[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2459 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2459
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to award research and
equipment grants, to provide a tax credit for employers who hire
temporary workers to replace employees receiving first responder
training, to provide school-based mental health training, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 20, 2004
Mr. Rockefeller introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Finance
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to award research and
equipment grants, to provide a tax credit for employers who hire
temporary workers to replace employees receiving first responder
training, to provide school-based mental health training, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Community Security Act''.
SEC. 2. TAX INCENTIVES TO FACILITATE TRAINING OR DISASTER RESPONSE BY
INDIVIDUALS SERVING AS VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS.
(a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Seventy percent of our Nation's firefighters are
volunteers, as are many emergency medical service and police
personnel.
(2) States rely heavily on the services of these volunteer
first responders.
(3) Many career first responders begin as volunteers.
(4) Volunteer first responders need the same preparation
and training as career first responders. Advanced training is
frequently required before volunteer first responders can be
fully integrated in a State homeland security plan.
(5) The training and duties of volunteer first responders
sometimes conflict with their regular employment for
significant periods of time, such as in cases of out-of-State
training and disaster response. In these cases employers may
need to hire temporary replacement workers or incur other
related costs while the volunteer responders are away from
work. The burden of temporarily replacing these employees is
particularly great for small and single-employer businesses.
(b) Volunteer First Responder Credit.--
(1) In general.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of
chapter 1 (relating to business-related credits), as amended by
this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 45G. CREDIT TO EMPLOYERS OF VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS.
``(a) General Rule.--For purposes of section 38, the volunteer
first responder employee credit is an amount equal to 50 percent of the
sum of--
``(1) the employment credit with respect to all qualified
volunteer first responder employees of the taxpayer,
``(2) in the case of a small business employer, the
replacement credit with respect to all qualified volunteer
first responder employees of the taxpayer, plus
``(3) the self-employment credit of a qualified volunteer
first responder self-employed taxpayer.
``(b) Employment Credit.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The employment credit with respect to
any qualified volunteer first responder employee of the
taxpayer is an amount equal to the lesser of--
``(A) the actual compensation amount with respect
to such employee for such taxable year, or
``(B) $30,000.
``(2) Actual compensation amount.--
``(A) In general.--The term `actual compensation
amount' means the amount of compensation paid or
incurred by the taxpayer with respect to a qualified
volunteer first responder employee on any day when such
employee was absent from employment for the purpose of
participating in a qualified activity.
``(B) Compensation.--The term `compensation' means
any remuneration for employment, whether in cash or in
kind, which is paid or incurred by a taxpayer and which
is deductible from the taxpayer's gross income under
section 162(a)(1).
``(3) Limitation.--No credit shall be allowed under this
subsection with respect to any day that a qualified volunteer
first responder employee who takes part in a qualified activity
was not scheduled to work (for reason other than to participate
in a qualified activity).
``(c) Replacement Credit.--For purposes of this section.--
``(1) In general.--The replacement credit with respect to
any qualified volunteer first responder employee of the
taxpayer is an amount equal to the sum of--
``(A) the qualified compensation with respect to
each qualified replacement employee of the taxpayer
paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year, and
``(B) the qualified overtime wages paid by the
taxpayer during the taxable year.
``(2) Limitation.--The amount of the credit allowed by
reason of this subsection shall not exceed $12,000 for any
taxable year.
``(3) Qualified compensation.--The term `qualified
compensation' means--
``(A) compensation which is normally contingent on
the qualified replacement employee's presence for work
and which is deductible from the taxpayer's gross
income under section 162(a)(1),
``(B) compensation which is not characterized by
the taxpayer as vacation or holiday pay, or as sick
leave or pay, or as any other form of pay for a
nonspecific leave of absence, and
``(C) group health plan costs (if any) with respect
to the qualified replacement employee.
``(4) Qualified replacement employee.--The term `qualified
replacement employee' means an individual who is hired to
replace a qualified volunteer first responder employee, but
only with respect to the period during which such employee
participates in a qualified activity, including time spent in
travel status.
``(5) Qualified overtime wages.--For purposes of this
section, the term `qualified overtime wages' means overtime
wages paid to an employee of the taxpayer (other than a
qualified replacement employee) for duties normally performed
by a qualified volunteer first responder employee, but only
with respect to the period during which such qualified
volunteer first responder employee participates in a qualified
activity, including time spent in travel status.
``(6) Coordination with other credits.--The amount of
credit otherwise allowable under sections 51(a) and 1396(a)
with respect to any employee shall be reduced by the credit
allowed by reason of paragraph (1)(A) with respect to such
employee.
