S.Amdt. 3367

SA 3367. Mr. LEVIN (for himself and Ms. Collins) submitted an
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3192 submitted by Mr.
Specter (for himself, Mr. Leahy, and Mr. Hagel) to the bill S. 2454, to
amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for comprehensive
reform and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table;
as follows:

On page 32, line 7, before ``The Secretary'' insert the
following: ``(a) In General.--''.
On page 32, between lines 20 and 21, insert the following:
(b) Communication System Grants.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
(A) the term ``demonstration project'' means the
demonstration project established under paragraph (2)(A); and
(B) the term ``emergency response provider'' has the
meaning given that term in section 2(6) the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101(6)).
(2) In general.--
(A) Establishment.--There is established in the Department
an ``International Border Community Interoperable
Communications Demonstration Project''.
(B) Minimum number of communities.--The Secretary shall
select not fewer than 6 communities to participate in a
demonstration project.
(C) Location of communities.--Not fewer than 3 of the
communities selected under subparagraph (B) shall be located
on the northern border of the United States and not fewer
than 3 of the communities selected under subparagraph (B)
shall be located on the southern border of the United States.
(3) Project requirements.--The demonstration projects
shall--
(A) address the interoperable communications needs of
border patrol agents and other Federal officials involved in
border security activities, police officers, National Guard
personnel, and emergency response providers;
(B) foster interoperable communications--
(i) among Federal, State, local, and tribal government
agencies in the United States involved in security and
response activities along the international land borders of
the United States; and
(ii) with similar agencies in Canada and Mexico;
(C) identify common international cross-border frequencies
for communications equipment, including radio or computer
messaging equipment;
(D) foster the standardization of interoperable
communications equipment;
(E) identify solutions that will facilitate communications
interoperability across national borders expeditiously;
(F) ensure that border patrol agents and other Federal
officials involved in border security activities, police
officers, National Guard personnel, and emergency response
providers can communicate with each another and the public at
disaster sites or in the event of a terrorist attack or other
catastrophic event;
(G) provide training and equipment to enable border patrol
agents and other Federal officials involved in border
security activities, police officers, National Guard
personnel, and emergency response providers to deal with
threats and contingencies in a variety of environments; and
(H) identify and secure appropriate joint-use equipment to
ensure communications access.
(4) Distribution of funds.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall distribute funds under
this subsection to each community participating in a
demonstration project through the State, or States, in which
each community is located.
(B) Other participants.--Not later than 60 days after
receiving funds under subparagraph (A), a State receiving
funds under this subsection shall make the funds available to

[[Page S2963]]

the local governments and emergency response providers
participating in a demonstration project selected by the
Secretary.
(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated such sums as are necessary in each of
fiscal years 2006, 2007, and 2008, to carry out this
subsection.
(6) Reporting.--Not later than December 31, 2006, and each
year thereafter in which funds are appropriated for a
demonstration project, the Secretary shall provide to the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the
House of Representatives a report on the demonstration
projects under this subsection.
______