S.Amdt. 3570

1. Adds SEC. 131. COMMUNICATION SYSTEM GRANTS on page 42, between lines 11 and 12

   Adds a sectionPrinted page

   Inserted: SEC. 131. COMMUNICATION SYSTEM GRANTS.

   Inserted: (a) Definitions.--In this section--

   Inserted: (1) the term "demonstration project" means the demonstration project established under subsection (b)(1); and

   Inserted: (2) 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)).

   Inserted: (b) In General.--

   Inserted: (1) Establishment.--There is established in the Department an International Border Community Interoperable Communications Demonstration Project.

   Inserted: (2) Minimum number of communities.--The Secretary shall select not fewer than 6 communities to participate in the demonstration project.

   Inserted: (3) Location of communities.--Not fewer than 3 of the communities selected under paragraph (2) shall be located on the northern border of the United States and not fewer than 3 of the communities selected under paragraph (2) shall be located on the southern border of the United States.

   Inserted: (c) Project Requirements.--The demonstration project shall--

   Inserted: (1) 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;

   Inserted: (2) foster interoperable communications--

   Inserted: (A) 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

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   Inserted: (B) with similar agencies in Canada and Mexico;

   Inserted: (3) identify common international cross-border frequencies for communications equipment, including radio or computer messaging equipment;

   Inserted: (4) foster the standardization of interoperable communications equipment;

   Inserted: (5) identify solutions that will facilitate communications interoperability across national borders expeditiously;

   Inserted: (6) 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;

   Inserted: (7) 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

   Inserted: (8) identify and secure appropriate joint-use equipment to ensure communications access.

   Inserted: (d) Distribution of Funds.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--The Secretary shall distribute funds under this section to each community participating in the demonstration project through the State, or States, in which each community is located.

   Inserted: (2) Other participants.--Not later than 60 days after receiving funds under paragraph (1), a State receiving funds under this section shall make the funds available to the local governments and emergency response providers participating in the demonstration project, as selected by the Secretary.

   Inserted: (e) 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 section.

   Inserted: (f) Reporting.--Not later than December 31, 2006, and each year thereafter in which funds are appropriated for the 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 project.

   Original wording

   On page 42, between lines 11 and 12, insert the following:

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As printed