``(d) Self-Employment Credit.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) In general.--The self-employment credit with respect
to a qualified volunteer first responder self-employed taxpayer
is an amount equal to the amount paid or incurred by such
taxpayer with respect to a qualified self-employment
replacement employee.
``(2) Qualified volunteer first responder self-employed
taxpayer.--The term `qualified volunteer first responder self-
employed taxpayer' means a taxpayer who--
``(A) has self-employment income (as defined in
section 1402) for the taxable year, and
``(B) holds a volunteer position as a firefighter,
law enforcement official, or emergency medical service
provider.
``(3) Qualified self-employment replacement employee.--The
term `qualified self-employment replacement employee' means an
individual who is hired to replace the qualified volunteer
first responder self-employed taxpayer, but only with respect
to the period during which such taxpayer participates in a
qualified activity, including time spent in travel status.
``(e) Definitions and Other Rules.--For purposes of this section--
``(1) Qualified volunteer first responder employee.--The
term `qualified volunteer first responder employee' means an
individual who--
``(A) has been an employee of the taxpayer for the
91-day period immediately preceding the period during
which the employee participates in a qualified
activity, and
``(B) holds a volunteer position as a firefighter,
law enforcement official, or emergency medical service
provider.
``(2) Qualified activity.--The term `qualified activity'
means--
``(A) training with respect to duties performed in
connection with the volunteer position of the qualified
volunteer first responder employee or qualified
volunteer first responder self-employed taxpayer, and
``(B) the performance of duties in connection with
the volunteer position of the qualified volunteer first
responder employee or qualified volunteer first
responder self-employed taxpayer, but only to the
extent that such duties take not less than 1 day to
perform.
``(3) Small business employer.--
``(A) In general.--The term `small business
employer' means, with respect to any taxable year, any
employer who employed an average of 200 or fewer
employees on business days during such taxable year.
``(B) Controlled groups.--For purposes of
subparagraph (A), all persons treated as a single
employer under subsection (b), (c), (m), or (o) of
section 414 shall be treated as a single employer.''.
(2) Credit made part of general business credit.--Section
38(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by
striking ``plus'' at the end of paragraph (14), by striking the
period at the end of paragraph (15) and inserting ``, plus'',
and by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(16) the volunteer first responder employee credit
determined under section 45G.''.
(3) Transition rule.--Section 39(d) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(11) No carryback of volunteer first responder employee
credit before enactment.--No portion of the unused business
credit for any taxable year which is attributable to the
volunteer first responder employee credit determined under
section 45G may be carried back to a taxable year beginning
before January 1, 2004.''.
(4) Denial of double benefit.--Section 280C(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to rule for employment
credits) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``or compensation'' after
``salaries'', and
(B) by inserting ``45G,'', after ``45A(a),''.
(5) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections for
subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end
the following new item:
``Sec. 45G. Credit to employers of volunteer first responders.''.
(6) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.
(c) Deduction for Certain Expenses of Volunteer First Responders.--
(1) Deduction for travel expenses.--
(A) Deduction allowed.--Section 162 (relating to
certain trade or business expenses) is amended by
redesignating subsection (q) as subsection (r) and
inserting after subsection (p) the following new
subsection:
``(q) Treatment of Expenses of Volunteer First Responders.--For
purposes of subsection (a)(2), in the case of an individual who
participates in a qualified activity (within the meaning of section
45G(e)(2)) as a volunteer first responder (within the meaning of
section 224) at any time during the taxable year, such individual shall
be deemed to be away from home in the pursuit of a trade or business
for any period during which such individual is away from home in
connection with such participation.''.
(B) Deduction allowed whether or not taxpayer
elects to itemize.--Section 62(a)(2) (relating to
certain trade and business deductions of employees) is
amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(F) Certain expenses of volunteer first
responders.--The deductions allowed by section 162
which consist of expenses, determined at a rate not in
excess of the rates for travel expenses (including per
diem in lieu of subsistence) authorized for employees
of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title
5, United States Code, paid or incurred by the taxpayer
in connection with participation in qualified
activities (as defined in section 45G(e)(2)) as a
volunteer first responder for any period during which
such individual is more than 100 miles away from home
in connection with such qualified activities.''.
(2) Deduction for training expenses.--
(A) In general.--Part VII of subchapter B of
chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
(relating to additional itemized deduction for
individuals) is amended by redesignating section 224 as
section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the
following new section:
``SEC. 224. CERTAIN EXPENSES OF VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS.
