) Requirement To Conduct Reviews- The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Policy, shall conduct a comprehensive examination of the Department, to be known as the Comprehensive Homeland Security Review. The Secretary shall conduct the first such review in fiscal year 2009, and shall conduct a subsequent review in the first fiscal year in which there begins the first presidential term of a new presidential administration.

`(b) Purpose of Review- In each Comprehensive Homeland Security Review, the Secretary shall--

`(1) include a Department of Homeland Security Strategy that is consistent with the most recent National Strategy for Homeland Security prescribed by the President;

`(2) define sufficient personnel and appropriate organizational structure and other requirements necessary for the successful execution of the full range of missions called for in the Department of Homeland Security Strategy; and

`(3) identify a budget plan, acquisition strategy, procurement process, and any other resources, that are necessary to provide sufficient resources for the successful execution of the full range of missions called for in the Department of Homeland Security Strategy.

`(c) Conduct of Review-

`(1) CONSULTATION REQUIRED- The Secretary shall conduct each review required under subsection (a) in consultation with key officials of the Department, including the Assistant Secretary of the Transportation Security Administration, the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection, the Director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Director of the United States Secret Service, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard.

`(2) RELATIONSHIP WITH FUTURE YEARS HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM- The Secretary shall ensure that each review conducted under this section is consistent with the Future Years Homeland Security Program required under section 874.

`(d) Report to Congress and the President-

`(1) REPORT- The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and to the President a report on each Comprehensive Homeland Security Review. Each such report shall be submitted during the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the review is conducted, but not later than the date on which the President submits to Congress the budget under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, for the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the report is to be submitted.

`(2) CONTENTS- Each such report shall include the following, with a focus on reducing and managing risk and in preparing for, mitigating against, responding to, and recovering from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies:

`(A) A comprehensive assessment of the level of alignment between the Department of Homeland Security Strategy and the human resources, infrastructure, assets, and organizational structure of the Department.

`(B) An explanation of any and all underlying assumptions used in conducting the Review.

`(C) The human resources requirements and response capabilities of the Department as they relate to the risks of terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.

`(D) The strategic and tactical air, border sea, and land capabilities and requirements to support the Department of Homeland Security Strategy.

`(E) The nature and appropriateness of homeland security operational capabilities, including operational scientific and technical resources and capabilities and the anticipated effects on the human resources capabilities, costs, efficiencies, resources, and planning of the Department of any technology or operational capabilities anticipated to be available during the years subsequent to the Review.

`(F) Any other matter the Secretary considers appropriate to include in the Review.

`(3) DEADLINE FOR INITIAL REPORT- Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit the first Report required under subsection (a) not later than September 30, 2010.

`(e) Preparations for Fiscal Year 2008 Review- In fiscal year 2008, the Under Secretary for Policy shall make all preparations for the conduct of the first Comprehensive Homeland Security Review in fiscal year 2009, including--

`(1) determining the tasks to be performed;

`(2) estimating the human, financial, and other resources required to perform each task;

`(3) establishing the schedule for the execution of all project tasks;

`(4) ensuring that these resources will be available as needed; and

`(5) all other preparations considered necessary by the Under Secretary.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 401 the following:

`Sec. 402. Comprehensive Homeland Security Review.'.

SEC. 204. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT.

(a) Qualifications- Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 341) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(c) Qualifications- The Under Secretary for Management shall have all of the following qualifications:

`(1) Extensive executive level leadership and management experience in the public or private sector.

`(2) Strong leadership skills.

`(3) A demonstrated ability to manage large and complex organizations.

`(4) A proven record of achieving positive operational results.'.

(b) Deadline for Appointment; Incumbent- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall name an individual who meets the qualifications of section 701 of the Homeland Security Act (6 U.S.C. 341), as amended by subsection (a), to serve as the Under Secretary for Management. The Secretary may submit the name of the individual who serves in the position of Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security on the date of enactment of this Act together with a statement the informs the Congress that the individual meets the qualifications of such section as so amended.

SEC. 205. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING CONSOLIDATION OF DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that--

(1) the Department of Homeland Security and its component headquarters facilities are currently scattered widely throughout the National Capital Region (NCR);

(2) this geographic dispersal disrupts the Department's ability to operate in an efficient manner, and could impair its ability to prevent, deter, prepare for, and respond to a terrorist attack, major disaster, or other emergencies;

(3) the Government Accountability Office continues to list `Implementing and Transforming the Department of Homeland Security' on its `High Risk list';

(4) consolidating the Department's headquarters and component facilities, to the greatest extent practicable, would be an important step in facilitating the transformation and integration of the Department; and

(5) the President has provided funding for Department consolidation in the fiscal year 2008 budget, and has determined that the only site under the control of the Federal Government and in the NCR with the size, capacity, and security features to meet the Department of Homeland Security's minimum consolidation needs as identified in the Department of Homeland Security NCR Housing Master Plan submitted to Congress on October 24, 2006, is the West Campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital in the District of Columbia.

(b) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the consolidation of the Department and its key component headquarters on the West Campus of St. Elizabeths Hospital, to the maximum extent practicable consistent with the Department's Housing Plan as submitted to Congress in October 2006, should move forward as expeditiously as possible with all the agencies involved in this effort bearing those costs for which they are responsible.

SEC. 206. REQUIRED BUDGET LINE ITEM FOR OFFICE OF COUNTERNARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT.

In each fiscal year budget request for the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall include a separate line item for the fiscal year for expenditures by the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. 207. DESIGNATION OF OFFICE OF COUNTERNARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT AS PRIMARY DEPARTMENT COUNTERNARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT REPRESENTATIVE.

Section 878(d)(5) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 458(d)(5)) is amended by striking `to be a representative' and inserting `to be the primary representative'.

SEC. 208. GRANTING LINE AUTHORITY TO THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS.

Section 701 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 341) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`(d) Authority of Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Over Departmental Counterparts- The Secretary for the Department shall ensure that the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs has adequate authority or the Assistant Secretary's respective counterparts in component agencies of the Department to ensure that such component agencies adhere to the laws, rules, and regulations to which the Department is subject and the departmental policies that the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs is responsible for implementing.'.

TITLE III--OVERSIGHT IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 301. SECURE BORDER INITIATIVE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) In General- The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall review each contract action related to the Department's Secure Border Initiative having a value greater than $20,000,000, to determine whether each such action fully complies with applicable cost requirements, performance objectives, program milestones, inclusion of small, minority, and women-owned business, and timelines. The Inspector General shall complete a review under this subsection with respect to a contract action--

(1) not later than 60 days after the date of the initiation of the action; and

(2) upon the conclusion of the performance of the contract.

(b) Report by Inspector General- Upon completion of each review required under subsection (a), the Inspector General shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security a report containing the findings of the review, including findings regarding any cost overruns, significant delays in contract execution, lack of rigorous departmental contract management, insufficient departmental financial oversight, bundling that limits the ability of small business to compete, or other high risk business practices.

(c) Report by Secretary- Not later than 30 days after the receipt of each report required under subsection (b), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the findings of the report by the Inspector General and the steps the Secretary has taken, or plans to take, to address the findings in such report.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated for the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security to carry out enhanced oversight of the Secure Border Initiative--

(1) for fiscal year 2008, of the amount authorized by section 101 and in addition to the amount authorized by section 303, $5,500,000;

(2) for fiscal year 2009, at least 6 percent of the overall budget of the Office for that fiscal year; and

(3) for fiscal year 2010, at least 7 percent of the overall budget of the Office for that fiscal year.

(e) Action by Inspector General- In the event the Inspector General becomes aware of any improper conduct or wrongdoing in accordance with the contract review required under subsection (a), the Inspector General shall, as expeditiously as practicable, refer to the Secretary of Homeland Security or other appropriate official in the Department of Homeland Security information related to such improper conduct or wrongdoing for purposes of evaluating whether to suspend or debar the contractor.

SEC. 302. AUTHORIZATION LIAISON OFFICER.

Section 702 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 342) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(d) Authorization Liaison Officer-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Chief Financial Officer shall establish the position of Authorization Liaison Officer to provide timely budget and other financial information to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and other appropriate congressional committees. The Authorization Liaison Officer shall report directly to the Chief Financial Officer.

`(2) SUBMISSION OF REPORTS TO CONGRESS- The Authorization Liaison Officer shall coordinate with the Appropriations Liaison Officer within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer to ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that all reports prepared for the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate are submitted concurrently to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and other appropriate congressional committees.'.

SEC. 303. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations- Of the amount authorized by section 101, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security $108,500,000 for fiscal year 2008 for operations of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security.

(b) Assisting the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children-

(1) IN GENERAL- An Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security appointed under section 3 or 8G of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.) may authorize staff to use funds authorized under subsection (a) to assist the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, upon request by the Center--

(A) by conducting reviews of inactive case files that the Inspector General has reason to believe involve a child or possible offender located outside the United States, and to develop recommendations for further investigations; and

(B) by engaging in similar activities.

(2) LIMITATIONS-

(A) PRIORITY- An Inspector General may not permit staff to engage in activities described in paragraph (1) if such activities will interfere with the duties of the Inspector General under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).

(B) FUNDING- No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph.

SEC. 304. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT.

(a) In General- Title I of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 111 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 104. CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION.

`(a) In General- The Secretary shall actively consult with the congressional homeland security committees and other appropriate congressional committees, and shall keep such committees fully and currently informed with respect to all activities and responsibilities within the jurisdictions of these committees.

`(b) Relationship to Other Law- Nothing in this section affects the requirements of section 872. The requirements of this section supplement, and do not replace, the requirements of that section.

`(c) Classified Notification- The Secretary may submit any information required by this section in classified form if the information is classified pursuant to applicable national security standards.

`(d) Savings Clause- This section shall not be construed to limit or otherwise affect the congressional notification requirements of title V of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 413 et seq.), insofar as they apply to the Department.

`(e) Definition- As used in this section, the term `congressional homeland security committees' means the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such title the following:

`Sec. 104. Congressional notification.'.

(c) Coast Guard Mission Review Report- Section 888(f)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 468(f)(2)) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F) respectively; and

(2) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:

`(A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate;

`(B) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives;'.

TITLE IV--PROCUREMENT POLICY AND RESOURCES IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 401. HOMELAND SECURITY PROCUREMENT TRAINING.

(a) In General- Subtitle D of title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 836. HOMELAND SECURITY PROCUREMENT TRAINING.

`(a) Provision of Training- The Chief Procurement Officer shall provide homeland security procurement training to acquisition employees.

`(b) Responsibilities of Chief Procurement Officer- The Chief Procurement Officer shall carry out the following responsibilities:

`(1) Establish objectives to achieve the efficient and effective use of available acquisition resources by coordinating the acquisition education and training programs of the Department and tailoring them to support the careers of acquisition employees.

`(2) Develop, in consultation with the Council on Procurement Training established under subsection (d), the curriculum of the homeland security procurement training to be provided.

`(3) Establish, in consultation with the Council on Procurement Training, training standards, requirements, and courses to be required for acquisition employees.

`(4) Establish an appropriate centralized mechanism to control the allocation of resources for conducting such required courses and other training and education.

`(5) Select course providers and certify courses to ensure that the procurement training curriculum supports a coherent framework for the educational development of acquisition employees, including the provision of basic, intermediate, and advanced courses.

`(6) Publish an annual catalog that includes a list of the acquisition education and training courses.

`(7) Develop a system of maintaining records of student enrollment, and other data related to students and courses conducted pursuant to this section.

`(c) Eligibility for Training- An acquisition employee of any entity under subsection (d)(3) may receive training provided under this section. The appropriate member of the Council on Procurement Training may direct such an employee to receive procurement training.

`(d) Council on Procurement Training-

`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a Council on Procurement Training to advise and make policy and curriculum recommendations to the Chief Procurement Officer.

`(2) CHAIR OF COUNCIL- The chair of the Council on Procurement Training shall be the Deputy Chief Procurement Officer.

`(3) MEMBERS- The members of the Council on Procurement Training are the chief procurement officers of each of the following:

`(A) United States Customs and Border Protection.

`(B) The Transportation Security Administration.

`(C) The Office of Procurement Operations.

`(D) The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

`(E) The Federal Emergency Management Agency.

`(F) The Coast Guard.

`(G) The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

`(H) The United States Secret Service.

`(I) Such other entity as the Secretary determines appropriate.

`(e) Acquisition Employee Defined- For purposes of this section, the term `acquisition employee' means an employee serving under a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service or appointment of equivalent tenure in the excepted service of the Federal Government, at least 50 percent of whose assigned duties include acquisitions, procurement-related program management, or procurement-related oversight functions.

`(f) Report Required- Not later than March 1 of each year, the Chief Procurement Officer shall submit to the Secretary a report on the procurement training provided under this section, which shall include information about student enrollment, students who enroll but do not attend courses, graduates, certifications, and other relevant information.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subtitle the following:

`Sec. 836. Homeland security procurement training.'.

SEC. 402. AUTHORITY TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN A CADRE OF FEDERAL ANNUITANTS FOR PROCUREMENT OFFICES.

(a) Definitions- For purposes of this section--

(1) the term `procurement office' means the Office of Procurement Operations and any other procurement office within any agency or other component of the Department;

(2) the term `annuitant' means an annuitant under a Government retirement system;

(3) the term `Government retirement system' has the meaning given such term by section 501(a); and

(4) the term `employee' has the meaning given such term by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.

(b) Appointment Authority- The Secretary (acting through the Chief Procurement Officer) may, for the purpose of supporting the Department's acquisition capabilities and enhancing contract management throughout the Department, appoint annuitants to positions in procurement offices in accordance with succeeding provisions of this section, except that no authority under this subsection shall be available unless the Secretary provides to Congress a certification that--

(1) the Secretary has submitted a request under section 8344(i) or 8468(f) of title 5, United States Code, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, with respect to positions in procurement offices;

(2) the request described in paragraph (1) was properly filed; and

(3) the Office of Personnel Management has not responded to the request described in paragraph (1), by either approving, denying, or seeking more information regarding such request, within 90 days after the date on which such request was filed.

(c) Noncompetitive Procedures; Exemption From Offset- An appointment made under subsection (b) shall not be subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and any annuitant serving pursuant to such an appointment shall be exempt from sections 8344 and 8468 of such title 5 (relating to annuities and pay on reemployment) and any other similar provision of law under a Government retirement system.

