H.R. 1594 – First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 14, 2026 at 2:46 AM UTC

The First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act changes the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to set up a uniform process for reviewing grant requests that want to buy equipment or systems that do not meet existing national voluntary consensus standards. The new process lets the DHS Administrator consider a range of factors, such as past federal use, gaps in capability, and any international standards, before approving or denying the purchase. An Inspector General report must be delivered three years after enactment to show how the process is working. The bill mainly affects first‑responder agencies and other entities that receive DHS equipment grants.

Key Provisions

Adds a requirement that grant applicants must explain why they need equipment that falls below national consensus standards.
Mandates the DHS Administrator to create a uniform review process for these applications.
Specifies factors the Administrator must weigh, including prior federal use, lack of a national standard, existence of international standards, identified capability gaps, and comparative benefit over standard‑compliant gear.
Extends the review to any equipment not on the DHS Authorized Equipment List.
Requires the DHS Inspector General to report to Congress within three years on the number of such requests, the gaps identified, approval rates, and processing times.

Legislative Activity

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8 earlier actions

SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

May 15, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 7, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Homeland Security Committee

March 7, 2019

HouseFloor

Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3755-3756)

May 14, 2019 • 4:08 PM

HouseFloor

Ms. Torres Small (NM) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

May 14, 2019 • 4:08 PM

HouseFloor

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1594.

May 14, 2019 • 4:08 PM

HouseFloor

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H3755)

May 14, 2019 • 4:14 PM

HouseFloor

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3755)

May 14, 2019 • 4:14 PM

HouseFloor

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

May 14, 2019 • 4:14 PM

SenateIntro Referral

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

May 15, 2019

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about H.R. 1594 on the floor

1 Republican1 Democrat

Rep. Xochitl Torres SmallD-NM-2 · May 14, 2019

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1594) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a process to review applications for certain grants to purchase…

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1594) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a process to review applications for certain grants to purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1594, the First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act.

Our Nation's first responders put their lives on the line to ensure all of us are safe. These brave women and men should have access to the equipment they need to protect lives and property around the country.

One of the Department of Homeland Security's most important missions is to help ensure the effectiveness of our Nation's emergency services sector. Key avenues for such support are the Department's counterterrorism grant programs: the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program.

Unfortunately, the grant guidance for these grant programs sometimes hinders first responders' ability to acquire innovative counterterrorism equipment. Today, each piece of equipment must meet or exceed national voluntary consensus standards.

Although FEMA will review requests to purchase equipment that does not meet consensus standards, the Committee on Homeland Security has learned from stakeholders that the process lacks uniformity, predictability, and transparency. The process for developing voluntary consensus standards for first responder equipment has not kept pace with the evolution of technology or the demands of first responders.

H.R. 1594 would direct FEMA to implement a standard process for reviewing applications to purchase equipment that do not meet consensus standards or for equipment not included on FEMA's authorized equipment list. H.R. 1594 seeks to ensure that the safety of our first responders remains a top priority.

As today's threats faced by first responders are constantly evolving, it is important that our technology evolve, too. Enactment of H.R. 1594 will help ensure first responders can do their job more safely and effectively.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, by passing this bill today, we can ensure first responders have a reliable and uniform process for acquiring technologies and equipment that will keep them and our communities safe. The House unanimously passed previous versions of this bill in the prior two Congresses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support me in passing this legislation today. As the gentleman from Pennsylvania said, they have our backs, we should have their backs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. John JoyceR-PA-13 · May 14, 2019

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1594, the First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act. With threats to our…

Bill Text

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Referred in SenateIssued May 15, 2019

IIB

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 1594

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 15, 2019

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

AN ACT

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish a process to review applications for certain grants to purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act.

2.

Approval of certain equipment

(a)

In general

Section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (f)—

(A)

by striking If an applicant and inserting the following:

(1)

Application requirement

If an applicant

; and

(B)

by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:

(2)

Review process

The Administrator shall implement a uniform process for reviewing applications that, in accordance with paragraph (1), contain explanations to use grants provided under section 2003 or 2004 to purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards developed under section 647 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (6 U.S.C. 747).

(3)

Factors

In carrying out the review process under paragraph (2), the Administrator shall consider the following:

(A)

Current or past use of proposed equipment or systems by Federal agencies or the Armed Forces.

(B)

The absence of a national voluntary consensus standard for such equipment or systems.

(C)

The existence of an international consensus standard for such equipment or systems, and whether such equipment or systems meets such standard.

(D)

The nature of the capability gap identified by the applicant and how such equipment or systems will address such gap.

(E)

The degree to which such equipment or systems will serve the needs of the applicant better than equipment or systems that meet or exceed existing consensus standards.

(F)

Any other factor determined appropriate by the Administrator.

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(g)

Review process

The Administrator shall implement a uniform process for reviewing applications to use grants provided under section 2003 or 2004 to purchase equipment or systems not included on the Authorized Equipment List maintained by the Administrator.

.

(b)

Inspector general report

Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report assessing the implementation of the review process established under paragraph (2) of subsection (f) of section 2008 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a) of this section), including information on the following:

(1)

The number of requests to purchase equipment or systems that do not meet or exceed any applicable consensus standard evaluated under such review process.

(2)

The capability gaps identified by applicants and the number of such requests granted or denied.

(3)

The processing time for the review of such requests.

Passed the House of Representatives May 14, 2019.

Cheryl L. Johnson,

Clerk