``(a) In General.--In the case of a volunteer first responder,
there shall be allowed as a deduction an amount equal to the expenses
paid or incurred by the volunteer first responder necessary for
training with respect to duties performed in connection with the
volunteer position of such volunteer first responder.
``(b) Volunteer First Responder.--For purposes of this section, the
term `volunteer first responder' means an individual who holds a
volunteer position as a firefighter, law enforcement official, or
emergency medical service provider.''.
(B) Deduction allowed whether or not taxpayer
elects to itemize.--Section 62(a) of such Code
(relating to adjusted gross income) is amended by
adding at the end the following new section:
``(20) Volunteer first responder training expenses.--The
deduction allowed by section 224.''.
(C) Conforming amendment.--The table of section for
part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is
amended by striking the item relating to section 224
and inserting the following:
``Sec. 224. Certain expenses of volunteer first responders.
``Sec. 225. Cross reference.''.
(3) Effective date.--The amendments made by this subsection
shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2003.
SEC. 3. CRITICAL NEED GRANTS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) According to a report by the Council on Foreign
Relations Independent Task Force, first responders in the
United States are underfunded and unprepared for future
natural, technological, and human-caused disasters.
(2) Local firefighters, police officers, and emergency
medical personnel are responsible for disaster prevention,
mitigation, and response.
(3) It is essential that first responders have basic safety
equipment that is in good working order and customized, if
appropriate, to do their jobs as safely and effectively as
possible.
(4) All first responder operation centers need basic
communications equipment, including--
(A) multiple touch-tone phone lines;
(B) a fax machine with a dedicated phone line;
(C) a computer with a high-speed connection to the
Internet; and
(D) personal communication devices for shift
supervisors, their commanders, and all first responders
in a work unit.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish a
competitive grant program within the Department of Homeland Security to
provide first responders with the basic equipment needed to accomplish
their homeland security goals.
(c) Local Critical Need Homeland Security Grants for First
Responders.--Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 510. LOCAL CRITICAL NEED HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS FOR FIRST
RESPONDERS.
``(a) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
``(1) Basic personal equipment.--The term `basic personal
equipment' means equipment necessary to achieve the standard of
basic preparedness established by the Under Secretary for
Emergency Preparedness and Response under subsection (d),
including--
``(A) personal breathing apparatus;
``(B) protective equipment; and
``(C) bulletproof vests.
``(2) Communications enhancement.--The term `communications
enhancement' means improvements to local first responder
communications systems that are necessary to achieve the
standard of basic preparedness established by the
Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response under
subsection (d), including the development or enhancement of--
``(A) emergency operations centers;
``(B) processes and facilities for information
sharing among different levels and first responder
units; and
``(C) communications capabilities within individual
firehouses, police precincts, or other centers of
emergency operation.
``(b) Standard of Basic Preparedness.--Not later than September 30,
2005, the Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response shall
establish a standard of basic preparedness for local first responders,
which shall provide for maximum State flexibility.
``(c) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award need-based,
competitive grants to States and units of local government to be used
for basic personal equipment and communications enhancement needed to
perform their disaster response, mitigation, and recovery missions.
``(d) Application.--
``(1) In general.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Under
Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information, including the
safety and communications equipment to be purchased with grant
funds, as the Under Secretary may reasonably require.
``(2) Priority.--
``(A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall give
the highest priority to applicants demonstrating the
greatest need for basic personal equipment and
communication enhancements when compared to the
standard of basic preparedness established under
subsection (d).
``(B) Interim priority.--Until a standard of basic
preparedness is established under subsection (d), the
Secretary shall give highest priority to applicants
that demonstrate the greatest need for basic personal
equipment and communication enhancements when compared
to the standard under consideration.
``(3) Evaluation plans.--The Secretary shall use evaluation
plans under consideration to help determine which applicants
will receive grants under this section.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2007, such sums as
may be necessary to carry out this section, which shall remain
available until expended.''.
SEC. 4. SAFE SCHOOLS THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.
(a) Grants Authorized.--Subpart 2 of part A of title IV of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7131 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 4131. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.
``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide grants to
States and local educational agencies--
``(1) to prepare for and respond to disasters or terrorism
in or impacting schools;
``(2) to prevent avoidable disasters, such as in-school or
school-related violence;
``(3) to establish community-sustainable mental health
programs in schools; and
``(4) to train school personnel on mental health issues,
including disaster and terrorism prevention, response, and
mitigation.