(d) Limitations- No appointment under subsection (b) may be made if such appointment would result in the displacement of any employee or would cause the total number of positions filled by annuitants appointed under such subsection to exceed 250 as of any time (determined on a full-time equivalent basis).

(e) Rule of Construction- An annuitant as to whom an exemption under subsection (c) is in effect shall not be considered an employee for purposes of any Government retirement system.

(f) Termination of Authority- Effective 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act--

(1) all authority to make appointments under subsection (b) shall cease to be available; and

(2) all exemptions under subsection (c) shall cease to be effective.

SEC. 403. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT TO REVIEW PAST PERFORMANCE OF CONTRACTORS.

(a) In General- Such subtitle is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 837. REVIEW OF CONTRACTOR PAST PERFORMANCE.

`(a) Consideration of Contractor Past Performance- In awarding a contract to a contractor, the Secretary shall consider the past performance of that contractor based on the review conducted under subsection (b).

`(b) Review Required- Before awarding to a contractor (including a contractor that has previously provided goods or services to the Department) a contract to provide goods or services to the Department, the Secretary, acting through the appropriate contracting officer of the Department, shall require the contractor to submit past performance information regarding the contractor's performance of Federal, State, and local government and private sector contracts.

`(c) Contact of Relevant Officials- As part of any review of a contractor conducted under subsection (b), the Secretary, acting through an appropriate contracting officer of the Department, shall contact the relevant official who administered or oversaw each contract performed by that contractor during the five-year period preceding the date on which the review begins.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subtitle the following:

`Sec. 837. Review of contractor past performance.'.

SEC. 404. REQUIREMENT TO DISCLOSE FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL OF CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS.

(a) Compliance With Buy American Act- With respect to any procurement of goods or services by the Department of Homeland Security, the Chief Procurement Officer of the Department shall conduct an independent review of the procurement to ensure that it complies with all relevant provisions of the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 10a et seq.).

(b) Foreign Ownership or Control of Contractors and Subcontractors-

(1) DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION- With respect to any procurement of goods or services by the Department of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall require an offeror or prospective offeror to disclose whether the offeror or any prospective subcontractor (at any tier) is owned or controlled by a foreign person. The Secretary shall require all offerors, prospective offerors, and contractors to update the disclosure at any time before award of the contract or during performance of the contract, if the information provided becomes incorrect because of a change of ownership, a change in subcontractors, or for any other reason.

(2) FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OR CONTROL- In this subsection:

(A) The term `owned or controlled by a foreign person', with respect to an offeror, contractor, or subcontractor, means that a foreign person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the voting stock or other ownership interest in the offeror, contractor, or subcontractor.

(B) The term `foreign person' means any of the following:

(i) A foreign government.

(ii) A corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country.

(iii) An individual who is not a citizen of the United States.

(3) REGULATIONS- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate regulations to carry out this subsection.

SEC. 405. INTEGRITY IN CONTRACTING.

(a) In General- Subtitle D of title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 391 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 838. INTEGRITY IN CONTRACTING.

`(a) Attestation Required- The Secretary shall require any offeror for any contract to provide goods or services to the Department to submit as part of the offeror's bid for such contract an attestation that affirmatively discloses any substantial role the offeror, the employees of the offeror, or any corporate parent or subsidiary of the offeror may have played in creating a solicitation, request for proposal, statement of work, or statement of objectives (as those terms are defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation) for the Department.

`(b) Additional Requirements for Certain Offerors- If an offeror submits an attestation under subsection (a) that discloses that the offeror, an employee of the offeror, or any corporate parent or subsidiary of the offeror played a substantial role in creating a solicitation, request for proposal, statement of work, or statement of objectives for the Department, the Secretary shall require the offeror to submit to the Secretary a description of the safeguards used to ensure that precautions were in place to prevent the offeror from receiving information through such role that could be used to provide the offeror an undue advantage in submitting an offer for a contract.

`(c) Certification Requirements-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall require any offeror for any contract to provide goods or services to the Department to submit to the Secretary as part of the offeror's bid for such contract a certification in writing whether, as of the date on which the certification is submitted, the offeror--

`(A) is in default on any payment of any tax to the Federal Government; or

`(B) owes the Federal Government for any payment of any delinquent tax.

`(2) FAILURE OF CERTIFICATION- Nothing in this section shall prevent the Department from awarding a contract to an offeror based solely on the offeror's certification.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is further amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subtitle the following:

`Sec. 838. Integrity in contracting.'.

SEC. 406. SMALL BUSINESS UTILIZATION REPORT.

(a) Report- Not later than 360 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Procurement Officer of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that--

(1) identifies each component of the Department for which the aggregate value of contracts awarded in fiscal year 2006 by the component to qualified HUBZone small business concerns and small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans was less than 3 percent of the total value of all contracts awarded under the component for that fiscal year; and

(2) identifies each component of the Department for which the aggregate value of contracts awarded in fiscal year 2006 by the component to socially or economically disadvantaged small business concerns, including 8(a) small business concerns, and small business concerns owned and controlled by women was less than 5 percent of the total value of all contracts awarded by the component for that fiscal year.

(b) Action Plan-

(1) ACTION PLAN REQUIRED- Not later than 90 days after the date of the submission of the report required under subsection (a), the Chief Procurement Officer, in consultation with Office of Small and Disadvantaged Businesses Utilization of the Department, shall for each component identified under subsection (a)(1) and (a)(2), develop, submit to the Committees referred to in subsection (a), and begin implementing an action plan for achieving the objective described in subsection (b)(2). An action plan is not required if the component meets or exceeds the objective described in subsection (b)(2).

(2) IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS- Each action plan shall identify and describe any barriers to achieving the objectives of awarding by the component, for a fiscal year, contracts having an aggregate value of at least 3 percent of the total value of all contracts awarded by the component for the fiscal year to small business concerns identified under subsection (a)(1) and 5 percent of the total value of all contracts awarded by the component for the fiscal year to small business concerns identified under subsection (a)(2).

(3) PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND TIMETABLE- Each action plan submitted under paragraph (1) shall include performance measures and a timetable for compliance and achievement of the objectives described in paragraph (2).

(c) Definitions- For purposes of this section, the terms `small business concern', `socially or economically disadvantaged small business concern', `women owned small business concern', `small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans', `8(a) small business concerns', and `qualified HUBZone small business concern' have the meanings given such terms under the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).

SEC. 407. REQUIREMENT THAT UNIFORMS, PROTECTIVE GEAR, BADGES, AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS OF HOMELAND SECURITY PERSONNEL BE MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES.

(a) In General- Subtitle D of title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 391 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 839. REQUIREMENT THAT CERTAIN ARTICLES PROCURED FOR DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL BE MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES.

`(a) Requirement- Except as provided in section (c), funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department may not be used for the procurement of an article described in section (b) if the item is not manufactured in the United States.

`(b) Covered Articles- An article referred to in subsection (a) is any of the following articles procured for personnel of the Department:

`(1) Uniforms.

`(2) Protective gear.

`(3) Badges or other insignia indicating the rank, office, or position of personnel.

`(c) Availability Exception- Subsection (a) does not apply to the extent that the Secretary determines that satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of the article cannot be procured as and when needed at United States market prices. If such a determination is made with respect to an article, the Secretary shall--

`(1) notify the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate within 7 days after making the determination; and

`(2) include in that notification a certification that manufacturing the article outside the United States does not pose a risk to the national security of the United States, as well as a detailed explanation of the steps any facility outside the United States that is manufacturing the article will be required to take to ensure that the materials, patterns, logos, designs, or any other element used in or for the article are not misappropriated.

`(d) Other Exceptions- Subsection (a) does not apply--

`(1) to acquisitions at or below the simplified acquisition threshold (as defined in section 4 of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403)); and

`(2) to acquisitions outside the United States for use outside of the United States.

`(e) Use of Domestic Textiles- For fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall take all available steps to ensure that, to the maximum extent practicable, the items described in subsection (b) procured by the Department are manufactured using domestic textiles.'.

(b) Conforming Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subtitle the following new item:

`Sec. 839. Requirement that certain articles procured for Department personnel be manufactured in the United States.'.

(c) Applicability- The amendments made by this section take effect 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and apply to any contract entered into on or after that date for the procurement of items to which such amendments apply.

SEC. 408. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization a Mentor-Protege Program, which shall motivate and encourage prime contractors that are large businesses to provide developmental assistance to small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, HUBZone small business concerns, small business concerns owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and small business concerns owned and controlled by women.

(b) Participation by Contractors and Offerors- The Secretary shall take affirmative steps to publicize and to ensure that Department contractors and offerors are fully aware of and are participating in the Mentor-Protege Program, including that their efforts to seek and develop a formal Mentor-Protege relationship will be a factor in the evaluation of bids or offers for Department contracts.

(c) Factor in Evaluation of Offers- When evaluating the offer of a contractor, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consider, among the other factors the Secretary deems relevant, that offeror's efforts to seek and develop a formal Mentor-Protege relationship under the Mentor-Protege Program.

(d) Review by Inspector General- The Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall conduct a review of the Mentor-Protege Program. Such review shall include--

(1) an assessment of the program's effectiveness;

(2) identification of any barriers that restrict contractors from participating in the program;

(3) a comparison of the program with the Department of Defense Mentor-Protege Program; and

(4) development of recommendations to strengthen the program to include the maximum number of contractors as possible.

SEC. 409. REPORT ON SOURCE OF SHORTFALLS AT FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE.

Consistent with any applicable law, the Secretary of Homeland Security may not conduct a reduction in force or furlough of the workforce of the Federal Protective Service until--

(1) the Comptroller General of the United States submits to the Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate the report on the source of shortfalls at the Federal Protective Service that was requested by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and

(2) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives have conducted hearings on such report.

TITLE V--WORKFORCE AND TRAINING IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 501. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION OFFICER PAY EQUITY.

(a) Definitions- For purposes of this section:

(1) The term `Government retirement system' means a retirement system established by law for employees of the Government of the United States.

(2) The term `Customs and Border Protection Officer position' refers to any Customs and Border Protection Officer position--

(A) which is within the Department of Homeland Security, and

(B) the primary duties of which consist of enforcing the border, customs, or agriculture laws of the United States;

such term includes a supervisory or administrative position within the Department of Homeland Security to which an individual transfers directly from a position described in the preceding provisions of this paragraph in which such individual served for at least three years.

(3) The term `law enforcement officer' has the meaning given such term under the Government retirement system involved.

(4) The term `Executive agency' or `agency' has the meaning given under section 105 of title 5, United States Code.

(5) The term `prior qualified service' means service as a Customs and Border Protection Officer within the Department of Homeland Security, since its establishment in March 2003.

(b) Treatment as a Law Enforcement Officer- In the administration of any Government retirement system, service in a Customs and Border Protection Officer position shall be treated in the same way as service performed in a law enforcement officer position, subject to succeeding provisions of this section.

(c) Applicability- Subsection (b) shall apply in the case of--

(1) any individual first appointed to a Customs and Border Protection Officer position on or after the date of the enactment of this Act; and

(2) any individual who--

(A) holds a Customs and Border Protection Officer position on the date of the enactment of this Act pursuant to an appointment made before such date; and

(B) who submits to the agency administering the retirement system involved an appropriate election under this section, not later than five years after the date of the enactment of this Act or before separation from Government service, whichever is earlier.

(d) Individual Contributions for Prior Qualified Service-

(1) IN GENERAL- An individual described in subsection (c)(2)(B) may, with respect to prior qualified service performed by such individual, contribute to the Government retirement system by which such individual is covered (for deposit in the appropriate fund within the Treasury) the difference between the individual contributions that were actually made for such service and the individual contributions that should have been made for such service if subsection (b) had then been in effect (with interest).

(2) EFFECT OF NOT CONTRIBUTING- If less than the full contribution under paragraph (1) is made, all prior qualified service of the individual shall remain fully creditable as law enforcement officer service, but the resulting annuity (before cost-of-living adjustments) shall be reduced in a manner such that, when combined with the unpaid amount, would result in the present value of the total being actuarially equivalent to the present value of the annuity that would otherwise have been payable if the full contribution had been made.

(e) Government Contributions for Prior Qualified Service-

(1) IN GENERAL- If an individual makes an election under subsection (c)(2)(B), the Department of Homeland Security shall remit, with respect to any prior qualified service, the total amount of additional Government contributions that would have been required for such service under the retirement system involved if subsection (b) had then been in effect (with interest).

(2) CONTRIBUTIONS TO BE MADE RATABLY- Government contributions under this subsection on behalf of an individual shall be made ratably (on at least an annual basis) over the ten-year period beginning on the date an individual's retirement deductions begin to be made.

(f) Exemption From Mandatory Separation- Effective during the three-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, nothing in this section shall result in any individual being involuntarily separated on account of the provisions of any retirement system relating to the mandatory separation of a law enforcement officer on account of age or age and service combined.

(g) Comptroller General Report- The Comptroller General shall conduct a comprehensive review of the retirement system for law enforcement officers employed by the Federal Government. The review shall include all employees categorized as law enforcement officers for purposes of retirement and any other Federal employee performing law enforcement officer duties not so categorized. In carrying out the review, the Comptroller General shall review legislative proposals introduced over the 10 years preceding the date of the enactment of this Act that are relevant to the issue law enforcement retirement and consult with law enforcement agencies and law enforcement employee representatives. Not later than August 1, 2007, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of such review. The report shall include each of the following:

(1) An assessment of the reasons and goals for the establishment of the separate retirement system for law enforcement officers, as defined in section 8331 of title 5, United States Code, including the need for young and vigorous law enforcement officers, and whether such reasons and goals are currently appropriate.

(2) An assessment of the more recent reasons given for including additional groups of employees in such system, including recruitment and retention, and whether such reasons and goals are currently appropriate.

(3) A determination as to whether the system is achieving the goals in (1) and (2).

(4) A summary of potential alternatives to the system, including increased use of bonuses, increased pay, and raising the mandatory retirement age, and a recommendation as to which alternatives would best meet each goal defined in (1) and (2), including legislative recommendations if necessary.

(5) A recommendation for the definition of law enforcement officer.

(6) An detailed review of the current system including its mandatory retirement age and benefit accrual.

(7) A recommendation as to whether the law enforcement officer category should be made at the employee, function and duty, job classification, agency or other level, and by whom.

