To make changes to the Office for State and Local Government Coordination, Department of Homeland Security.

January 7, 2003

Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself and Ms. COLLINS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs

To make changes to the Office for State and Local Government Coordination, Department of Homeland Security.

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

SECTION 1. OFFICE FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COORDINATION.

Section 801 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended--

(1) in subsection (a), by striking `to oversee' and inserting `to be headed by a director, which shall oversee';

(2) in subsection (b)--

(A) in paragraph (3), by striking `and' after the semicolon;

(B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; and

(C) by adding at the end the following:

`(5) prepare an annual report, that contains--

`(A) a description of the State and local priorities in each of the 50 States based on discovered needs of first responder organizations, including law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, medical providers, emergency service providers, and relief agencies;

`(B) a needs assessment that identifies homeland security functions in which the Federal role is duplicative of the State or local role, and recommendations to decrease or eliminate inefficiencies between the Federal Government and State and local entities;

`(C) recommendations to Congress regarding the creation, expansion, or elimination of any program to assist State and local entities to carry out their respective functions under the Department; and

`(D) proposals to increase the coordination of Department priorities within each State and between the States.'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

`(c) HOMELAND SECURITY LIAISON OFFICERS-

`(1) DESIGNATION- The Secretary shall designate in each State and the District of Columbia not less than 1 employee of the Department to serve as the Homeland Security Liaison Officer in that State or District.

`(2) DUTIES- Each Homeland Security Liaison Officer designated under paragraph (1) shall--

`(A) provide State and local government officials with regular information, research, and technical support to assist local efforts at securing the homeland;

`(B) provide coordination between the Department and State and local first responders, including--

`(i) law enforcement agencies;

`(ii) fire and rescue agencies;

`(iii) medical providers;

`(iv) emergency service providers; and

`(v) relief agencies;

`(C) notify the Department of the State and local areas requiring additional information, training, resources, and security;

`(D) provide training, information, and education regarding homeland security for State and local entities;

`(E) identify homeland security functions in which the Federal role is duplicative of the State or local role, and recommend ways to decrease or eliminate inefficiencies;

`(F) assist State and local entities in priority setting based on discovered needs of first responder organizations, including law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, medical providers, emergency service providers, and relief agencies;

`(G) assist the Department to identify and implement State and local homeland security objectives in an efficient and productive manner;

`(H) serve as a liaison to the Department in representing State and local priorities and concerns regarding homeland security;

`(I) consult with State and local government officials, including emergency managers, to coordinate efforts and avoid duplication; and

`(J) coordinate with Homeland Security Liaison Officers in neighboring States to--

`(i) address shared vulnerabilities; and

`(ii) identify opportunities to achieve efficiencies through interstate activities.

`(d) FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON FIRST RESPONDERS AND STATE, LOCAL, AND CROSS-JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES-

`(1) IN GENERAL- There is established an Interagency Committee on First Responders and State, Local, and Cross-jurisdictional Issues (in this section referred to as the `Interagency Committee'), that shall--

`(A) ensure coordination, with respect to homeland security functions, among the Federal agencies involved with--

`(i) State, local, and regional governments;

`(ii) State, local, and community-based law enforcement;

`(iii) fire and rescue operations; and

`(iv) medical and emergency relief services;

`(B) identify community-based law enforcement, fire and rescue, and medical and emergency relief services needs;

`(C) recommend new or expanded grant programs to improve community-based law enforcement, fire and rescue, and medical and emergency relief services;

`(D) identify ways to streamline the process through which Federal agencies support community-based law enforcement, fire and rescue, and medical and emergency relief services; and

`(E) assist in priority setting based on discovered needs.

`(2) MEMBERSHIP- The Interagency Committee shall be composed of--

`(A) a representative of the Office for State and Local Government Coordination;

`(B) a representative of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services;

`(C) a representative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services;

`(D) a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Department;

`(E) a representative of the United States Coast Guard of the Department;

`(F) a representative of the Department of Defense;

`(G) a representative of the Office of Domestic Preparedness of the Department;

`(H) a representative of the Directorate of Immigration Affairs of the Department;

`(I) a representative of the Transportation Security Agency of the Department;

`(J) a representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice; and

`(K) representatives of any other Federal agency identified by the President as having a significant role in the purposes of the Interagency Committee.

`(3) ADMINISTRATION- The Department shall provide administrative support to the Interagency Committee and the Advisory Council, which shall include--

`(A) scheduling meetings;

`(B) preparing agenda;

`(C) maintaining minutes and records;

`(D) producing reports; and

`(E) reimbursing Advisory Council members.

`(4) LEADERSHIP- The members of the Interagency Committee shall select annually a chairperson.

`(5) MEETINGS- The Interagency Committee shall meet--

`(A) at the call of the Secretary; or

`(B) not less frequently than once every 3 months.

`(e) ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE-

`(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established an Advisory Council for the Interagency Committee (in this section referred to as the `Advisory Council').

`(2) MEMBERSHIP-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The Advisory Council shall be composed of not more than 13 members, selected by the Interagency Committee.

`(B) DUTIES- The Advisory Council shall--

`(i) develop a plan to disseminate information on first response best practices;

`(ii) identify and educate the Secretary on the latest technological advances in the field of first response;

`(iii) identify probable emerging threats to first responders;

`(iv) identify needed improvements to first response techniques and training;

`(v) identify efficient means of communication and coordination between first responders and Federal, State, and local officials;

`(vi) identify areas in which the Department can assist first responders; and

`(vii) evaluate the adequacy and timeliness of resources being made available to local first responders.

`(C) REPRESENTATION- The Interagency Committee shall ensure that the membership of the Advisory Council represents--

`(i) the law enforcement community;

`(ii) fire and rescue organizations;

`(iii) medical and emergency relief services; and

`(iv) both urban and rural communities.

`(3) CHAIRPERSON- The Advisory Council shall select annually a chairperson from among its members.

`(4) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS- The members of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation, but shall be eligible for reimbursement of necessary expenses connected with their service to the Advisory Council.

`(5) MEETINGS- The Advisory Council shall meet with the Interagency Committee not less frequently than once every 3 months.'.

END