``(b) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
``(1) Schools occupy a unique place in the community. In
addition to their main mission of educating children, they
serve a public education role and a role in community
organization.
``(2) Schools have new responsibilities in the homeland
security era and in terms of disaster response. Schools often
serve as community meeting places, centers of operation for
disaster response, and shelters, and have a place in preventing
some disasters from happening. Schools may also be called upon
to fill novel roles in the case of a disaster, such as keeping
children safe after normal school hours.
``(3) Some disasters, such as in-school violence, are
largely preventable. Mental health professionals in schools may
be able to anticipate and prevent school-related disasters and
are better positioned to mitigate disaster effects.
``(4) After any disaster, people benefit from returning to
their normal routine to whatever extent possible. Schools may
be in the position to mitigate disaster-related stress.
``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `eligible entity'
means a public school or a local educational agency.
``(d) Safe Schools Through Mental Health Program.--
``(1) Grants authorized.--From funds made available to
carry out this subpart under section 4003(2), the Secretary
shall award grants to eligible entities to pay the Federal
share of the cost of carrying out the activities described in
paragraph (3).
``(2) Application.--An eligible entity that desires to
receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require,
including a certification that the eligible entity will provide
the necessary State or local funding to continue the activities
initiated with the grant during the 5-year period beginning on
the date on which such grant is awarded.
``(3) Uses of funds.--An eligible entity that receives a
grant under this subsection may use the grant funds to--
``(A) train elementary school and secondary school
teachers, administrators, and other professionals to--
``(i) identify and prevent avoidable
disasters; and
``(ii) assist children in dealing with the
aftermath of terrorism and disasters or other
mental health issues;
``(B) provide for school-based mental health
professionals to offer services in elementary and
secondary schools;
``(C) provide mental health services to elementary
and secondary school students who face, or have faced,
disciplinary action, including students who have been
suspended or expelled from school.
``(4) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of
carrying out the activities under paragraph (3) shall be not
more than--
``(A) 80 percent of the total cost of such
activities, in the first year of the grant award;
``(B) 60 percent of the total cost of such
activities, in the second year of the grant award;
``(C) 40 percent of the total cost of such
activities, in the third year of the grant award;
``(D) 20 percent of the total cost of such
activities, in the fourth year of the grant award; and
``(E) 0 percent of the total cost of such
activities, in the fifth year of the grant award.
``(5) State and local funding.--If an eligible entity
receiving a grant under this subsection fails to provide
sufficient State or local funding, in accordance with paragraph
(4), the eligible entity shall be subject to a penalty up to
the amount received under this subsection, as determined by the
Secretary, which shall be payable to the United States
Treasury.
``(e) School-Based Disaster Mitigation Refund Program.--
``(1) Grants authorized.--From funds made available to
carry out this subpart under section 4003(2), the Secretary, in
an emergency declared by the President under title V of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 501 et seq.), shall award grants to eligible
entities to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out
the activities described in paragraph (3).
``(2) Application.--An eligible entity that desires to
receive a grant under this subsection shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.
``(3) Use of funds.--An eligible entity that receives a
grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to
reimburse elementary and secondary schools for costs incurred
by such schools--
``(A) during a disaster response; and
``(B) for in-school mental health counseling for a
period of 13 months beginning on the date of the
disaster.''.
(b) Federal Emergency Assistance.--Section 502(a) of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5192(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) provide financial assistance to affected State and
local governments for school-based community mental health
counseling.''.
SEC. 5. HOMELAND SECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for
funding the intramural and extramural research and development
to address the Department's scientific and technological needs
and requirements.
(2) Funding has been appropriated to the Department of
Homeland Security to carry out significant levels of scientific
development, and this funding will likely increase in the
future.
(3) Terrorist threats against the United States are not
restricted to a single geographic area, terrorist group, or
method of threat. Undefended borders make terrorist attacks
possible in places that have never had to prepare for, or
respond to, terrorism.
(4) Every State must be prepared for disasters and will
incur costs associated with homeland security.
(5) States experience varying levels of potential homeland
security threats and homeland security concerns vary
geographically. Addressing these threats requires regional and
local expertise, thus the scientific and technological
workforce and training should not be overly centralized.
(6) Academic research and development funding has not been
distributed equitably in the past. Congress has taken steps to
resolve this problem. Correcting this inequity will provide
beneficial results for science and technology training and
research.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish a
competitive grant program for homeland security research and
development.
