109 HR 6349 IH: To establish within the Department of Homeland Security
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-12-05
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.
(a)This Act may be cited as the 21st Century Emergency
Communications Act of 2006
.
(b)The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following new title:
<enum>XVIII</enum><header>EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS</header>
<section id="H60F10BAFE8C947DEA9F0202966BC36F"><enum>1801.</enum><header>Office of
Emergency Communications</header>
<subsection id="HDE40F26514284665A2DEEB6ED97EA139"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>There is established in the Department an Office of
Emergency Communications.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9A0D9A31D1E44E618F391C8F68BEEC21"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Director</header><text>The
head of the office shall be the Director for Emergency Communications. The
Director shall report to the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and
Communications.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H95DD7CF35CAF45DBBE58CCEFF3784045"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The
Director for Emergency Communications shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H437EDD8B8A714120849F743B49BA29A9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>assist the
Secretary in developing and implementing the program described in section
7303(a)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6
U.S.C. 194(a)(1)), except as provided in section 314;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE12850200297482A96C49003EB8FEDDF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>administer the
Department’s responsibilities and authorities relating to the SAFECOM Program,
excluding elements related to research, development, testing, and evaluation
and standards;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H41806CF3D596416A90D81C3DF232A48E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>administer the
Department’s responsibilities and authorities relating to the Integrated
Wireless Network program;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H7FC6F58D0DCE4094A76E984EB95D13C5"><enum>(4)</enum><text>conduct extensive,
nationwide outreach to support and promote the ability of emergency response
providers and relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the
event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H881B091841794B7B9B2D4FCF529CC913"><enum>(5)</enum><text>conduct extensive,
nationwide outreach and foster the development of interoperable emergency
communications capabilities by State, regional, local, and tribal governments
and public safety agencies, and by regional consortia thereof;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9D045FF17FCD4A5AAFDC07B280843919"><enum>(6)</enum><text>provide technical
assistance to State, regional, local, and tribal government officials with
respect to use of interoperable emergency communications capabilities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H452884E596AC4DBF8CC43297C3820820"><enum>(7)</enum><text>coordinate with
the Regional Administrators regarding the activities of Regional Emergency
Communications Coordination Working Groups under section 1805;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD04EE77B517E4111B83D3CA200140088"><enum>(8)</enum><text>promote the
development of standard operating procedures and best practices with respect to
use of interoperable emergency communications capabilities for incident
response, and facilitate the sharing of information on such best practices for
achieving, maintaining, and enhancing interoperable emergency communications
capabilities for such response;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9F7D081623094B89B5CC5D6960E2D637"><enum>(9)</enum><text>coordinate, in
cooperation with the National Communications System, the establishment of a
national response capability with initial and ongoing planning, implementation,
and training for the deployment of communications equipment for relevant State,
local, and tribal governments and emergency response providers in the event of
a catastrophic loss of local and regional emergency communications
services;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3EAB42ADEA984AD68BEF3499EFCA942"><enum>(10)</enum><text>assist the
President, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council, and
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in ensuring the continued
operation of the telecommunications functions and responsibilities of the
Federal Government, excluding spectrum management;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H08E8455920D740CC82FF102EC8C8EF65"><enum>(11)</enum><text>establish, in
coordination with the Director of the Office for Interoperability and
Compatibility, requirements for interoperable emergency communications
capabilities, which shall be nonproprietary where standards for such
capabilities exist, for all public safety radio and data communications systems
and equipment purchased using homeland security assistance administered by the
Department, excluding any alert and warning device, technology, or
system;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H22147050F53E4AD0A0D1DE32B9330957"><enum>(12)</enum><text>review, in
consultation with the Assistant Secretary for Grants and Training, all
interoperable emergency communications plans of Federal, State, local, and
tribal governments, including Statewide and tactical interoperability plans,
developed pursuant to homeland security assistance administered by the
Department, but excluding spectrum allocation and management related to such
plans;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD0E233633F9A479200E98EE400832369"><enum>(13)</enum><text>develop and
update periodically, as appropriate, a National Emergency Communications Plan
under section 1802;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE939397FAE404350AF882802C2E4721"><enum>(14)</enum><text>perform such other
duties of the Department necessary to support and promote the ability of
emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
man-made disasters; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAEF6211FFBB64A3B8F7B3C5FE44260A4"><enum>(15)</enum><text>perform other
duties of the Department necessary to achieve the goal of and maintain and
enhance interoperable emergency communications capabilities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDC4A725B7F3241A58DAA60ED8B852CA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Performance of
Previously Transferred Functions</header><text>The Secretary shall transfer to,
and administer through, the Director for Emergency Communications the following
programs and responsibilities:</text>
<paragraph id="H68AA489192494695BD716CF298F27894"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The SAFECOM
Program, excluding elements related to research, development, testing, and
evaluation and standards.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6208C786AD514CD195A7F8E25049E67C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The
responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer related to the implementation
of the Integrated Wireless Network.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4836D32CEBB54FDA86037DBDE1039D9E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Interoperable
Communications Technical Assistance Program.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7F0F96964B4C4E66B2CA879B557EF327"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>The
Director for Emergency Communications shall coordinate—</text>
<paragraph id="H209D7019580346E4A300008390FF8BE5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>as appropriate,
