Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2006
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (8 Dec 2006): Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 432.
What this bill does
H.R. 4941, the Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2006, aims to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) science and technology efforts. The bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to support the creation and updating of national voluntary standards for homeland security equipment and training. It also proposes establishing a technology transfer program to help commercialize technologies for preventing, preparing for, or responding to terrorism and other emergencies.
The legislation affects emergency response providers at federal, state, and local levels, as well as DHS personnel, by guiding the development of standards for equipment they use and training they receive. It also impacts the commercial sector by creating a program to identify and facilitate the adoption of useful technologies. Additionally, the bill mandates research and development in cybersecurity to improve the nation's defense against cyber attacks.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2006. As of its latest action, it has been ordered to be reported with amendments. This means it has passed through a committee stage and is moving towards further consideration by the full House. If passed by the House, it would then proceed to the Senate for its review and potential passage.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2006 - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (the Secretary), acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology (the Under Secretary), and in consultation with other components of DHS, as, appropriate, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to support the development, promulgation, and updating as necessary of national voluntary consensus standards for homeland security equipment. Allows the Secretary, in coordination with the Director of NIST, to support the certification of equipment and the accreditation of laboratories to conduct testing and evaluation. Sets forth special rules concerning equipment standards and DHS acquisitions and DHS-supported acquisitions of new equipment and systems.
Directs the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary, and in consultation with other DHS components, as, appropriate, to support the development, promulgation, and regular updating as necessary of national voluntary consensus standards for homeland security training. Instructs the Secretary to consult with relevant public and private groups, including those specified. Requires the Secretary in supporting the development, promulgation, and updating of any national voluntary consensus standards for equipment or training of emergency response providers that involve or relate to health or emergency medical services professionals to coordinate activities with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Secretary of Transportation.
Requires the Secretary, in carrying out this section, to comply with the requirements of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act regarding the use of consensus technical standards by federal agencies and departments.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary to complete the establishment of the Technology Clearinghouse. Requires the establishment of a homeland security technology transfer program to facilitate the identification, modification, and commercialization of technology and equipment for use to prevent, prepare for, or respond to acts of terrorism or other emergencies. Requires activities of the program to include: (1) identifying available technologies that have been, or are in the process of being, developed, tested, evaluated, or demonstrated by DHS, other federal agencies, the private sector, or foreign governments and international organizations, and reviewing whether such technologies may be useful; and (2) communicating the availability of such technologies, as well as the technology's specifications, satisfaction of appropriate standards, and the appropriate grants available from DHS to purchase such technologies. Specifies the responsibilities of the Under Secretary, in supporting such activities, including to: (1) enter into agreements and coordinate with other federal agencies, foreign governments, and national and international organizations, as appropriate, in order to maximize the effectiveness of such technologies or to facilitate commercialization of such technologies; and (2) establish a working group in coordination with the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to advise and assist the Clearinghouse in the identification of military technologies by DOD or the private sector.
Requires the Under Secretary to transmit to Congress a description of the progress DHS has made in implementing the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (relating to the Clearinghouse), including a description of the process used to review unsolicited proposals received as described under such Act.
(Sec. 4) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to terminate the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Committee ten years after its establishment.
(Sec. 5) Directs the Under Secretary to provide technical guidance, training, and other assistance, as appropriate, to support the transfer and integration of homeland security technologies and protocols in urban and other high risk jurisdictions determined by the Secretary to be at consistently high levels of risk from terrorist attack. Requires the Under Secretary, in setting out priorities for and carrying out the activities described in this section, to consult and coordinate with appropriate governors, mayors, other state and local government officials, and first responders.
(Sec. 6) Directs the Under Secretary to support research and development, including fundamental, long-term research, in cybersecurity to improve the ability of the United States to prevent against, detect, respond to, and recover from cyber attacks, with emphasis on research and development relevant to large-scale, high-impact attacks. Requires the Under Secretary, in carrying out this section, to coordinate with the assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Telecommunications and other federal agencies, including those specified. Instructs that activities under this section be carried out in accordance with provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 regarding classification. Authorizes appropriations.
Timeline
8 Dec 2006
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 432.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4941 do?
- H.R. 4941, the Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2006, aims to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) science and technology efforts. The bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to support the creation and updating of national voluntary standards for homeland security equipment and training. It also proposes establishing a technology transfer program to help commercialize technologies for preventing, preparing for, or responding to terrorism and other emergencies. The legislation affects emergency response providers at federal, state, and local levels, as well as DHS personnel, by guiding the development of standards for equipment they use and training they receive. It also impacts the commercial sector by creating a program to identify and facilitate the adoption of useful technologies. Additionally, the bill mandates research and development in cybersecurity to improve the nation's defense against cyber attacks. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in March 2006. As of its latest action, it has been ordered to be reported with amendments. This means it has passed through a committee stage and is moving towards further consideration by the full House. If passed by the House, it would then proceed to the Senate for its review and potential passage.
- Has H.R. 4941 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4941. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4941?
- H.R. 4941 was sponsored by Rep. Reichert, David G. [R-WA-8] (R-WA), with 8 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4941?
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 432. (8 Dec 2006).
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