HR 3916 IH
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3916
To provide for the next generation of border and maritime security technologies.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 22, 2007
Mr. HALL of Texas (for himself, Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland, Mr. BILBRAY, Mr. BROUN of Georgia, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. CONAWAY, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. GINGREY, Mr. GORDON of Tennessee, Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina, Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. MCCAUL of Texas, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. NEUGEBAUER, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. SMITH of Nebraska, Mr. WU, Mrs. BIGGERT, and Mr. LAMPSON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide for the next generation of border and maritime security technologies.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ENSURING RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INCLUDE APPROPRIATE CONCEPTS OF OPERATION.
The Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (in this Act referred to as the `Under Secretary') shall ensure that any Federal Government interagency or intra-agency agreement to develop and transition new technology explicitly characterizes the requirements, expected use, and concept of operations for that technology, including--
(1) the manpower needed to effectively operate the technology;
(2) the expected training requirements; and
(3) the expected operations and maintenance costs.
SEC. 2. REAUTHORIZATION OF HOMELAND SECURITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Section 311(j) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 191(j)) is amended by striking `on December 31, 2008' and inserting `on December 31, 2012'.
SEC. 3. REPORT ON BASIC RESEARCH NEEDS FOR BORDER/MARITIME SECURITY.
Not later than 3 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National Research Council for an assessment of the basic science research needs in the border and maritime security domain. The assessment shall include consideration of--
(1) detection, tracking, and identification technologies;
(2) personal protective equipment;
(3) anticounterfeit technologies; and
(4) advanced screening technologies at ports of entry.
SEC. 4. INCORPORATING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES INTO BORDER/MARITIME AIRSPACE.
(a) Research and Development- The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Joint Planning and Development Office shall research and develop technologies to permit routine operation of unmanned aerial vehicles within the national airspace for border and maritime security missions without any degradation of existing levels of safety for all national airspace system users.
(b) Pilot Projects- The Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to enter into pilot projects in sparsely populated, low-density Class G air traffic airspace to conduct experiments and collect data in order to accelerate the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system.
SEC. 5. ESTABLISHING A RESEARCH PROGRAM IN TUNNEL DETECTION.
(a) Research and Development- The Under Secretary shall research and develop technologies to permit detection of near surface voids, such as tunnels, with an emphasis on technologies with real time capability.
(b) Coordination- The Secretary of Homeland Security shall coordinate with other appropriate Federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, and ensure the integration of activities under subsection (a) with relevant efforts of such other agencies and the Department of Homeland Security's Centers of Excellence Program.
SEC. 6. RESEARCH IN ANTICOUNTERFEIT TECHNOLOGIES.
(a) Establishment of Program- The Under Secretary and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall establish a joint research and development program on anticounterfeit technologies and standards. The program may include development of counterfeit-resistant documentation, counterfeit-resistant devices, document validation technologies, and document identification standards.
(b) Coordination- In carrying out the program in subsection (a), the Under Secretary or his designee shall coordinate with other Federal agencies engaged in similar activities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice.
(c) Report to Congress- Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall provide to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate, a report detailing the actions taken by the Under Secretary and the Director under this section.
U.S. Congress - Text of H.R.3916 as Introduced in House Border Security Technology Innovation Act of 2008