(8) Any other relevant information.

(h) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be considered to apply in the case of a reemployed annuitant.

(i) Regulations- Any regulations necessary to carry out this section shall be prescribed in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security.

SEC. 502. PLAN TO IMPROVE REPRESENTATION OF MINORITIES IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF EMPLOYMENT.

(a) Plan for Improving Representation of Minorities- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Chief Human Capital Officer of the Department of Homeland Security shall prepare and transmit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the Comptroller General of the United States a plan to achieve the objective of addressing any under representation of minorities in the various categories of civil service employment within such Department. Such plan shall identify and describe any barriers to achieving the objective described in the preceding sentence and the strategies and measures included in the plan to overcome them.

(b) Assessments- Not later than 1 year after receiving the plan, the Comptroller General of the United States shall assess--

(1) any programs and other measures currently being implemented to achieve the objective described in the first sentence of subsection (a); and

(2) the likelihood that the plan will allow the Department to achieve such objective.

(c) Definitions- For purposes of this section--

(1) the term `under representation' means when the members of a minority group within a category of Federal civil service employment constitute a lower percentage of the total number of employees within the employment category than the percentage that the minority constitutes within the labor force of the Federal Government, according to statistics issued by the Office of Personnel Management;

(2) the term `minority groups' or `minorities' means--

(A) racial and ethnic minorities;

(B) women; and

(C) individuals with disabilities; and

(3) the term `category of civil service employment' means--

(A) each pay grade, pay band, or other classification of every pay schedule and all other levels of pay applicable to the Department of Homeland Security; and

(B) such occupational, professional, or other groupings (including occupational series) as the Chief Human Capital Officer of the Department of Homeland Security may specify, in the plan described in subsection (a), in order to carry out the purposes of this section.

SEC. 503. CONTINUATION OF AUTHORITY FOR FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN A CADRE OF FEDERAL ANNUITANTS.

Section 1202(a) of the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States (42 U.S.C. 3771 note) is amended in the first sentence by striking `December 31, 2007' and inserting `December 31, 2008'.

SEC. 504. AUTHORITY TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN A CADRE OF FEDERAL ANNUITANTS FOR CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

(a) Definitions- For purposes of this section--

(1) the term `CBP' means the United States Customs and Border Protection;

(2) the term `annuitant' means an annuitant under a Government retirement system;

(3) the term `Government retirement system' has the meaning given such term by section 501(a); and

(4) the term `employee' has the meaning given such term by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.

(b) Appointment Authority- The Secretary (acting through the Commissioner of the United States Customs and Border Protection) may, for the purpose of accelerating the ability of the CBP to secure the borders of the United States, appoint annuitants to positions in the CBP in accordance with succeeding provisions of this section, except that no authority under this subsection shall be available unless the Secretary provides to Congress a certification that--

(1) the Secretary has submitted a request under section 8344(i) or 8468(f) of title 5, United States Code, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, with respect to positions in the CBP;

(2) the request described in paragraph (1) was properly filed; and

(3) the Office of Personnel Management has not responded to the request described in paragraph (1), by either approving, denying, or seeking more information regarding such request, within 90 days after the date on which such request was filed.

(c) Noncompetitive Procedures; Exemption From Offset- An appointment made under subsection (b) shall not be subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and any annuitant serving pursuant to such an appointment shall be exempt from sections 8344 and 8468 of such title 5 (relating to annuities and pay on reemployment) and any other similar provision of law under a Government retirement system.

(d) Limitations- No appointment under subsection (b) may be made if such appointment would result in the displacement of any employee or would cause the total number of positions filled by annuitants appointed under such subsection to exceed 500 as of any time (determined on a full-time equivalent basis).

(e) Rule of Construction- An annuitant as to whom an exemption under subsection (c) is in effect shall not be considered an employee for purposes of any Government retirement system.

(f) Termination of Authority- Effective 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act--

(1) all authority to make appointments under subsection (b) shall cease to be available; and

(2) all exemptions under subsection (c) shall cease to be effective.

SEC. 505. STRENGTHENING BORDER PATROL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

(a) In General- In order to address the recruitment and retention challenges faced by United States Customs and Border Protection, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a plan, consistent with existing Federal statutes and Office of Personnel Management Regulations and Guidelines applicable to pay, recruitment, relocation, and retention of Federal law enforcement officers. Such plan shall include the following components:

(1) The establishment of a recruitment incentive for Border Patrol agents, including the establishment of a foreign language incentive award.

(2) The establishment of a retention plan, including the payment of bonuses to Border Patrol agents for every year of service after the first two years of service.

(3) An increase in the pay percentage differentials to Border Patrol agents in certain high-cost areas, as determined by the Secretary, consistent with entry-level pay to other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.

(4) The establishment of a mechanism whereby Border Patrol agents can transfer from one location to another after the first two years of service in their initial duty location.

(5) The establishment of quarterly goals for the recruitment of new Border Patrol agents, including goals for the number of recruits entering Border Patrol training, and the number of recruits who successfully complete such training and become Border Patrol agents.

(b) Report-

(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than the first calendar quarter after the date of the enactment of this Act and every calendar quarter thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report identifying whether the quarterly goals for the recruitment of new Border Patrol agents established under subsection (a)(5) were met, and an update on the status of recruitment efforts and attrition rates among Border Patrol agents.

(2) CONTENTS OF REPORT- The report required under paragraph (1) shall contain, at a minimum, the following with respect to each calendar quarter:

(A) The number of recruits who enter Border Patrol training.

(B) The number of recruits who successfully complete such training and become Border Patrol agents.

(C) The number of Border Patrol agents who are lost to attrition.

SEC. 506. LIMITATION ON REIMBURSEMENTS RELATING TO CERTAIN DETAILEES.

In the case of an individual assigned to the Department of Homeland Security as a detailee under an arrangement described in subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, the maximum reimbursement by the Department of Homeland Security which may be made under section 3374(c) of such title with respect to such individual for the period of the assignment (including for any employee benefits) may not exceed the total amount of basic pay that would have been payable for such period if such individual had been paid, at the highest rate allowable under section 5382 of such title, as a member of the Senior Executive Service.

SEC. 507. INCREASED SECURITY SCREENING OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICIALS.

(a) Review Required- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct a Department-wide review of the Department of Homeland Security security clearance and suitability review procedures for Department employees and contractors, as well as individuals in State and local government agencies and private sector entities with a need to receive classified information.

(b) Strengthening of Security Screening Policies-

(1) IN GENERAL- Based on the findings of the review conducted under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, as appropriate, take all necessary steps to strengthen the Department's security screening policies, including consolidating the security clearance investigative authority at the headquarters of the Department.

(2) ELEMENTS- In strengthening security screening policies under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider whether and where appropriate ensure that--

(A) all components of the Department of Homeland Security meet or exceed Federal and Departmental standards for security clearance investigations, adjudications, and suitability reviews;

(B) the Department has a cadre of well-trained adjudicators and the Department has in place a program to train and oversee adjudicators; and

(C) suitability reviews are conducted for all Department of Homeland Security employees who transfer from a component of the Department to the headquarters of the Departmental.

SEC. 508. AUTHORITIES OF CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER.

(a) Establishment- Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 341 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 708. CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER.

`(a) Establishment- There is in the Department a Chief Security Officer.

`(b) Responsibilities- The Chief Security Officer shall--

`(1) have responsibility for overall Department-wide security activities, including issuing and confiscating credentials, controlling access to and disposing of classified and sensitive but unclassified materials, controlling access to sensitive areas and Secured Compartmentalized Intelligence Facilities, and communicating with other government agencies on the status of security clearances and security clearance applications;

`(2) ensure that each component of the Department complies with Federal standards for security clearances and background investigations;

`(3) ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that individuals in State and local government agencies and private sector entities with a need to receive classified information, receive the appropriate clearances in a timely fashion; and

`(4) perform all other functions as determined by the Secretary.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the items relating to such title the following new item:

`Sec. 708. Chief Security Officer.'.

SEC. 509. DEPARTMENTAL CULTURE IMPROVEMENT.

(a) Consideration Required- The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Chief Human Capital Officer, shall consider implementing recommendations set forth in the Homeland Security Advisory Council Culture Task Force Report of January 2007.

(b) Identification of Terms- As part of this consideration, the Secretary, acting through the Chief Human Capital Officer, shall identify an appropriate term, as among `workforce', `personnel', and `employee', to replace `human capital' and integrate its use throughout the operations, policies, and programs of the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. 510. HOMELAND SECURITY EDUCATION PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS.

Section 845(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 415(b)) is amended to read as follows:

`(b) Leveraging of Existing Resources- To maximize efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out the Program, the Administrator shall use curricula modeled on existing Department-reviewed Master's Degree curricula in homeland security, including curricula pending accreditation, together with associated learning materials, quality assessment tools, digital libraries, asynchronous distance learning, video conferencing, exercise systems, and other educational facilities, including the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, the National Fire Academy, and the Emergency Management Institute. The Administrator may develop additional educational programs, as appropriate.'.

SEC. 511. REPEAL OF CHAPTER 97 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE.

(a) Repeal-

(1) IN GENERAL- Effective as of the date specified in section 4 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 note), chapter 97 of title 5, United States Code (as added by section 841(a)(2) of such Act), section 841(b)(3) of such Act, and subsections (c) and (e) of section 842 of such Act are repealed.

(2) REGULATIONS- Any regulations prescribed under authority of chapter 97 of title 5, United States Code, are void ab initio.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of chapters for part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to chapter 97.

SEC. 512. UTILIZATION OF NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AS INSTRUCTORS FOR NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT CLASSES AT THE BORDER PATROL TRAINING ACADEMY.

The Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) of the Department of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Chief of the Border Patrol, is authorized to select appropriate employees of the Federal Government other than law enforcement officers (as defined in section 8401(17) of title 5, United States Code) to serve as instructors of non-law enforcement classes.

SEC. 513. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL PROHIBITED.

(a) Termination Prohibited-

(1) IN GENERAL- No employee may be terminated, demoted, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment because such employee is absent from or late to the employee's employment for the purpose of serving as a volunteer firefighter or providing volunteer emergency medical services as part of a response to an emergency or major disaster.

(2) DEPLOYMENT- The prohibition in paragraph (1) shall apply to an employee serving as a volunteer firefighter or providing volunteer emergency medical services if such employee--

(A) is specifically deployed to respond to the emergency or major disaster in accordance with a coordinated national deployment system such as the Emergency Management Assistance Compact or a pre-existing mutual aid agreement; or

(B) is a volunteer firefighter who--

(i) is a member of a qualified volunteer fire department that is located in the State in which the emergency or major disaster occurred;

(ii) is not a member of a qualified fire department that has a mutual aid agreement with a community affected by such emergency or major disaster; and

(iii) has been deployed by the emergency management agency of such State to respond to such emergency or major disaster.

(3) LIMITATIONS- The prohibition in paragraph (1) shall not apply to an employee who--

(A) is absent from the employee's employment for the purpose described in paragraph (1) for more than 14 days per calendar year;

(B) responds to the emergency or major disaster without being officially deployed as described in paragraph (2); or

(C) fails to provide the written verification described in paragraph (5) within a reasonable period of time.

(4) WITHHOLDING OF PAY- An employer may reduce an employee's regular pay for any time that the employee is absent from the employee's employment for the purpose described in paragraph (1).

(5) VERIFICATION- An employer may require an employee to provide a written verification from the official of the Federal Emergency Management Agency supervising the Federal response to the emergency or major disaster or a local or State official managing the local or State response to the emergency or major disaster that states--

(A) the employee responded to the emergency or major disaster in an official capacity; and

(B) the schedule and dates of the employee's participation in such response.

(6) REASONABLE NOTICE REQUIRED- An employee who may be absent from or late to the employee's employment for the purpose described in paragraph (1) shall--

(A) make a reasonable effort to notify the employee's employer of such absence; and

(B) continue to provide reasonable notifications over the course of such absence.

(b) Right of Action-

(1) RIGHT OF ACTION- An individual who has been terminated, demoted, or in any other manner discriminated against in the terms and conditions of employment in violation of the prohibition described in subsection (a) may bring, in a district court of the United States of appropriate jurisdiction, a civil action against individual's employer seeking--

(A) reinstatement of the individual's former employment;

(B) payment of back wages;

(C) reinstatement of benefits; and

(D) if the employment granted seniority rights, reinstatement of seniority rights.

(2) LIMITATION- The individual shall commence a civil action under this section not later than 1 year after the date of the violation of the prohibition described in subsection (a).

(c) Study and Report-

(1) STUDY- The Secretary of Labor shall conduct a study on the impact that the requirements of this section could have on the employers of volunteer firefighters or individuals who provide volunteer emergency medical services and who may be called on to respond to an emergency or major disaster.

(2) REPORT- Not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall submit a report of the study conducted under paragraph (1) to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives.

(d) Definitions- In this section--

(1) the term `emergency' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122);

(2) the term `major disaster' has the meanings given such term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122);

(3) the term `qualified volunteer fire department' has the meaning given such term in section 150(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

(4) the term `volunteer emergency medical services' means emergency medical services performed on a voluntary basis for a fire department or other emergency organization; and

(5) the term `volunteer firefighter' means an individual who is a member in good standing of a qualified volunteer fire department.

TITLE VI--BIOPREPAREDNESS IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 601. CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AND OFFICE OF HEALTH AFFAIRS.

Section 516 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321e) is amended to read as follows:

`SEC. 516. CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER.

`(a) In General- There is in the Department a Chief Medical Officer, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall have the rank and title of Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer (in this section referred to as the `Chief Medical Officer').

`(b) Office of Health Affairs- There is in the Department an Office of Health Affairs, which shall be headed by the Chief Medical Officer.

`(c) Qualifications- The individual appointed as the Chief Medical Officer shall possess a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of medicine, public health, and the treatment of illnesses caused by chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological agents.

