To improve the capacity of the United States Border Patrol to rapidly respond to threats to border security.

1. Inserts new text on page 63, between lines 9 and 10

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   Inserted: (a) Emergency Deployment of Border Patrol Agents.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--If the Governor of a State on an international border of the United States declares an international border security emergency and requests additional United States Border Patrol agents (referred to in this subtitle as "agents") from the Secretary, the Secretary, subject to paragraphs (1) and (2), may provide the State with not more than 1,000 additional agents for the purpose of patrolling and defending the international border, in order to prevent individuals from crossing the international border into the United States at any location other than an authorized port of entry.

   Inserted: (2) Consultation.--Upon receiving a request for agents under paragraph (1), the Secretary, after consultation with the President, shall grant such request to the extent that providing such agents will not significantly impair the Department's ability to provide border security for any other State.

   Inserted: (3) Collective bargaining.--Emergency deployments under this subsection shall be made in accordance with all applicable collective bargaining agreements and obligations.

   Inserted: (b) Elimination of Fixed Deployment of Border Patrol Agents.--The Secretary shall ensure that agents are not precluded from performing patrol duties and apprehending violators of law, except in unusual circumstances if the temporary use of fixed deployment positions is necessary.

   Inserted: (c) Increase in Full-Time Border Patrol Agents.--Section 5202(a)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (118 Stat. 3734), as amended by section 101(b)(2), is further amended by striking "2,000" and inserting "3,000".

   Inserted: SEC. 162. BORDER PATROL MAJOR ASSETS.

   Inserted: (a) Control of Border Patrol Assets.--The United States Border Patrol shall have complete and exclusive administrative and operational control over all the assets utilized in carrying out its mission, including, aircraft, watercraft, vehicles, detention space, transportation, and all of the personnel associated with such assets.

   Inserted: (b) Helicopters and Power Boats.--

   Inserted: (1) Helicopters.--The Secretary shall increase, by not less than 100, the number of helicopters under the control of the United States Border Patrol. The Secretary shall ensure that appropriate types of helicopters are procured for the various missions being performed.

   Inserted: (2) Power boats.--The Secretary shall increase, by not less than 250, the number of power boats under the control of the United States Border Patrol. The Secretary shall ensure that the types of power boats that are procured are appropriate for both the waterways in which they are used and the mission requirements.

   Inserted: (3) Use and training.--The Secretary shall--

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   Inserted: (A) establish an overall policy on how the helicopters and power boats procured under this subsection will be used; and

   Inserted: (B) implement training programs for the agents who use such assets, including safe operating procedures and rescue operations.

   Inserted: (c) Motor Vehicles.--

   Inserted: (1) Quantity.--The Secretary shall establish a fleet of motor vehicles appropriate for use by the United States Border Patrol that will permit a ratio of not less than 1 police-type vehicle for every 3 agents. These police-type vehicles shall be replaced not less than every 3 years. The Secretary shall ensure that there are sufficient numbers and types of other motor vehicles to support the mission of the United States Border Patrol.

   Inserted: (2) Features.--All motor vehicles purchased for the United States Border Patrol shall--

   Inserted: (A) be appropriate for the mission of the United States Border Patrol; and

   Inserted: (B) have a panic button and a global positioning system device that is activated solely in emergency situations to track the location of agents in distress.

   Inserted: SEC. 163. ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT.

   Inserted: (a) Portable Computers.--The Secretary shall ensure that each police-type motor vehicle in the fleet of the United States Border Patrol is equipped with a portable computer with access to all necessary law enforcement databases and otherwise suited to the unique operational requirements of the United States Border Patrol.

   Inserted: (b) Radio Communications.--The Secretary shall augment the existing radio communications system so that all law enforcement personnel working in each area where United States Border Patrol operations are conducted have clear and encrypted 2-way radio communication capabilities at all times. Each portable communications device shall be equipped with a panic button and a global positioning system device that is activated solely in emergency situations to track the location of agents in distress.

   Inserted: (c) Hand-Held Global Positioning System Devices.--The Secretary shall ensure that each United States Border Patrol agent is issued a state-of-the-art hand-held global positioning system device for navigational purposes.

   Inserted: (d) Night Vision Equipment.--The Secretary shall ensure that sufficient quantities of state-of-the-art night vision equipment are procured and maintained to enable each United States Border Patrol agent working during the hours of darkness to be equipped with a portable night vision device.

   Inserted: SEC. 164. PERSONAL EQUIPMENT.

   Inserted: (a) Border Armor.--The Secretary shall ensure that every agent is issued high-quality body armor that is appropriate for the climate and risks faced by the agent. Each agent shall be permitted to select from among a variety of approved brands and styles. Agents shall be strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear such body armor whenever practicable. All body armor shall be replaced not less than every 5 years.

   Inserted: (b) Weapons.--The Secretary shall ensure that agents are equipped with weapons that are reliable and effective to protect themselves, their fellow agents, and innocent third parties from the threats posed by armed criminals. The Secretary shall ensure that the policies of the Department authorize all agents to carry weapons that are suited to the potential threats that they face.

   Inserted: (c) Uniforms.--The Secretary shall ensure that all agents are provided with all necessary uniform items, including outerwear suited to the climate, footwear, belts, holsters, and personal protective equipment, at no cost to such agents. Such items shall be replaced at no cost to such agents as they become worn, unserviceable, or no longer fit properly.

   Inserted: SEC. 165. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

   Inserted: There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2007 through 2011 to carry out this subtitle.

   Original wording

   On page 63, between lines 9 and 10, insert the following:

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