[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2239 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2239

    To establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness grant 
              information hotline, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 25, 2004

  Mrs. Boxer introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
           referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To establish a first responder and terrorism preparedness grant 
              information hotline, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``First Responders Homeland Defense 
Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Local government.--The term ``local government'' has 
        the meaning given that term under section 2 of the Homeland 
        Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101(10)).
            (2) Non-profit organization.--The term ``non-profit 
        organization'' means an organization described under section 
        501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
        taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Homeland Security.

SEC. 3. GRANT INFORMATION HOTLINE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a toll-free hotline 
through which local governments and non-profit organizations may obtain 
information regarding all Federal grant programs that make funds 
available for the assistance of first responders and for terrorism 
preparedness.
    (b) Information.--The information available through the hotline 
established under subsection (a) shall include the types of grants 
available, application procedures, and such other information as the 
Secretary determines necessary.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 4. FIRST RESPONDER GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to make grants, on a 
competitive basis, to non-profit organizations eligible under 
subsection (c), for the purpose of training and equipping first 
responders.
    (b) Application.--A non-profit organization may apply for a grant 
under subsection (a) by submitting an application to the Secretary, in 
such form and containing such information as prescribed by the 
Secretary.
    (c) Eligible Non-Profit Organizations.--Non-profit organizations 
that operate training programs for first responders in conjunction with 
a local agency shall be eligible to receive a grant under subsection 
(a).
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $50,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, to 
carry out this section.

SEC. 5. COMMUNICATION SYSTEM GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to make grants, on a 
competitive basis, to States, local governments, local law enforcement 
agencies, and local fire departments to assist in--
            (1) improving communication systems to allow for real-time, 
        interoperable communication between State and local first 
        responders; or
            (2) the purchase of communication systems that allow for 
        real-time, interoperable communication between such State and 
        local first responders.
    (b) Application.--Any State, local government, local law 
enforcement agency, or local fire department that desires to receive a 
grant under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the 
Secretary, in such form and containing such information as prescribed 
by the Secretary.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $300,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, to 
carry out this section.
                                 <all>