`(d) Responsibilities- The Chief Medical Officer shall have the primary responsibility within the Department for medical and health issues related to the general roles, responsibilities, and operations of the Department, and terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, including--

`(1) serving as the principal advisor to the Secretary and leading the Department's medical care, public health, food, water, veterinary care, and agro- security and defense responsibilities;

`(2) providing oversight for all medically-related actions and protocols of the Department's medical personnel;

`(3) administering the Department's responsibilities for medical readiness, including--

`(A) planning and guidance to support improvements in local training, equipment, and exercises funded by the Department; and

`(B) consistent with the National Response Plan established pursuant to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 8, assisting in fulfilling the Department's roles in related emergency support functions;

`(4) serving as the Department's primary point of contact with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other Federal departments and agencies, on all matters of medical and public health to ensure coordination consistent with the National Response Plan;

`(5) serving as the Department's primary point of contact for State, local, tribal, and territorial governments, the medical community, and the private sector, to ensure that medical readiness and response activities are coordinated and consistent with the National Response Plan and the Secretary's incident management requirements;

`(6) managing the Department's biodefense and biosurveillance activities including the National Biosurveillance Integration System, and the Departments responsibilities under Project BioShield in coordination with the Under Secretary of Science and Technology as appropriate;

`(7) assuring that the Department's workforce has science-based policy, standards, requirements, and metrics for occupational safety and health;

`(8) supporting the operational requirements of the Department's components with respect to protective medicine and tactical medical support;

`(9) developing, in coordination with appropriate Department entities and other appropriate Federal agencies, end-to-end plans for prevention, readiness, protection, response, and recovery from catastrophic events with human, animal, agricultural, or environmental health consequences;

`(10) integrating into the end-to-end plans developed under paragraph (9), Department of Health and Human Services' efforts to identify and deploy medical assets (including human, fixed, and material assets) used in preparation for or response to national disasters and catastrophes, and to enable access to patient electronic medical records by medical personnel to aid treatment of displaced persons in such circumstance, in order to assure that actions of both Departments are combined for maximum effectiveness during an emergency consistent with the National Response Plan and applicable emergency support functions;

`(11) performing other duties relating to such responsibilities as the Secretary may require; and

`(12) directing and maintaining a coordinated system for medical support of the Department's operational activities.'.

SEC. 602. IMPROVING THE MATERIAL THREATS PROCESS.

(a) In General- Section 319F-2(c)(2)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6b(c)(2)(A)) is amended--

(1) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively;

(2) by moving each of such subclauses two ems to the right;

(3) by striking `(A) MATERIAL THREAT- The Homeland Security Secretary' and inserting the following:

`(A) MATERIAL THREAT-

`(i) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security'; and

(4) by adding at the end the following clauses:

`(ii) USE OF EXISTING RISK ASSESSMENTS- For the purpose of satisfying the requirements of clause (i) as expeditiously as possible, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, as practicable, utilize existing risk assessments that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Defense, and Agriculture, and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, considers credible.

`(iii) ORDER OF ASSESSMENTS-

`(I) GROUPINGS TO FACILITATE ASSESSMENT OF COUNTERMEASURES- In conducting threat assessments and determinations under clause (i) of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, to the extent practicable and appropriate, consider the completion of such assessments and determinations for groups of agents toward the goal of facilitating the assessment of countermeasures under paragraph (3) by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

`(II) CATEGORIES OF COUNTERMEASURES- The grouping of agents under subclause (I) by the Secretary of Homeland Security shall be designed to facilitate assessments under paragraph (3) by the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the following two categories of countermeasures:

`(aa) Countermeasures that may address more than one agent identified under clause (i)(II).

`(bb) Countermeasures that may address adverse health consequences that are common to exposure to different agents.

`(III) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION- A particular grouping of agents pursuant to subclause (II) is not required under such subclause to facilitate assessments of both categories of countermeasures described in such subclause. A grouping may concern one category and not the other.

`(iv) DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION OF CERTAIN MATERIAL THREAT DETERMINATIONS- With respect to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents known to the Secretary of Homeland Security as of the day before the date of the enactment of this clause, and which such Secretary considers to be capable of significantly affecting national security, such Secretary shall complete the determinations under clause (i)(II) not later than December 31, 2007.

`(v) REPORT TO CONGRESS- Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Homeland Security completes a material threat assessment under clause (i), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of such assessment.

`(vi) DEFINITION- For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `risk assessment' means a scientific, technically-based analysis of agents that incorporates threat, vulnerability, and consequence information.'.

(b) Authorization of Appropriations- Section 521(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321j(d)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1), by striking `2006,' and inserting `2009,'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(3) ADDITIONAL AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS REGARDING CERTAIN THREAT ASSESSMENTS- For the purpose of providing an additional amount to the Secretary to assist the Secretary in meeting the requirements of clause (iv) of section 319F-2(c)(2)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (relating to time frames), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008, in addition to the authorization of appropriations established in paragraph (1). The purposes for which such additional amount may be expended include conducting risk assessments regarding clause (i)(II) of such section when there are no existing risk assessments that the Secretary considers credible.'.

SEC. 603. STUDY ON NATIONAL BIODEFENSE TRAINING.

(a) Study Required- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary for Health and Human Services, conduct a joint study to determine the staffing and training requirements for pending capital programs to construct biodefense laboratories (including agriculture and animal laboratories) at Biosafety Level 3 and Biosafety Level 4 or to expand current biodefense laboratories to such biosafety levels.

(b) Elements- In conducting the study, the Secretaries shall address the following:

(1) The number of trained personnel, by discipline and qualification level, required for existing biodefense laboratories at Biosafety Level 3 and Biosafety Level 4, including the number trained in Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).

(2) The number of research and support staff, including researchers, laboratory technicians, animal handlers, facility managers, facility or equipment maintainers, safety and security personnel (including biosafety, physical security, and cybersecurity personnel), and other safety personnel required to manage biodefense research efforts to combat bioterrorism at the planned biodefense laboratories described in subsection (a).

(3) The training required to provide the personnel described by paragraphs (1) and (2), including the type of training (whether classroom, laboratory, or field training) required, the length of training required by discipline, and the curriculum required to be developed for such training.

(4) Training schedules necessary to meet the scheduled openings of the biodefense laboratories described in subsection (a), including schedules for refresher training and continuing education that may be necessary for that purpose.

(c) Report- Not later than December 31, 2007, the Secretaries shall submit to Congress a report setting forth the results of the study conducted under this section.

SEC. 604. NATIONAL BIOSURVEILLANCE INTEGRATION CENTER.

(a) In General- Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 316. NATIONAL BIOSURVEILLANCE INTEGRATION CENTER.

`(a) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish a National Biosurveillance Integration Center (referred to in this section as the `NBIC') to enhance the capability of the Federal Government to rapidly identify, characterize, and localize a biological event by integrating and analyzing data related to human health, animals, plants, food, and the environment. The NBIC shall be headed by a Director.

`(b) Integrated Biosurveillance Network- As part of the NBIC, the Director shall develop, operate, and maintain an integrated network to detect, as early as possible, a biological event that presents a risk to the United States or the infrastructure or key assets of the United States. The network shall--

`(1) consolidate data from all relevant surveillance systems maintained by the Department and other governmental and private sources, both foreign and domestic, to the extent practicable; and

`(2) use an information technology system that uses the best available statistical and other analytical tools to identify and characterize biological events in as close to real-time as possible.

`(c) Responsibilities-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Director shall--

`(A) monitor on an ongoing basis the availability and appropriateness of candidate data feeds and solicit new surveillance systems with data that would enhance biological situational awareness or overall performance of the NBIC;

`(B) review and seek to improve on an ongoing basis the statistical and other analytical methods used by the NBIC;

`(C) establish a procedure to enable Federal, State and local government, and private sector entities to report suspicious events that could warrant further assessments by the NBIC;

`(D) receive and consider all relevant homeland security information; and

`(E) provide technical assistance, as appropriate, to all Federal, State, and local government entities and private sector entities that contribute data relevant to the operation of the NBIC.

`(2) ASSESSMENTS- The Director shall--

`(A) continuously evaluate available data for evidence of a biological event; and

`(B) integrate homeland security information with NBIC data to provide overall biological situational awareness and determine whether a biological event has occurred.

`(3) INFORMATION SHARING- The Director shall--

`(A) establish a mechanism for real-time communication with the National Operations Center;

`(B) provide integrated information to the heads of the departments and agencies with which the Director has entered into an agreement under subsection (d);

`(C) notify the Secretary, the head of the National Operations Center, and the heads of appropriate Federal, State, tribal, and local entities of any significant biological event identified by the NBIC;

`(D) provide reports on NBIC assessments to Federal, State, and local government entities, including departments and agencies with which the Director has entered into an agreement under subsection (d), and any private sector entities, as considered appropriate by the Director; and

`(E) use information sharing networks available to the Department for distributing NBIC incident or situational awareness reports.

`(d) Interagency Agreements-

`(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall, where feasible, enter into agreements with the heads of appropriate Federal departments and agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of State, the Department of Interior, and the Intelligence Community.

`(2) CONTENT OF AGREEMENTS- Under an agreement entered into under paragraph (1), the head of a Federal department or agency shall agree to--

`(A) use the best efforts of the department or agency to integrate biosurveillance information capabilities through NBIC;

`(B) provide timely, evaluated information to assist the NBIC in maintaining biological situational awareness for timely and accurate detection and response purposes;

`(C) provide connectivity for the biosurveillance data systems of the department or agency to the NBIC network under mutually agreed protocols;

`(D) detail, if practicable, to the NBIC department or agency personnel with relevant expertise in human, animal, plant, food, or environmental disease analysis and interpretation;

`(E) retain responsibility for the surveillance and intelligence systems of that department or agency, if applicable; and

`(F) participate in forming the strategy and policy for the operation and information sharing practices of the NBIC.

`(e) Notification of Director- The Secretary shall ensure that the Director is notified of homeland security information relating to any significant biological threat and receives all classified and unclassified reports related to such a threat in a timely manner.

`(f) Administrative Authorities-

`(1) PRIVACY- The Secretary shall--

`(A) designate the NBIC as a public health authority;

`(B) ensure that the NBIC complies with any applicable requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; and

`(C) ensure that all applicable privacy regulations are strictly adhered to in the operation of the NBIC and the sharing of any information related to the NBIC.

`(2) COLLECTION OF INFORMATION- The NBIC, as a public health authority with a public health mission, is authorized to collect or receive health information, including such information protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability.

`(g) NBIC Interagency Working Group- The Director shall--

`(1) establish an interagency working group to facilitate interagency cooperation to advise the Director on recommendations to enhance the biosurveillance capabilities of the Department; and

`(2) invite officials of Federal agencies that conduct biosurveillance programs, including officials of the departments and agencies with which the Secretary has entered into an agreement under subsection (d), to participate in the working group.

`(h) Annual Report Required- Not later than December 31 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that contains each of the following:

`(1) A list of departments, agencies, and private or nonprofit entities participating in the NBIC and a description of the data that each entity has contributed to the NBIC during the preceding fiscal year.

`(2) The schedule for obtaining access to any relevant biosurveillance information not received by the NBIC as of the date on which the report is submitted.

`(3) A list of Federal, State, and local government entities and private sector entities that have direct or indirect access to the information that is integrated by the NBIC.

`(4) For any year before the NBIC is fully implemented or any year in which any major structural or institutional change is made to the NBIC, an implementation plan for the NBIC that includes cost, schedule, key milestones, and the status of such milestones.

`(i) Relationship to Other Departments and Agencies- The authority of the Secretary under this section shall not affect an authority or responsibility of any other Federal department or agency with respect to biosurveillance activities under any program administered by that department or agency.

`(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year.

`(k) Biological Event- For purposes of this section, the term `biological event' means--

`(1) an act of terrorism involving biological agents or toxins of known or unknown origin; or

`(2) a naturally occurring outbreak of an infectious disease that may be of potential national significance.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the items relating to such title the following:

`Sec. 316. National Biosurveillance Integration Center.'.

(c) Deadline for Implementation- The National Biosurveillance Integration Center required under section 316 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by subsection (a), shall be fully operational by not later than September 30, 2008.

SEC. 605. RISK ANALYSIS PROCESS AND INTEGRATED CBRN RISK ASSESSMENT.

(a) In General- Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 317. RISK ANALYSIS PROCESS AND INTEGRATED CBRN RISK ASSESSMENT.

`(a) Risk Analysis Process- The Secretary shall develop a risk analysis process that utilizes a scientific, quantitative methodology to assess and manage risks posed by chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents.

`(b) Integrated CBRN Risk Assessment- The Secretary shall use the process developed under subsection (a) to conduct a risk assessment that shall support the integration of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents.

`(c) Purpose- The purpose of the risk analysis process developed under subsection (a) and the integrated risk assessment conducted under subsection (b) shall be to identify high risk agents, determine how best to mitigate those risks, and guide resource allocation. Such risk analysis shall--

`(1) facilitate satisfaction of the requirements of section 602;

`(2) guide research, development, acquisition, and deployment of applicable countermeasures, including detection systems;

`(3) identify key knowledge gaps or vulnerabilities in the CBRN defense posture of the Department;

`(4) enable rebalancing and refining of investments within individual classes of threat agents as well as across such classes; and

`(5) support end-to-end assessments of the overall CBRN defense policy of the Department, taking into account the full spectrum of countermeasures available, including prevention, preparedness, planning, response and recovery activities, to better steer investments to strategies with the greatest potential for mitigating identified risks.

`(d) Risk Information-

`(1) CLASSES OF THREAT AGENTS- In developing the risk analysis process under subsection (a) and conducting the risk assessment under subsection (b), the Secretary shall consider risks posed by the following classes of threats:

`(A) Chemical threats, including--

`(i) toxic industrial materials and chemicals;

`(ii) traditional chemical warfare agents; and

`(iii) non-traditional agents, which are defined as novel chemical threat agents or toxicants requiring adapted countermeasures.

`(B) Biological threats, including--

`(i) traditional agents listed by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention as Category A, B, and C pathogens and toxins;

`(ii) enhanced agents, which are defined as traditional agents that have been modified or selected to enhance their ability to harm human populations or circumvent current countermeasures;

`(iii) emerging agents, which are defined as previously unrecognized pathogens that may be naturally occurring and present a serious risk to human populations; and

`(iv) advanced or engineered agents, which are defined as novel pathogens or other materials of biological nature that have been artificially engineered in the laboratory to bypass traditional countermeasures or produce a more severe or otherwise enhanced spectrum of disease.

`(C) Nuclear and radiological threats, including fissile and other radiological material that could be incorporated into an improvised nuclear device or a radiological dispersal device or released into a wide geographic area by damage to a nuclear reactor.