(c) Homeland Security Research and Development Grant Program.--
Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 314. COMPETITIVE RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Under
Secretary for Science and Technology, shall establish a Homeland
Security Competitive Research Grant Program (referred to in this
section as the `Program') to more equitably distribute Federal research
and development funds by awarding competitive grants to universities
and colleges in eligible States to conduct research projects relating
to homeland security.
``(b) Eligible States.--During fiscal years 2005 and 2006, colleges
and universities located in States and territories that qualify for the
National Science Foundation's EPSCoR program or the National Institutes
of Health IDeA program shall be eligible for funding under the Program.
``(c) Responsibilities.--The Under Secretary for Science and
Technology shall--
``(1) ensure that not less than 15 percent of the
Department's overall academic research funding is allocated to
universities and colleges in eligible States;
``(2) establish a cofunding mechanism for States with
academic facilities that have not fully developed security-
related science and technology to support burgeoning research
efforts by the faculty or link them to established
investigators;
``(3) provide for conferences, workshops, outreach, and
technical assistance to researchers and academic institutions
in eligible States on topics related to developing science and
technology expertise in areas of high interest and relevance to
the Department;
``(4) monitor the efforts of States to develop programs
that support the Department's mission;
``(5) implement a merit review program, consistent with
program objectives, to ensure the quality of research conducted
with Program funding; and
``(6) provide annual reports on the progress and
achievements of the Program to the Secretary.
``(d) Annual Report.--Not later than March 15 of each year, the
Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall submit a report to
Congress on the implementation of the Program.
``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated--
``(1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 to carry out
subsection (c)(3); and
``(2) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006 to
carry out this section.''.
SEC. 6. HOMELAND SECURITY RESEARCH EXPANSION GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The Department of Homeland Security should fund
research, which explores the innovative human dimensions of
homeland security.
(2) Infrastructure and transportation systems, and the
systems designed to protect them, are only as effective as
their operators and users.
(3) Because communication before, during, and after
disasters is critical, the understanding of behavioral,
psychological, and social sciences in promoting effective
communications with homeland security goals in mind is vital to
the department's mission.
(4) Several areas of social science are relevant to
homeland security, including--
(A) theories and data regarding threat
communication and the psychological impacts of such
threats;
(B) citizen response to disaster;
(C) group behavior in response to a threat or
actual disaster;
(D) theories and data about the impact of sustained
attention and vigilance on reasoning; and
(E) risk analysis and decision-making and their
application to homeland security.
(5) Since the primary goal of terrorism is to disrupt
social systems, the Department of Homeland Security should
support research on how attitudes and beliefs about terrorism
impact--
(A) consumer confidence;
(B) population mobility;
(C) decisions about childcare;
(D) job behaviors; and
(E) attitudes toward immigrants, political
institutions, and leaders.
(6) Homeland security efforts would benefit from research
on--
(A) the selection, management, and training of
security personnel and first responders;
(B) the impact of stereotyping and marginalization
of groups;
(C) hate crimes;
(D) the emergence and maintenance of
fundamentalist, extremist, and antigovernment groups
within the United States; and
(E) protection against the acts inspired by the
groups described in subparagraph (D).
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish a program
to award research grants to examine the social dimensions of terrorism.
(c) Research Expansion Grants.--Title III of the Homeland Security
Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), as amended by section 5, is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 315. RESEARCH EXPANSION GRANTS.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award research grants to
colleges and universities to--
``(1) analyze group dynamics during periods of extreme
stress, including how first responders--
``(A) react during such periods;
``(B) can be inoculated to stress; and
``(C) can help mitigate the stress and social
disruption that often accompanies emergency situations;
``(2) analyze the social and cultural factors that may
affect the performance of first responder groups;
``(3) expand human factors research to all other modes of
transportation including the use of infrastructure and
transportation systems under evacuation circumstances;
``(4) develop and demonstrate compliance with operability
standards for new technologies designed by human factors
experts in conjunction with users;
``(5) examine the decision making of voluntary first
responders under extended periods of disaster, including
whether volunteer first responders would report to their
primary jobs or their first responder positions if
simultaneously called to both; and
``(6) understand how the Homeland Security Advisory System
operates as a useful communication tool for citizens.
``(b) Application.--Each college and university desiring a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may reasonably require.
``(c) Annual Reports.--
``(1) Report to secretary.--Grant recipients shall submit
an annual report to the Secretary containing specific research
findings that may be used to improve emergency preparedness and
response efforts.
``(2) Report to congress.--The Secretary shall submit an
annual report to Congress on the grant program authorized by
this section.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $40,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2005 through
2007.''.
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