H.R. 1178

To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes.

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IIB

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1178

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 13, 2009

Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

AN ACT

To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes.

1.

Civil Air Patrol Study

(a)

Study

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the functions and capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to support the homeland security missions of State, local, and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security. In conducting the study, the Comptroller General shall review the process by which the Civil Air Patrol may provide assistance to the Secretary of Homeland Security, other Federal agencies, and States to support homeland security missions by—

(1)

providing aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security;

(2)

providing capabilities for collective response to an act of terrorism, natural disaster, or other man-made event by assisting in damage assessment and situational awareness, conducting search and rescue operations, assisting in evacuations, transporting time-sensitive medical or other materials;

(3)

providing assistance in the exercise and training of departmental resources responsible for the intercept of aviation threats to designated restricted areas; and

(4)

carrying out such other activities as may be determined appropriate by the Comptroller General in the conduct of this review.

(b)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing the findings of the review conducted under subsection (a). The report shall include—

(1)

an assessment of the feasibility and cost effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets for the purposes described in subsection (a); and

(2)

an assessment as to whether the current mechanisms for Federal agencies and States to request support from the Civil Air Patrol are sufficient or whether new agreements between relevant Federal agencies and the Civil Air Patrol are necessary.

(c)

Report to Congress

Not later than 90 days after the date of receipt of the report under subsection (b), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall review and analyze the study and submit to the Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on such review and analysis, which shall include any recommendations of the Secretary for further action that could affect the organization and administration of the Department of Homeland Security.

Passed the House of Representatives May 12, 2009.

Lorraine C. Miller,

Clerk.