`(D) Threats to the agriculture sector and food and water supplies.

`(E) Other threat agents the Secretary determines appropriate.

`(2) SOURCES- The risk analysis process developed under subsection (a) shall be informed by findings of the intelligence and law enforcement communities and integrated with expert input from the scientific, medical, and public health communities, including from relevant components of the Department and other Federal agencies.

`(3) DATA QUALITY, SPECIFICITY, AND CONFIDENCE- In developing the risk analysis process under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the degree of uncertainty and variability in the available scientific information and other information about the classes of threat agents under paragraph (1). An external review shall be conducted to assess the ability of the risk analysis process developed by the Secretary to address areas of large degrees of uncertainty.

`(4) NEW INFORMATION- The Secretary shall frequently and systematically update the risk assessment conducted under subsection (b), as needed, to incorporate emerging intelligence information or technological changes in order to keep pace with evolving threats and rapid scientific advances.

`(e) Methodology- The risk analysis process developed by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall--

`(1) consider, as variables--

`(A) threat, or the likelihood that a type of attack that might be attempted;

`(B) vulnerability, or the likelihood that an attacker would succeed; and

`(C) consequence, or the likely impact of an attack;

`(2) evaluate the consequence component of risk as it relates to mortality, morbidity, and economic effects;

`(3) allow for changes in assumptions to evaluate a full range of factors, including technological, economic, and social trends, which may alter the future security environment;

`(4) contain a well-designed sensitivity analysis to address high degrees of uncertainty associated with the risk analyses of certain CBRN agents;

`(5) utilize red teaming analysis to identify vulnerabilities an adversary may discover and exploit in technology, training, and operational procedures and to identify open-source information that could be used by those attempting to defeat the countermeasures; and

`(6) incorporate an interactive interface that makes results and limitations transparent and useful to decision makers for identifying appropriate risk management activities.

`(f) Coordination- The Secretary shall ensure that all risk analysis activities with respect to radiological or nuclear materials shall be conducted in coordination with the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.

`(g) Timeframe; Reports to Congress-

`(1) INITIAL REPORT- By not later than June 2008, the Secretary shall complete the first formal, integrated, CBRN risk assessment required under subsection (b) and shall submit to Congress a report summarizing the findings of such assessment and identifying improvements that could be made to enhance the transparency and usability of the risk analysis process developed under subsection (a).

`(2) UPDATES TO REPORT- The Secretary shall submit to Congress updates to the findings and report in paragraph (1), when appropriate, but by not later than two years after the date on which the initial report is submitted. Such updates shall reflect improvements in the risk analysis process developed under subsection (a).'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the items relating to such title the following:

`Sec. 317. Risk analysis process and integrated CBRN risk assessment.'.

TITLE VII--HOMELAND SECURITY CYBERSECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 701. CYBERSECURITY AND COMMUNICATIONS.

(a) In General- Subtitle C of title II of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 141 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 226. OFFICE OF CYBERSECURITY AND COMMUNICATIONS.

`(a) In General- There shall be within the Department of Homeland Security an Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, which shall be headed by the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications.

`(b) Duty of the Assistant Secretary- The Assistant Secretary shall assist the Secretary in carrying out the responsibilities of the Department regarding cybersecurity and communications.

`(c) Responsibilities- The Assistant Secretary shall be responsible for overseeing preparation, situational awareness, response, reconstitution, and mitigation necessary for cybersecurity and to protect communications from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, including large-scale disruptions, and shall conduct the following activities to execute those responsibilities:

`(1) PREPARATION AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS-

`(A) Establish and maintain a capability within the Department for ongoing activities to identify threats to critical information infrastructure to aid in detection of vulnerabilities and warning of potential acts of terrorism and other attacks.

`(B) Conduct risk assessments on critical information infrastructure with respect to acts of terrorism and other large-scale disruptions, identify and prioritize vulnerabilities in critical information infrastructure, and coordinate the mitigation of such vulnerabilities.

`(C) Develop a plan for the continuation of critical information operations in the event of a cyber attack or other large-scale disruption of the information infrastructure of the United States.

`(D) Oversee an emergency communications system in the event of an act of terrorism or other large-scale disruption of the information infrastructure of the United States.

`(2) RESPONSE AND RECONSTITUTION-

`(A) Define what qualifies as a cyber incident of national significance for purposes of the National Response Plan.

`(B) Ensure that the Department's priorities, procedures, and resources are in place to reconstitute critical information infrastructures in the event of an act of terrorism or other large-scale disruption.

`(3) MITIGATION-

`(A) Develop a national cybersecurity awareness, training, and education program that promotes cybersecurity awareness within the Federal Government and throughout the Nation.

`(B) Consult and coordinate with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology on cybersecurity research and development to strengthen critical information infrastructure against acts of terrorism and other large-scale disruptions.

`(d) Definition- In this section the term `critical information infrastructure' means systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, used in processing, transferring, and storing information so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting at the end of the items relating to subtitle C of title II the following:

`Sec. 226. Office of Cybersecurity and Communications.'.

SEC. 702. CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

(a) In General- The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall support research, development, testing, evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology, including fundamental, long-term research to improve the ability of the United States to prevent, protect against, detect, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and cyber attacks, with emphasis on research and development relevant to large-scale, high-impact attacks.

(b) Activities- The research and development supported under subsection (a) shall include work to--

(1) advance the development and accelerate the deployment of more secure versions of fundamental Internet protocols and architectures, including for the domain name system and routing protocols;

(2) improve and create technologies for detecting attacks or intrusions, including monitoring technologies;

(3) improve and create mitigation and recovery methodologies, including techniques for containment of attacks and development of resilient networks and systems that degrade gracefully;

(4) develop and support infrastructure and tools to support cybersecurity research and development efforts, including modeling, testbeds, and data sets for assessment of new cybersecurity technologies;

(5) assist the development and support of technologies to reduce vulnerabilities in process control systems (PCS); and

(6) test, evaluate, and facilitate the transfer of technologies associated with the engineering of less vulnerable software and securing the IT software development lifecycle.

(c) Coordination- In carrying out this section, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall coordinate activities with--

(1) the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Communications; and

(2) other Federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Information Assurance Directorate of the National Security Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Department of Commerce, and other appropriate working groups established by the President to identify unmet needs and cooperatively support activities, as appropriate.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations- Of the amount authorized by section 101, there is authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2008, $50,000,000, for the cybersecurity research and development activities of the Directorate for Science and Technology to prevent, detect, and respond to acts of terrorism and other large-scale disruptions to information infrastructure.

SEC. 703. COLLABORATION.

In carrying out this title, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Cybersecurity and Communications shall collaborate with any Federal entity that, under law, has authority over the activities set forth in this title.

TITLE VIII--SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 801. REPORT TO CONGRESS ON STRATEGIC PLAN.

Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall transmit to Congress the strategic plan described in section 302(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 182(2)). In addition to the requirements described in that section 302(2), the strategic plan transmitted under this section shall include--

(1) a strategy to enhance the Directorate for Science and Technology workforce, including education and training programs, improving morale, minimizing turnover, strengthening workforce recruitment, and securing institutional knowledge;

(2) the Department policy describing the procedures by which the Directorate for Science and Technology hires and administers assignments to individuals assigned to the Department as detailees under an arrangement described in subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code;

(3) the Department policy governing the responsibilities of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, the Under Secretary for Policy, and the Under Secretary for Management, and the operational components of the Department regarding research, development, testing, evaluation, and procurement of homeland security technologies;

(4) a description of the methodology by which research, development, testing, and evaluation is prioritized and funded by the Directorate for Science and Technology;

(5) a description of the performance measurements to be used or a plan to develop performance measurements that can be used to annually evaluate the Directorate for Science and Technology's activities, mission performance, and stewardship of resources;

(6) a plan for domestic and international coordination of all related programs and activities within the Department and throughout Federal agencies, State, local, and tribal governments, the emergency responder community, industry, and academia;

(7) a plan for leveraging the expertise of the National Laboratories, the process for allocating funding to the National Laboratories, and a plan for fulfilling existing National Laboratory infrastructure commitments to maintain current capabilities and meet mission needs; and

(8) a strategy for the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency that includes--

(A) a mission statement;

(B) a description of the Department's high risk and high payoff research, development, test, and evaluation strategy; and

(C) internal policies designed to encourage innovative solutions.

SEC. 802. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations- Of the amount authorized by section 101, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security for carrying out the Centers of Excellence Program $31,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 such that each center that received funding in fiscal year 2007 shall receive, at a minimum, the same amount it received in fiscal year 2007.

(b) Minority Serving Institutions Program- Of the amount authorized by section 101, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security for carrying out the Minority Serving Institutions Program $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.

(c) Centers of Excellence Program Participation-

(1) REQUIREMENT- If, by the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security has not selected a Minority Serving Institution to participate as a Center of Excellence under the Department of Homeland Security Centers of Excellence Program, at least one of the next four Centers of Excellence selected after the date of enactment of this Act shall be an otherwise eligible applicant that is a Minority Serving Institution.

(2) MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTION DEFINED- In this subsection the term `Minority Serving Institution' means--

(A) an historically black college or university that receives assistance under part B of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 106 et seq.);

(B) an Hispanic-serving institution (as that term is defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a); or

(C) a tribally controlled college or university (as that term is defined in section 2 of the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801)).

SEC. 803. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY OF UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS.

(a) Study- Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to assess the University Programs of the Department, with an emphasis on the Centers of Excellence Program and the future plans for these programs, and make recommendations for appropriate improvements.

(b) Subjects- The study shall include--

(1) a review of key areas of study needed to support the homeland security mission, and criteria that should be utilized to determine those key areas for which the Department should maintain or establish Centers of Excellence;

(2) a review of selection criteria and weighting of such criteria for Centers of Excellence;

(3) an examination of the optimal role of Centers of Excellence in supporting the mission of the Directorate of Science and Technology and the most advantageous relationship between the Centers of Excellence and the Directorate and the Department components the Directorate serves;

(4) an examination of the length of time the Centers of Excellence should be awarded funding and the frequency of the review cycle in order to maintain such funding, particularly given their focus on basic, long term research;

(5) identification of the most appropriate review criteria and metrics to measure demonstrable progress, and mechanisms for delivering and disseminating the research results of established Centers of Excellence within the Department, and to other Federal, State, and local agencies;

(6) an examination of the means by which academic institutions that are not designated or associated with Centers of Excellence can optimally contribute to the research mission of the Directorate;

(7) an assessment of the interrelationship between the different University Programs; and

(8) a review of any other essential elements of the University Programs to be determined in the conduct of the study.

(c) Report- The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall transmit a report containing the results of the study and recommendations required by subsection (a) and the Under Secretary's response to the recommendations, to the appropriate Congressional committees not later than 24 months after the date of enactment of this Act.

(d) Authorization of Appropriations- Of the amount authorized in section 101, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000.

SEC. 804. STREAMLINING OF SAFETY ACT AND ANTITERRORISM TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT PROCESSES.

(a) Personnel- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that, in addition to any personnel engaged in technical evaluations that may be appropriate, 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 antiterrorism technologies for the purpose of determining whether such technologies may be designated by the Secretary as qualified antiterrorism technologies under section 862(b) of the SAFETY Act (6 U.S.C. 441(b)) or certified by the Secretary under section 863(d) of such Act (6 U.S.C. 442(d)).

(b) Coordination Within Department of Homeland Security- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall--

(1) establish a formal coordination process that includes the official of the Department of Homeland Security with primary responsibility for the implementation of the SAFETY Act, the Chief Procurement Officer of the Department, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, the Under Secretary for Policy, and the Department of Homeland Security General Counsel to ensure the application of the litigation and risk management provisions of the SAFETY Act to antiterrorism technologies procured by the Department; and

(2) promote awareness and utilization of the litigation and risk management provisions of the SAFETY Act in the procurement of antiterrorism technologies.

(c) Issuance of Departmental Directive- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in accordance with the final rule implementing the SAFETY Act, issue a Departmental management directive providing for coordination between Department procurement officials and any other Department official responsible for implementing the SAFETY Act in advance of any Department procurement of an antiterrorism technology, as required under subsection (b).

SEC. 805. PROMOTING ANTITERRORISM THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ACT.

(a) In General- Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) is further amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 319. PROMOTING ANTITERRORISM THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROGRAM.

`(a) Definitions- In this section:

`(1) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director selected under subsection (b)(2).

`(2) INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE ACTIVITY- The term `international cooperative activity' includes--

`(A) coordinated research projects, joint research projects, or joint ventures;

`(B) joint studies or technical demonstrations;

`(C) coordinated field exercises, scientific seminars, conferences, symposia, and workshops;

`(D) training of scientists and engineers;

`(E) visits and exchanges of scientists, engineers, or other appropriate personnel;

`(F) exchanges or sharing of scientific and technological information; and

`(G) joint use of laboratory facilities and equipment.

`(b) Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office-

`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Under Secretary shall establish the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office.

`(2) DIRECTOR- The Office shall be headed by a Director, who--

`(A) shall be selected by and shall report to the Under Secretary; and

`(B) may be an officer of the Department serving in another position.

`(3) RESPONSIBILITIES-

`(A) DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANISMS- The Director shall be responsible for developing, in consultation with the Department of State, understandings or agreements that allow and support international cooperative activity in support of homeland security research, development, and comparative testing.

`(B) PRIORITIES- The Director shall be responsible for developing, in coordination with the Directorate of Science and Technology, the other components of the Department of Homeland Security, and other Federal agencies, strategic priorities for international cooperative activity in support of homeland security research, development, and comparative testing.

`(C) ACTIVITIES- The Director shall facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of international cooperative activity to address the strategic priorities developed under subparagraph (B) through mechanisms the Under Secretary considers appropriate, including grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts to or with foreign public or private entities, governmental organizations, businesses, federally funded research and development centers, and universities.

`(D) IDENTIFICATION OF PARTNERS- The Director shall facilitate the matching of United States entities engaged in homeland security research with non-United States entities engaged in homeland security research so that they may partner in homeland security research activities.

`(4) COORDINATION- The Director shall ensure that the activities under this subsection are coordinated with those of other relevant research agencies, and may run projects jointly with other agencies.

`(5) CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS- The Director may hold international homeland security technology workshops and conferences to improve contact among the international community of technology developers and to help establish direction for future technology goals.

