H.R. 542 – Reading Mode

Calendar No. 577

116th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 542

[Report No. 116–285]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 11, 2019

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

November 9, 2020

Reported by Mr. Johnson, with an amendment

Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic

AN ACT

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act.

National Urban Security Technology Laboratory

(a)

In general

Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

321.

National Urban Security Technology Laboratory

(a)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, shall designate the laboratory described in subsection (b) as an additional laboratory pursuant to the authority under section 308(c)(2). Such laboratory shall be used to test and evaluate emerging technologies and conduct research and development to assist emergency response providers in preparing for, and protecting against, threats of terrorism.

(b)

Laboratory described

The laboratory described in this subsection is the laboratory—

(1)

known, as of the date of the enactment of this section, as the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory;

(2)

previously known as the Environmental Measurements Laboratory; and

(3)

transferred to the Department pursuant to section 303(1)(E).

(c)

Laboratory activities

The laboratory designated pursuant to subsection (a), shall—

(1)

conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of current and emerging technologies, including, as appropriate, cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the internet, for emergency response providers;

(2)

conduct research and development on radiological and nuclear response and recovery;

(3)

act as a technical advisor to emergency response providers; and

(4)

carry out other such activities as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 320 the following new item:

321. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act.

National Urban Security Technology Laboratory

(a)

In general

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:

321.

National Urban Security Technology Laboratory

(a)

In general

(b)

Laboratory described

The laboratory described in this subsection is the laboratory—

(1)

known, as of the date of the enactment of this section, as the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory;

(2)

previously known as the Environmental Measurements Laboratory; and

(3)

transferred to the Department pursuant to section 303(1)(E).

(c)

Laboratory activities

The laboratory designated pursuant to subsection (a) shall—

(1)

conduct tests, evaluations, and assessments of current and emerging technologies, including, as appropriate, the cybersecurity of such technologies that can connect to the internet, for emergency response providers;

(2)

notwithstanding the amendments made by section 501(b)(2) of the SAFE Port Act (Public Law 109–347; 120 Stat. 1935), conduct research and development on radiological and nuclear response and recovery;

(3)

act as a technical advisor to emergency response providers; and

(4)

carry out other such activities as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(b)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–296) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 320 the following:

Sec. 321. National Urban Security Technology Laboratory.

November 9, 2020

Reported with an amendment