EMP planning, research and development, and protection and preparedness

(a)

In general

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121) is amended— (1)in section 2 (6 U.S.C. 101), by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:

(6a)

EMP

The term EMP means— (A)an electromagnetic pulse caused by intentional means, including acts of terrorism; and (B)a geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar storms or other naturally occurring phenomena.

;

(2)in title V (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.), by adding at the end the following:

526.

National planning scenarios and education

The Secretary shall, to the extent practicable— (1)include in national planning scenarios the threat of EMP events; and (2)conduct outreach to educate owners and operators of critical infrastructure, emergency planners, and emergency responders at all levels of government of the threat of EMP events.

;

(3)in title III (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), by adding at the end of the following:

318.

EMP research and development

(a)

In general

In furtherance of domestic preparedness and response, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, and in consultation with other relevant agencies and departments of the Federal Government and relevant owners and operators of critical infrastructure, shall, to the extent practicable, conduct research and development to mitigate the consequences of EMP events. (b)

Scope

The scope of the research and development under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1)An objective scientific analysis of the risks to critical infrastructures from a range of EMP events. (2)Determination of the critical national security assets and vital civic utilities and infrastructures that are at risk from EMP events. (3)An evaluation of emergency planning and response technologies that would address the findings and recommendations of experts, including those of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack. (4)An analysis of technology options that are available to improve the resiliency of critical infrastructure to EMP. (5)The restoration and recovery capabilities of critical infrastructure under differing levels of damage and disruption from various EMP events.

; and

(4)in section 201(d) (6 U.S.C. 121(d)), by adding at the end the following:

(26) (A)Prepare and submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate— (i)a recommended strategy to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the American homeland against EMP events, including from acts of terrorism; and (ii)biennial updates on the status of the recommended strategy. (B)The recommended strategy shall— (i)be based on findings of the research and development conducted under section 318; (ii)be developed in consultation with the relevant Federal sector-specific agencies (as defined under Homeland Security Presidential Directive–7) for critical infrastructures; (iii)be developed in consultation with the relevant sector coordinating councils for critical infrastructures; and (iv)include a classified annex as needed. (C)The Secretary may, if appropriate, incorporate the recommended strategy into a broader recommendation developed by the Department to help protect and prepare critical infrastructure from terrorism and other threats if, as incorporated, the strategy complies with subparagraph (B).

(b)

Clerical amendments

The table of contents in section 1(b) of such Act is amended— (1)by adding at the end of the items relating to title V the following:

Sec. 526. National planning scenarios and education.

;

and

(2)by adding at the end of the items relating to title III the following:

Sec. 318. EMP research and development.

(c)

Deadline for recommended strategy

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit the recommended strategy required under the amendment made by subsection (a)(4) by not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d)

Report

The Secretary shall submit a report to Congress by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act describing the progress made in, and an estimated date by which the Department of Homeland Security will have completed— (1)including EMP (as defined in the amendment made by subsection (a)(1)) threats in national planning scenarios; (2)research and development described in the amendment made by subsection (a)(3); (3)development of the comprehensive plan required under the amendment made by subsection (a)(4); and (4)outreach to educate owners and operators of critical infrastructure, emergency planners and emergency responders at all levels of government regarding the threat of EMP events.