`(c) International Cooperative Activities-

`(1) AUTHORIZATION- The Under Secretary is authorized to carry out international cooperative activities to support the responsibilities specified under section 302.

`(2) MECHANISMS AND EQUITABILITY- In carrying out this section, the Under Secretary may award grants to and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with United States governmental organizations, businesses (including small businesses and small and disadvantaged businesses), federally funded research and development centers, institutions of higher education, and foreign public or private entities. The Under Secretary shall ensure that funding and resources expended in international cooperative activities will be equitably matched by the foreign partner organization through direct funding or funding of complementary activities, or through provision of staff, facilities, materials, or equipment.

`(3) LOANS OF EQUIPMENT- The Under Secretary may make or accept loans of equipment for research and development and comparative testing purposes.

`(4) COOPERATION- The Under Secretary is authorized to conduct international cooperative activities jointly with other agencies.

`(5) FOREIGN PARTNERS- Partners may include Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and other allies in the global war on terrorism, as appropriate.

`(6) EXOTIC DISEASES- As part of the international cooperative activities authorized in this section, the Under Secretary, in coordination with the Chief Medical Officer, may facilitate the development of information sharing and other types of cooperative mechanisms with foreign countries, including nations in Africa, to strengthen American preparedness against threats to the Nation's agricultural and public health sectors from exotic diseases.

`(d) Budget Allocation- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to be derived from amounts otherwise authorized for the Directorate of Science and Technology, $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for activities under this section.

`(e) Foreign Reimbursements- Whenever the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office participates in an international cooperative activity with a foreign country on a cost-sharing basis, any reimbursements or contributions received from that foreign country to meet its share of the project may, subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, be credited to appropriate current appropriations accounts of the Directorate of Science and Technology.

`(f) Report to Congress on International Cooperative Activities-

`(1) INITIAL REPORT- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Under Secretary, acting through the Director, shall transmit to the Congress a report containing--

`(A) a brief description of each partnership formed under subsection (b)(4), including the participants, goals, and amount and sources of funding; and

`(B) a list of international cooperative activities underway, including the participants, goals, expected duration, and amount and sources of funding, including resources provided to support the activities in lieu of direct funding.

`(2) UPDATES- At the end of the fiscal year that occurs 5 years after the transmittal of the report under subsection (a), and every 5 years thereafter, the Under Secretary, acting through the Director, shall transmit to the Congress an update of the report required under subsection (a).'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents for the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is further amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such title the following new item:

`Sec. 319. Promoting antiterrorism through international cooperation program.'.

SEC. 806. AVAILABILITY OF TESTING FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT.

(a) Authority- The Under Secretary for Science and Technology or his designee may make available to any person or entity, for an appropriate fee, the services of any Department of Homeland Security owned and operated center, or other testing facility for the testing of materials, equipment, models, computer software, and other items designed to advance the homeland security mission.

(b) Interference With Federal Programs- The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall ensure that the testing of materiel and other items not owned by the Government shall not cause government personnel or other government resources to be diverted from scheduled tests of Government materiel or otherwise interfere with Government mission requirements.

(c) Confidentiality of Test Results- The results of tests performed with services made available under subsection (a) and any associated data provided by the person or entity for the conduct of such tests are trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential within the meaning of section 552b(4) of title 5, United States Code, and may not be disclosed outside the Federal Government without the consent of the person or entity for whom the tests are performed.

(d) Fees- The fees for exercising the authorities under subsection (a) may not exceed the amount necessary to recoup the direct and indirect costs involved, such as direct costs of utilities, contractor support, and salaries of personnel that are incurred by the United States to provide for the testing.

(e) Use of Fees- The fees for exercising the authorities under subsection (a) shall be credited to the appropriations or other funds of the Directorate of Science and Technology.

(f) Operational Plan- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall submit to Congress a report detailing a plan for operating a program that would allow any person or entity, for an appropriate feel, to use any center or testing facility owned and operated by the Department of Homeland Security for testing of materials, equipment, models, computer software, and other items designed to advance the homeland security mission. The plan shall include--

(1) a list of the facilities and equipment that could be made available to such persons or entities;

(2) a five-year budget plan, including the costs for facility construction, staff training, contract and legal fees, equipment maintenance and operation, and any incidental costs associated with the program;

(3) A five-year estimate of the number of users and fees to be collected;

(4) a list of criteria for selecting private-sector users from a pool of applicants, including any special requirements for foreign applicants; and

(5) an assessment of the effect the program would have on the ability of a center or testing facility to meet its obligations under other Federal programs.

(g) Report to Congress- The Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall submit to Congress an annual report containing a list of the centers and testing facilities that have collected fees under this section, the amount of fees collected, a brief description of each partnership formed under this section, and the purpose for which the testing was conducted.

(h) GAO- Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress an assessment of the implementation of this section.

TITLE IX--BORDER SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 901. US-VISIT.

(a) In General- Not later than 7 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the comprehensive strategy required by section 7208 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 for the biometric entry and exit data system (commonly referred to as the United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program or US-VISIT) established under the section and other laws described in subsection (b) of such section. The comprehensive strategy shall include an action plan for full implementation of the biometric exit component of US-VISIT, as required under subsection (d) of section 7208 of such Act.

(b) Contents- The comprehensive strategy and action plan referred to in subsection (a) shall, at a minimum, include the following:

(1) An explanation of how US-VISIT will allow law enforcement officials to identify individuals who overstay their visas.

(2) A description of biometric pilot projects, including the schedule for testing, locations, cost estimates, resources needed, and performance measures.

(3) An implementation schedule for deploying future biometric exit capabilities at all air, land, and sea ports of entry.

(4) The actions the Secretary plans to take to accelerate the full implementation of the biometric exit component of US-VISIT at all air, land, and sea ports of entry.

(c) Airport and Seaport Exit Implementation- Not later than December 31, 2008, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall complete the exit portion of the biometric entry and exit data system referred to in subsection (a) for aliens arriving in or departing from the United States at an airport or seaport.

(d) Prohibition on Transfer- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall not transfer to the National Protection and Programs Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security the office of the Department that carries out the biometric entry and exit data system referred to in subsection (a) until the Secretary submits to the committees specified in such subsection the action plan referred to in such subsection for full implementation of the biometric exit component of US-VISIT at all ports of entry.

SEC. 902. SHADOW WOLVES PROGRAM.

Of the amount authorized by section 101, there is authorized to be appropriated $4,100,000 for fiscal year 2008 for the Shadow Wolves program.

SEC. 903. COST-EFFECTIVE TRAINING FOR BORDER PATROL AGENTS.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such steps as may be necessary to control the costs of hiring, training, and deploying new Border Patrol agents, including--

(1) permitting individuals who are in training to become Border Patrol agents to waive certain course requirements of such training if such individuals have earlier satisfied such requirements in a similar or comparable manner as determined by the Secretary; and

(2) directing the Office of Inspector General to conduct a review of the costs and feasibility of training new Border Patrol agents at Federal training centers, including the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center facility in Charleston, South Carolina, and the HAMMER facility in Hanford, Washington, and at training facilities operated by State and local law enforcement academies, non-profit entities, and private entities, including institutions in the southwest border region, as well as the use of all of the above to conduct portions of such training.

(b) Limitation on Per-Agent Cost of Training-

(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the fiscal year 2008 per-agent cost of hiring, training, and deploying each new Border Patrol agent does not exceed $150,000.

(2) EXCEPTION AND CERTIFICATION- If the Secretary determines that the per-agent cost referred to in paragraph (1) exceeds $150,000, the Secretary shall promptly submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a certification explaining why such per-agent cost exceeds such amount.

SEC. 904. REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM.

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report to update the Government Accountability Office report of June 18, 2004, GAO-04-690, on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (referred to in this section as `SEVP') and specifically the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (referred to in this section as `SEVIS'). The report shall include the following information:

(1) The rate of compliance with the current SEVIS requirements by program sponsors and educational institutions, including non-academic institutions authorized to admit students under SEVIS.

(2) Whether there are differences in compliance rates among different types and sizes of institutions participating in SEVIS.

(3) Whether SEVIS adequately ensures that each covered foreign student or exchange visitor in nonimmigrant status is, in fact, actively participating in the program for which admission to the United States was granted.

(4) Whether SEVIS includes data fields to ensure that each covered foreign student or exchange visitor in nonimmigrant status is meeting minimum academic or program standards and that major courses of study are recorded, especially those that may be of national security concern.

(5) Whether the Secretary of Homeland Security provides adequate access, training, and technical support to authorized users from the sponsoring programs and educational institutions in which covered foreign students and exchange visitors in a nonimmigrant status are enrolled.

(6) Whether each sponsoring program or educational institution participating in SEVP has designated enough authorized users to comply with SEVIS requirements.

(7) Whether authorized users at program sponsors or educational institutions are adequately vetted and trained.

(8) Whether the fees collected are adequate to support SEVIS.

(9) Whether there any new authorities, capabilities, or resources needed for SEVP and SEVIS to fully perform.

SEC. 905. ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES NECESSARY TO REDUCE CROSSING TIMES AT LAND PORTS OF ENTRY.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, conduct an assessment, and submit a report to the Congress, on the personnel, infrastructure, and technology required to reduce border crossing wait times for pedestrian, commercial, and non-commercial vehicular traffic at land ports of entry into the United States to wait times less than prior to September 11, 2001, while ensuring appropriate security checks continue to be conducted.

SEC. 906. REPORT BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE REGARDING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE BORDER PATROL.

(a) In General- Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report regarding the policies and procedures of the Border Patrol pertaining to the use of lethal and non-lethal force and the pursuit of fleeing vehicles, including data on the number of incidents in which lethal or non-lethal force was used and any penalties that were imposed on Border Patrol agents as a result of such use.

(b) Consultation-

(1) REQUIREMENT- In complying with this section, the Comptroller General shall consult with Customs and Border Protection and with representatives of the following:

(A) State and local law enforcement agencies located along the northern and southern international borders of the United States.

(B) The National Border Patrol Council.

(C) The National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers.

(D) Human rights groups with experience regarding aliens who cross the international land borders of the United States.

(E) Any other group that the Comptroller General determines would be appropriate.

(2) INCLUSION OF OPINIONS- The Comptroller General shall attach written opinions provided by groups referenced to in paragraph (1) as appendices to the report.

SEC. 907. REPORT ON INTEGRATED BORDER ENFORCEMENT TEAM INITIATIVE.

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to the Congress on the status of the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) initiative. The report should include an analysis of current resources allocated to IBETs, an evaluation of progress made since the inception of the program, and recommendations as to the level of resources that would be required to improve the program's effectiveness in the future.

SEC. 908. STOLEN AND LOST TRAVEL DOCUMENT DATABASE.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of United States Customs and Border Protection, shall, as expeditiously as possible, implement at primary inspection points at United States ports of entry the Stolen and Lost Travel Document database managed by Interpol.

(b) Report- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101)) a report on the implementation required under subsection (a).

TITLE X--INFORMATION SHARING IMPROVEMENTS

SEC. 1001. STATE AND LOCAL FUSION CENTER PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Subtitle I of title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 481 et seq.) is amended by striking sections 895 through 899 and inserting the following:

`SEC. 895. STATE AND LOCAL FUSION CENTER PROGRAM.

`(a) Establishment- The Secretary shall establish within the Department a State and Local Fusion Center Program. The program shall be overseen by the component charged with overseeing information sharing of homeland security information with State, local and tribal law enforcement. The purpose of the State and Local Fusion Center Program is to facilitate information sharing between the Department and State, local, and tribal law enforcement for homeland security and other purposes.

`(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary for the Secretary to carry out the purpose of the State and Local Fusion Center Program, including for--

`(1) deploying Department personnel with intelligence and operational skills to State and local fusion centers participating in the Program;

`(2) hiring and maintaining individuals with substantial law enforcement experience who have retired from public service and deploying such individuals to State and local fusion centers participating in the Program (with the consent of such centers); and

`(3) maintaining an adequate number of staff at the headquarters of the Department to sustain and manage the portion of the Program carried out at the headquarters and to otherwise fill positions vacated by Department staff deployed to State and local fusion centers participating in the Program.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by striking the items relating to sections 895 through 899 and inserting the following:

`Sec. 895. State and Local Fusion Center Program.'.

(c) Prior Amendments Not Affected- This section shall not be construed to affect the application of sections 895 through 899 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (including provisions enacted by the amendments made by those sections), as in effect before the effective date of this section.

SEC. 1002. FUSION CENTER PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES TRAINING PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Subtitle A of title II of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 203. FUSION CENTER PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES TRAINING PROGRAM.

`(a) Establishment- The Secretary, through the Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis, the Privacy Officer, and the Officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, shall establish a program within the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to provide privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights protection training for appropriate Department employees and State, local, tribal employees serving in State and local fusion centers participating in the State and Local Fusion Center Program.

`(b) Mandatory Training-

`(1) DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES- The Secretary shall require each employee of the Department who is embedded at a State or local fusion center and has access to United States citizens and legal permanent residents personally identifiable information to successfully complete training under the program established under subsection (a).

`(2) FUSION CENTER REPRESENTATIVES- As a condition of receiving a grant from the Department, a fusion center shall require each State, local, tribal, or private sector representative of the fusion center to successfully complete training under the program established under subsection (a) not later than six months after the date on which the State or local fusion center at which the employee is embedded receives a grant from the Department.

`(c) Contents of Training- Training provided under the program established under subsection (a) shall include training in Federal law in each of the following:

`(1) Privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights policies, procedures, and protocols that can provide or control access to information at a State or local fusion center.

`(2) Privacy awareness training based on section 552a of title 5, United States Code, popularly known as the Privacy Act of 1974.

`(3) The handling of personally identifiable information in a responsible and appropriate manner.

`(4) Appropriate procedures for the destruction of information that is no longer needed.

`(5) The consequences of failing to provide adequate privacy and civil liberties protections.

`(6) Compliance with Federal regulations setting standards for multijurisdictional criminal intelligence systems, including 28 CFR 23 (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this section).

`(7) The use of immutable auditing mechanisms designed to track access to information at a State or local fusion center.

`(d) Certification of Training- The Secretary, acting through the head of the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, shall issue a certificate to each person who completes the training under this section and performs successfully in a written examination administered by the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. A copy of each such certificate issued to an individual working at a participating fusion center shall be kept on file at that fusion center.

