H.R. 3224

Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023

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IIB

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3224

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

December 12, 2023

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 extend the authorization of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023.

2.

Extension of authorization of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security

(a)

Extension

(1)

Termination date

Section 1901 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 591) is amended by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following new subsection:

(e)

Termination

The Office shall terminate on the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Extension Act of 2023.

.

(2)

Exception

The termination date specified in subsection (e) of section 1901 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by paragraph (1), shall not apply to sections 1931 and 1932 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 597 and 597a; relating to the Chief Medical Officer and the medical countermeasures program of the Department of Homeland Security).

(b)

Organizational accountability

(1)

Employee morale

Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit a report to and brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding an employee engagement action plan and strategy to continuously improve morale within the Office.

(2)

Comptroller General

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a review of and brief the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding the following with respect to the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office of the Department of Homeland Security:

(A)

The efforts of the Office to prioritize the programs and activities that carry out the mission of the Office, including research and development.

(B)

The consistency and effectiveness of the Office’s stakeholder coordination across the mission of the Department, including operational and support components of the Department and State and local entities.

(C)

The efforts of the Office to manage and coordinate the lifecycle of research and development within the Office and with other components of the Department, including the Science and Technology Directorate.

Passed the House of Representatives December 11, 2023.

Kevin F. McCumber,

Clerk.