`(e) Authorization of Appropriations- Of the amounts authorized by section 101, there are authorized to be appropriate to carry out this section--

`(1) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013; and

`(2) such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subtitle the following:

`Sec. 203. Fusion center privacy and civil liberties training program.'.

SEC. 1003. AUTHORITY TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN A CADRE OF FEDERAL ANNUITANTS FOR THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION ANALYSIS.

(a) Definitions- For purposes of this section--

(1) the term `IA' means the Office of Information Analysis;

(2) the term `annuitant' means an annuitant under a Government retirement system;

(3) the term `Government retirement system' has the meaning given such term by section 501(a); and

(4) the term `employee' has the meaning given such term by section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.

(b) Appointment Authority- The Secretary (acting through the Assistant Secretary for Information Analysis) may, for the purpose of accelerating the ability of the IA to perform its statutory duties under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, appoint annuitants to positions in the IA in accordance with succeeding provisions of this section, except that no authority under this subsection shall be available unless the Secretary provides to Congress a certification that--

(1) the Secretary has submitted a request under section 8344(i) or 8468(f) of title 5, United States Code, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, with respect to positions in the IA;

(2) the request described in paragraph (1) was properly filed; and

(3) the Office of Personnel Management has not responded to the request described in paragraph (1), by either approving, denying, or seeking more information regarding such request, within 90 days after the date on which such request was filed.

(c) Noncompetitive Procedures; Exemption From Offset- An appointment made under subsection (b) shall not be subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and any annuitant serving pursuant to such an appointment shall be exempt from sections 8344 and 8468 of such title 5 (relating to annuities and pay on reemployment) and any other similar provision of law under a Government retirement system.

(d) Limitations- No appointment under subsection (b) may be made if such appointment would result in the displacement of any employee or would cause the total number of positions filled by annuitants appointed under such subsection to exceed 100 as of any time (determined on a full-time equivalent basis).

(e) Rule of Construction- An annuitant as to whom an exemption under subsection (c) is in effect shall not be considered an employee for purposes of any Government retirement system.

(f) Termination of Authority- Effective 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act--

(1) all authority to make appointments under subsection (b) shall cease to be available; and

(2) all exemptions under subsection (c) shall cease to be effective.

TITLE XI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 1101. RURAL HOMELAND SECURITY TRAINING INITIATIVE.

(a) Establishment- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a program to be administered by the Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center of the Department of Homeland Security to expand homeland security training to units of local and tribal governments located in rural areas. The Secretary shall take the following actions:

(1) EVALUATION OF NEEDS OF RURAL AREAS- The Secretary shall evaluate the needs of such areas.

(2) DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING PROGRAMS- The Secretary shall develop expert training programs designed to respond to the needs of such areas, including, but not limited to, those pertaining to rural homeland security responses including protections for privacy, and civil rights and civil liberties.

(3) PROVISION OF TRAINING PROGRAMS- The Secretary shall provide to such areas the training programs developed under paragraph (2).

(4) OUTREACH EFFORTS- The Secretary shall conduct outreach efforts to ensure that such areas are aware of the training programs developed under paragraph (2) so that such programs are made available to units of local government and tribal governments located in rural areas.

(b) No Duplication or Displacement of Current Programs- Any training program developed under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) and any training provided by the program pursuant to such subsection shall be developed or provided, respectively, in a manner so as to not duplicate or displace any program in existence on the date of the enactment of this section.

(c) Prioritized Locations for Rural Homeland Security Training- In designating sites for the provision of training under this section, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent possible and as appropriate, give priority to facilities of the Department of Homeland Security in existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act and to closed military installations, and to the extent possible, shall conduct training onsite, at facilities operated by participants.

(d) Rural Defined- In this section, the term `rural' means an area that is not located in a metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the Office of Management and Budget.

SEC. 1102. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE STUDY.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 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 stakeholders to share protected critical infrastructure information with the Department for homeland security and other purposes.

SEC. 1103. TERRORIST WATCH LIST AT HIGH-RISK CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

From amounts authorized under section 101, there may be appropriated such sums as are necessary for the Secretary of Homeland Security to require each owner or operator of a Tier I or Tier II critical infrastructure site as selected for the Buffer Zone Protection Program, to conduct checks of their employees against available terrorist watch lists.

SEC. 1104. AUTHORIZED USE OF SURPLUS MILITARY VEHICLES.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall include United States military surplus vehicles having demonstrated utility for responding to terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies on the Authorized Equipment List in order to allow State, local, and tribal agencies to purchase, modify, upgrade, and maintain such vehicles using homeland security assistance administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

SEC. 1105. COMPUTER CAPABILITIES TO SUPPORT REAL-TIME INCIDENT MANAGEMENT.

From amounts authorized under section 101, there are authorized such sums as may be necessary for the Secretary of Homeland Security to encourage the development and use of software- or Internet-based computer capabilities to support real-time incident management by Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies. Such software-based capabilities shall be scalable and not be based on proprietary systems to ensure the compatibility of Federal, State, local, and tribal first responder agency incident management systems. In the development and implementation of such computer capabilities, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and desirability of including the following capabilities:

(1) Geographic information system data.

(2) Personnel, vehicle, and equipment tracking and monitoring.

(3) Commodity tracking and other logistics management.

(4) Evacuation center and shelter status tracking.

(5) Such other capabilities as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

SEC. 1106. EXPENDITURE REPORTS AS A CONDITION OF HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS.

(a) In General- Subtitle H of title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

`SEC. 890A. EXPENDITURE REPORTS AS A CONDITION OF HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS.

`(a) Quarterly Reports Required as a Condition of Homeland Security Grants-

`(1) EXPENDITURE REPORTS REQUIRED- As a condition of receiving a grant administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall require the grant recipient to submit quarterly reports to the Secretary describing the nature and amount of each expenditure made by the recipient using grant funds.

`(2) DEADLINE FOR REPORTS- Each report required under paragraph (1) shall be submitted not later than 30 days after the last day of a fiscal quarter and shall cover expenditures made during that fiscal quarter.

`(3) EXCLUDED PROGRAMS- This section shall not apply to or otherwise affect any grant issued under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) or the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.).

`(b) Publication of Expenditures- Not later than 30 days after receiving a report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall publish and make publicly available on the Internet website of the Department a description of the nature and amount of each expenditure covered by the report.

`(c) Protection of Sensitive Information- In meeting the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall take appropriate action to ensure that sensitive information is not disclosed.'.

(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by adding at the end of the items relating to such subtitle the following:

`Sec. 890A. Expenditure reports as a condition of homeland security grants.'.

SEC. 1107. ENCOURAGING USE OF COMPUTERIZED TRAINING AIDS.

The Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security shall use and make available to State and local agencies computer simulations to help strengthen the ability of municipalities to prepare for and respond to a chemical, biological, or other terrorist attack, and to standardize response training.

SEC. 1108. METROPOLITAN MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM PROGRAM.

(a) In General- Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 522. METROPOLITAN MEDICAL RESPONSE SYSTEM PROGRAM.

`(a) In General- There is a Metropolitan Medical Response System Program (in this section referred to as the `program').

`(b) Purpose- The purpose of the program shall be to support local jurisdictions in enhancing and maintaining all-hazards response capabilities to manage mass casualty incidents (including terrorist acts using chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear agents, or explosives, large-scale hazardous materials incidents, epidemic disease outbreaks, and natural disasters) by systematically enhancing and integrating first responders, public health personnel, emergency management personnel, business representatives, and volunteers.

`(c) Program Administration- The Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs shall develop the programmatic and policy guidance for the program in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

`(d) Personnel Costs- The program shall not be subject to an administrative cap on the hiring of personnel to conduct program activities.

`(e) Financial Assistance-

`(1) ADMINISTRATION- The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall administer financial assistance provided to State and local jurisdictions under the program.

`(2) ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL JURISDICTIONS- In providing financial assistance to a State under the program, the Administrator shall ensure that 100 percent of the amount of such assistance is allocated by the State to local jurisdictions, except that a State may retain up to 20 percent of the amount of such assistance to facilitate integration between the State and the local jurisdiction pursuant to a written agreement between the State and the chair of the Metropolitan Medical Response System steering committee.

`(3) MUTUAL AID-

`(A) AGREEMENTS- Local jurisdictions receiving assistance under the program are encouraged to develop and maintain memoranda of understanding and agreement with neighboring jurisdictions to support a system of mutual aid among the jurisdictions.

`(B) CONTENTS- A memorandum referred to in subparagraph (A) shall include, at a minimum, policies and procedures to--

`(i) enable the timely deployment of program personnel and equipment across jurisdictions and, if relevant, across State boundaries;

`(ii) share information in a consistent and timely manner; and

`(iii) notify State authorities of the deployment of program resources in a manner that ensures coordination with State agencies without impeding the ability of program personnel and equipment to respond rapidly to emergencies in other jurisdictions.

`(f) Authorization of Appropriations- Of the amounts authorized by section 101 there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program $63,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011.'.

(b) Program Review-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs shall conduct a review of the Metropolitan Medical Response System Program.

(2) CONTENT OF REVIEW- In conducting the review of the program, the Assistant Secretary shall examine--

(A) strategic goals;

(B) objectives;

(C) operational capabilities;

(D) resource requirements;

(E) performance metrics;

(F) administration;

(G) whether the program would be more effective if it were managed as a contractual agreement;

(H) the degree to which the program's strategic goals, objectives, and capabilities are incorporated in State and local homeland security plans; and

(I) challenges in the coordination among public health, public safety, and other stakeholder groups to prepare for and respond to mass casualty incidents.

(3) REPORT- Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the results of the review.

(c) Conforming Amendments-

(1) REPEAL- Section 635 of the Post-Katrina Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 723) is repealed.

(2) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents contained in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 521 the following:

`Sec. 522. Metropolitan Medical Response System Program.'.

SEC. 1109. IDENTITY FRAUD PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) Findings- Congress finds the following:

(1) The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States found that the 19 hijackers had been issued 16 State driver's licenses (from Arizona, California, Florida, and Virginia) and 14 State identification cards (from Florida, Maryland and Virginia).

(2) The Commission concluded that `[s]ecure identification should begin in the United States. The Federal Government should set standards for the issuance of birth certificates and sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. Fraud in identification is no longer just a problem of theft. At many entry points to vulnerable facilities, including gates for boarding aircraft, sources of identification are the last opportunity to ensure that people are who they say they are and to check whether they are terrorists.'.

(b) Grant Program- Subtitle D of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 447. DOCUMENT FRAUD PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM.

`(a) In General- The Secretary shall establish a program to make grants available to States to be used to prevent terrorists and other individuals from fraudulently obtaining and using State-issued identification cards and to develop more secure State-issued documents to be used for official Federal purposes.

`(b) Use of Funds- A recipient of a grant under this section may use the grant for any of the following purposes:

`(1) To develop machine readable technology, encryption methods, or other means of protecting against unauthorized access of information appearing on licenses or identification.

`(2) To establish a system for a State-to-State data exchange that allows electronic access to States to information contained in a State department of motor vehicles database.

`(3) To develop or implement a security plan designed to safeguard the privacy of personal information collected, maintained, and used by State motor vehicles offices from unauthorized access, misuse, fraud, and identity theft.

`(4) To develop a querying service that allows access to Federal databases in a timely, secure, and cost-effective manner, in order to verify the issuance, validity, content, and completeness of source documents provided by applicants for identity documents issued by State agencies, including departments of motor vehicles.

`(5) To develop a system for States to capture and store digital images of identity source documents and photographs of applicants in electronic format.

`(6) To design systems or establish procedures that would reduce the number of in-person visits required to State departments of motor vehicles to obtain State-issued identity documents used for Federal official purposes.

`(c) Priority in Awarding Grants- In awarding grants under this section the Secretary shall give priority to a State that demonstrates that--

`(1) the grant will assist the State in complying with any regulation issued by the Department to prevent the fraudulent issuance of identification documents to be used for official Federal purposes; and

`(2) such compliance will facilitate the ability of other States to comply with such regulations.

`(d) Limitation on Source of Funding- The Secretary may not use amounts made available under this section for any other grant program of the Department to provide funding for expenses related to the REAL ID Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-13).

`(e) Authorization of Appropriations- Of the amounts authorized by section 101 there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for making grants under this section--

`(1) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2008;

`(2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; and

`(3) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.'.

(c) Clerical Amendment- The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the items relating to such subtitle the following:

`Sec. 447. Document fraud prevention grant program.'.

SEC. 1110. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296; 6 U.S.C. 361 et seq.) is amended--

(1) in section 1(b) in the table of contents by striking the items relating to the second title XVIII, as added by section 501(b)(3) of Public Law 109-347, and inserting the following:

`TITLE XIX--DOMESTIC NUCLEAR DETECTION OFFICE

`Sec. 1901. Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.

`Sec. 1902. Mission of Office.

`Sec. 1903. Hiring authority.

`Sec. 1904. Testing authority.

`Sec. 1905. Relationship to other Department entities and Federal agencies.

`Sec. 1906. Contracting and grant making authorities.'.

(2) by redesignating the second title XVIII, as added by section 501(a) of Public Law 109-347, as title XIX;

(3) in title XIX (as so redesignated)--

(A) by redesignating sections 1801 through 1806 as sections 1901 through 1906, respectively;

(B) in section 1904(a) (6 U.S.C. 594(a)), as so redesignated, by striking `section 1802' and inserting `section 1902'; and

(C) in section 1906 (6 U.S.C. 596), as so redesignated, by striking `section 1802(a)' each place it appears and inserting `section 1902(a)'.

SEC. 1111. CITIZEN CORPS.

Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under section 101, such sums as may be necessary shall be available to the Secretary of Homeland Security to encourage the use of Citizen Corps funding and local Citizen Corps Councils to provide education and training for populations located around critical infrastructure on preparing for and responding to terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.

SEC. 1112. REPORT REGARDING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPTROLLER GENERAL AND INSPECTOR GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURE.

(a) Report Required- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prepare a report describing how the Department of Homeland Security will implement the applicable recommendations of the following reports:

(1) Comptroller General report entitled `Homeland Security: How Much is Being Done to Protect Agriculture from a Terrorist Attack, but Important Challenges Remain' (GAO-05-214).

(2) Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report entitled `The Department of Homeland Security's Role in Food Defense and Critical Infrastructure Protection' (OIG-07-33).

(b) Submission of Report- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit the report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate. If the Secretary determines that a specific recommendation will not be implemented or will not be fully implemented, the Secretary shall include in the report a description of the reasoning or justification for the determination.

SEC. 1113. REPORT REGARDING LEVEE SYSTEM.

(a) In General- Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report analyzing the threat, vulnerability, and consequence of a terrorist attack on the levee system of the United States.

(b) Existing Reports- In implementing this section, the Secretary may build upon existing reports as necessary.

SEC. 1114. REPORT ON FORCE MULTIPLIER PROGRAM.

Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the progress of the Secretary--

(1) in establishing procedures to ensure compliance with section 44917(a)(7) of title 49, United States Code; and

(2) in accomplishing the operational aspects of the Force Multiplier Program, as required pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2007 (Public Law 109-295).

SEC. 1115. ELIGIBILITY OF STATE JUDICIAL FACILITIES FOR STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS.

(a) In General- States may utilize covered grants for the purpose of providing funds to State and local judicial facilities for security at those facilities.

(b) Covered Grants- For the purposes of this section, the term `covered grant' means a grant under any of the following programs of the Department of Homeland Security:

(1) The State Homeland Security Grant Program.

(2) The Urban Area Security Initiative.

SEC. 1116. DATA SHARING.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide information relating to assistance requested or provided in response to a terrorist attack, major disaster, or other emergency, to Federal, State, or local law enforcement entities to assist in the location of a missing child or registered sex offender. In providing such information, the Secretary shall take reasonable steps to protect the privacy of individuals.

SEC. 1117. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON DISABILITY TO CARRY OUT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE.

The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with the Disability Coordinator of the Department of Homeland Security and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties of the Department, shall use amounts authorized under section 101 to enter into a cooperative agreement with the National Organization on Disability to carry out the Emergency Preparedness Initiative of such organization.

SEC. 1118. CONSIDERATION OF TOURISM IN AWARDING URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE GRANTS.

In awarding grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall take into consideration the number of tourists that have visited an urban area in the two years preceding the year during which the Secretary awards the grant.

SEC. 1119. STUDY OF FOREIGN RAIL SECURITY PRACTICES.

The Secretary shall--

(1) study select foreign rail security practices, and the cost and feasibility of implementing selected best practices that are not currently used in the United States, including--

(A) implementing covert testing processes to evaluate the effectiveness of rail system security personnel;

(B) implementing practices used by foreign rail operators that integrate security into infrastructure design;

(C) implementing random searches or screening of passengers and their baggage; and

(D) establishing and maintaining an information clearinghouse on existing and emergency security technologies and security best practices used in the passenger rail industry both in the United States and abroad; and

(2) report the results of the study, together with any recommendations that the Secretary may have for implementing covert testing, practices for integrating security in infrastructure design, random searches or screenings, and an information clearinghouse to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

SEC. 1120. FEMA RECOVERY OFFICE IN FLORIDA.

(a) Establishment- To provide eligible Federal assistance to individuals and State, local, and tribal governments affected by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, Wilma, Tropical Storm Bonnie, and other future declared emergencies and major disasters, in a customer-focused, expeditious, effective, and consistent manner, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Administration shall maintain a recovery office in the State of Florida for a period of not less than three years after the date of enactment of this Act.

(b) Structure- The recovery office shall have an executive director, appointed by the Administrator, who possesses a demonstrated ability and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security, and a senior management team.

(c) Responsibilities- The executive director, in coordination with State, local, and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, including disaster relief organizations, shall--

(1) work cooperatively with local governments to mitigate the impact of a declared emergency or major disaster; and

(2) provide assistance in a timely and effective manner to residents of Florida and other States as determined appropriate by the Administrator for recovery from previous and future declared emergencies and major disasters.

(d) Staffing- Staffing levels of the recovery office shall be commensurate with the current and projected workload as determined by the Administrator.

(e) Performance Measures- To ensure that the recovery office is meeting its objectives, the Administrator shall identify performance measures that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timed, including--

(1) public assistance program project worksheet completion rates; and

(2) the length of time taken to reimburse recipients for public assistance.

(f) Evaluation- The Administrator shall evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the recovery office in the State of Florida in meeting the requirements of this section. Not later than three years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on whether continuing to operate such office is necessary.

SEC. 1121. REQUIREMENT TO CONSULT STATES REGARDING GRANT AWARDS.

Before the release by the Department of Homeland Security of any information regarding the award of any grant to a State with amounts authorized under section 101, including before submitting to Congress any list of such grant awards, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall consult with States.

SEC. 1122. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REPORT ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) Requirement- The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to--

(1) determine the extent to which architecture, engineering, surveying, and mapping activities related to the critical infrastructure of the United States are being sent to offshore locations;

(2) assess whether any vulnerabilities or threats exist with respect to terrorism; and

(3) recommend policies, regulations, or legislation, as appropriate, that may be necessary to protect the national and homeland security interests of the United States.

(b) Consultation- In carrying out the study authorized by this section, the Comptroller General shall consult with--

(1) such other agencies of the Government of the United States as are appropriate; and

(2) national organizations representing the architecture, engineering, surveying, and mapping professions.

(c) Report- The Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, and to the Senate, by not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act a report on the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the study under this section.

(d) Definitions- As used in this section--

(1) each of the terms `architectural', `engineering', `surveying', and `mapping'--

(A) subject to subparagraph (B), has the same meaning such term has under section 1102 of title 40, United States Code; and

(B) includes services performed by professionals such as surveyors, photogrammetrists, hydrographers, geodesists, or cartographers in the collection, storage, retrieval, or dissemination of graphical or digital data to depict natural or man-made physical features, phenomena, or boundaries of the earth and any information related to such data, including any such data that comprises the processing of a survey, map, chart, geographic information system, remotely sensed image or data, or aerial photograph; and

(2) the term `critical infrastructure'--

(A) means systems and assets, whether physical or virtual, so vital to the United States that the incapacity or destruction of such systems and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of those matters; and

(B) includes the basic facilities, structures, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, including transportation and communications systems, water and power lines, power plants, and the built environment of private and public institutions of the United States.

SEC. 1123. IMPROVING THE NEXUS AND FAST REGISTERED TRAVELER PROGRAMS.

(a) Merging Requirements of Nexus and Fast-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall merge the procedures for the programs described in subsection (j) into a single procedure, with common eligibility and security screening requirements, enrollment processes, and sanctions regimes.

(2) SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS- In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that the procedures for the programs known as `NEXUS Highway', `NEXUS Marine', and `NEXUS Air' are integrated into such a single procedure.

(b) Integrating Nexus and Fast Information Systems- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall integrate all databases and information systems for the programs described in subsection (j) in a manner that will permit any identification card issued to a participant to operate in all locations where a program described in such subsection is operating.

(c) Creation of Nexus Convertible Lanes- In order to expand the NEXUS program described in subsection (j)(2) to major northern border crossings, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with appropriate representatives of the Government of Canada, shall equip not fewer than six new northern border crossings with NEXUS technology.

(d) Creation of Remote Enrollment Centers- The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with appropriate representatives of the Government of Canada, shall create a minimum of two remote enrollment centers for the programs described in subsection (j). Such a remote enrollment center shall be established at each of the border crossings described in subsection (c).

(e) Creation of Mobile Enrollment Centers- The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with appropriate representatives of the Government of Canada, shall create a minimum of two mobile enrollment centers for the programs described in subsection (j). Such mobile enrollment centers shall be used to accept and process applications in areas currently underserved by such programs. The Secretary shall work with State and local authorities in determining the locations of such mobile enrollment centers.

(f) On-Line Application Process- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall design an on-line application process for the programs described in subsection (j). Such process shall permit individuals to securely submit their applications on-line and schedule a security interview at the nearest enrollment center.

(g) Promoting Enrollment-

(1) CREATING INCENTIVES FOR ENROLLMENT- In order to encourage applications for the programs described in subsection (j), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop a plan to admit participants in an amount that is as inexpensive as possible per card issued for each of such programs.

(2) CUSTOMER SERVICE PHONE NUMBER- In order to provide potential applicants with timely information for the programs described in subsection (j), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall create a customer service telephone number for such programs.

(3) PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN- The Secretary shall carry out a program to educate the public regarding the benefits of the programs described in subsection (j).

(h) Travel Document for Travel Into United States- For purposes of the plan required under section 7209(b) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, an identification card issued to a participant in a program described in subsection (j) shall be considered a document sufficient on its own when produced to denote identity and citizenship for travel into the United States by United States citizens and by categories of individuals for whom documentation requirements have previously been waived under section 212(d)(4)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(4)(B)).

(i) Report- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101)) a report on the implementation of subsections (a) through (g).

(j) Programs- The programs described in this subsection are the following:

(1) The FAST program authorized under subpart B of title IV of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.).

(2) The NEXUS program authorized under section 286(q) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (U.S.C. 1356(q)).

SEC. 1124. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.

(a) Travel to Canada and Mexico- Section 7209(b) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

`(3) PASS CARD INFRASTRUCTURE- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct not less than one trial on the usability, reliability, and effectiveness of the technology that the Secretary determines appropriate to implement the documentary requirements of this subsection. The Secretary may not issue a final rule implementing the requirements of this subsection until such time as the Secretary has submitted to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101)) a report on the results and outcome of such trial or trials. The report shall include data and evidence that demonstrates that the technology utilized in such trial or trials is operationally superior to other alternative technology infrastructures.

`(4) FLEXIBLE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD- In order to provide flexibility upon implementation of the plan developed under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a special procedure to permit an individual who does not possess a passport or other document, or combination of documents, as required under paragraph (1), but who the Secretary determines to be a citizen of the United States, to re-enter the United States at an international land or maritime border of the United States. The special procedure referred to in this paragraph shall terminate on the date that is 180 days after the date of the implementation of the plan described in paragraph (1)(A).

`(5) SPECIAL RULE FOR CERTAIN MINORS- Except as provided in paragraph (6), citizens of the United States or Canada who are less than 16 years of age shall not be required to present to an immigration officer a passport or other document, or combination of documents, as required under paragraph (1), when returning or traveling to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Carribean at any port of entry along the international land or maritime border of the United States.

`(6) SPECIAL RULE FOR CERTAIN STUDENT MINORS TRAVELING AS PART OF AN AUTHORIZED AND SUPERVISED SCHOOL TRIP- Notwithstanding the special rule described in paragraph (5), the Secretary of Homeland Security is authorized to consider expanding the special rule for certain minors described in such paragraph to a citizen of the United States or Canada who is less than 19 years of age but is 16 years of age or older and who is traveling between the United States and Canada at any port of entry along the international or maritime border between the two countries if such citizen is so traveling as a student as part of an authorized and supervised school trip.

`(7) PUBLIC OUTREACH- To promote travel and trade across the United States border, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall develop a public communications plan to promote to United States citizens, representatives of the travel and trade industries, and local government officials information relating to the implementation of this subsection. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with representatives of the travel and trade industries in the development of such public communications plan.

`(8) COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prepare an extensive regulatory impact analysis that is fully compliant with Executive Order No. 12866 and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-4 for an economically significant regulatory action before publishing a rule with respect to the implementation of the requirements of this subsection.'.

(b) Report- Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and every 120 days thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees (as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101)) a report on the implementation of paragraphs (3) through (8) of section 7209(b) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.

SEC. 1125. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS ON INTEROPERABILITY.

It is the sense of the Congress that efforts to achieve local, regional, and national interoperable emergency communications in the near term should be supported and are critical in assisting communities with their local and regional efforts to properly coordinate and execute their interoperability plans.

SEC. 1126. TRAVELERS REDRESS INQUIRY PROGRAM.

Of the amount authorized to be appropriated under section 101, such sums as may be necessary shall be available to the Secretary of Homeland Security to take all necessary actions to protect the security of personal information submitted electronically to the Internet website of the Department of Homeland Security established for the Travelers Redress Inquiry Program and other websites of the Department related to that program.

SEC. 1127. TRANSPORTATION WORKER IDENTIFICATION CREDENTIAL PROGRAM.

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall work with the State of Florida and other States, as appropriate, to resolve the differences between the Transportation Worker Identification Credential and existing access control credentials.

SEC. 1128. AUTOMATED TARGETING SYSTEM FOR PERSONS ENTERING OR DEPARTING THE UNITED STATES.

(a) Findings of the 9/11 Commission- Congress finds that the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (commonly referred to as the 9/11 Commission) concluded that--

(1) `The small terrorist travel intelligence collection and analysis program currently in place has produced disproportionately useful results. It should be expanded. Since officials at the border encounter travelers and their documents first and investigate travel facilitators, they must work closely with intelligence officials.';

(2) `Information systems able to authenticate travel documents and detect potential terrorist indicators should be used at consulates, at primary border inspection lines, in immigration service offices, and intelligence and enforcement units.';

(3) `The President should direct the Department of Homeland Security to lead the effort to design a comprehensive screening system, addressing common problems and setting common standards with systemwide goals in mind.';

(4) `A screening system looks for particular, identifiable suspects or indicators of risk. It does not involve guesswork about who might be dangerous. It requires frontline border officials who have the tools and resources to establish that people are who they say they are, intercept identifiable suspects, and disrupt terrorist operations.'; and

(5) `Inspectors adjudicating entries of the 9/11 hijackers lacked adequate information and knowledge of the rules. A modern border and immigration system should combine a biometric entry-exit system with accessible files on visitors and immigrants, along with intelligence on indicators of terrorist travel.'.

(b) Automated Targeting System for Persons Entering or Departing the United States- The Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, may establish an automated system for the purpose of the enforcement of United States law, including laws relating to anti-terrorism and border security, to assist in the screening of persons seeking to enter or depart the United States (in this section referred to as the `system').

(c) Administrative Process to Correct Information- The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall ensure than an administrative process is established, or application of an existing administrative process is extended, pursuant to which any individual may apply to correct any information retained by the system established under subsection (b). Nothing in this section shall be construed as creating a private right of action for any case or claim arising from the application of the system or the corrective administrative process established or applied under this section.

(d) Rule of Construction- Nothing in this section shall be construed as abrogating, diminishing, or weakening the provisions of any Federal or State law that prevents or protects against the unauthorized collection or release of personal records.

Passed the House of Representatives May 9, 2007.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,

Clerk.

END