with the Director of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility with
respect to the responsibilities described in section 314; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBA5269527FE24D76A2FC5378A75656E5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>with the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency with respect to the
responsibilities described in this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1CE84AE9CCA44CEF8ECED1DBAB74E5A2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Sufficiency of
Resources Plan</header>
<paragraph id="HD655A6B12A4242F5B9F3433F8BDF454"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary
shall submit to Congress a report on the resources and staff necessary to carry
out fully the responsibilities under this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4501408C482246F1B74F2C51CF9EBFE7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Comptroller
general review</header><text>The Comptroller General shall review the validity
of the report submitted by the Secretary under paragraph (1). Not later than 60
days after the date on which such report is submitted, the Comptroller General
shall submit to Congress a report containing the findings of such
review.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HA6E013DADE34438F9E8218ECA98F33E7"><enum>1802.</enum><header>National
Emergency Communications Plan</header>
<subsection id="HB91CF290888843E59DA3833C85A91C83"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Director for Emergency
Communications, and in cooperation with the Department of National
Communications System (as appropriate), shall, in cooperation with State,
local, and tribal governments, Federal departments and agencies, emergency
response providers, and the private sector, develop not later than 180 days
after the completion of the baseline assessment under section 1803, and
periodically update, a National Emergency Communications Plan to provide
recommendations regarding how the United States should—</text>
<paragraph id="HF7AE92C7545C4284863F95346B9D96FE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>support and
promote the ability of emergency response providers and relevant government
officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of
terrorism, and other man-made disasters; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H532CC9A9881149BDA232CF8752353F7E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>ensure,
accelerate, and attain interoperable emergency communications
nationwide.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H519919A27F30483BBD26618964FA67CC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>The
Emergency Communications Preparedness Center under section 1806 shall
coordinate the development of the Federal aspects of the National Emergency
Communications Plan.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H2B676EA479994488B8EA93F682463F1B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>The
National Emergency Communications Plan shall—</text>
<paragraph id="HBD97B99AFADB4BB89F6EF38C8076A3E8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>include
recommendations developed in consultation with the Federal Communications
Commission and the National Institute of Standards and Technology for a process
for expediting national voluntary consensus standards for emergency
communications equipment for the purchase and use by public safety agencies of
interoperable emergency communications equipment and technologies;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HBFA23457FBAD4FCD84788E833712ED9E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identify the
appropriate capabilities necessary for emergency response providers and
relevant government officials to continue to communicate in the event of
natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE32D96A3CBC84C3BAB27B9E73548D6C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>identify the
appropriate interoperable emergency communications capabilities necessary for
Federal, State, local, and tribal governments in the event of natural
disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD45FBDB42C144EE0A5E953F800606F07"><enum>(4)</enum><text>recommend both
short-term and long-term solutions for ensuring that emergency response
providers and relevant government officials can continue to communicate in the
event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0E5BAE1933504B5E8D60656B39E6F4FF"><enum>(5)</enum><text>recommend both
short-term and long-term solutions for deploying interoperable emergency
communications systems for Federal, State, local, and tribal governments
throughout the Nation, including through the provision of existing and emerging
technologies;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD37E2C5305004AABB5002DC76F63FFE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>identify how
Federal departments and agencies that respond to natural disasters, acts of
terrorism, and other man-made disasters can work effectively with State, local,
and tribal governments, in all States, and with other entities;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6E69925F345C4768BE799392D3FF993E"><enum>(7)</enum><text>identify obstacles
to deploying interoperable emergency communications capabilities nationwide and
recommend short-term and long-term measures to overcome those obstacles,
including recommendations for multijurisdictional coordination among Federal,
State, local, and tribal governments;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDF943C2B577F4B29B237367B9190E5A7"><enum>(8)</enum><text>recommend goals
and timeframes for the deployment of emergency, command-level communications
systems based on new and existing equipment across the United States and
develop a timetable for the deployment of interoperable emergency
communications systems nationwide; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H552B6A8FE8474C2A9E4DF71C91FC85A9"><enum>(9)</enum><text>recommend
appropriate measures that emergency response providers should employ to ensure
the continued operation of relevant governmental communications infrastructure
in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made
disasters.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H0EA517947EF647F9B0358E1B310400E6"><enum>1803.</enum><header>Assessments
and reports</header>
<subsection id="H58EB71417F1B4683A136BD3632492824"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Baseline
Assessment</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this section and not less than every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, acting
through the Director for Emergency Communications, shall conduct an assessment
of Federal, State, local, and tribal governments that—</text>
<paragraph id="HB7858F1BEE604DB3918399EE7EC1FD03"><enum>(1)</enum><text>defines the range
of capabilities needed by emergency response providers and relevant government
officials to continue to communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of
terrorism, and other man-made disasters;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H72F98BA2106F49599BBBE1C00D9F5E8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>defines the range
of interoperable emergency communications capabilities needed for specific
events;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAE5C265C52814C339E6D060877E0E823"><enum>(3)</enum><text>assesses the
current available capabilities to meet such communications needs;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H33DFD1B4A16B4519A8A65E7E0416AC9E"><enum>(4)</enum><text>identifies the gap
between such current capabilities and defined requirements; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF548C26992154F158B406CB0C5005926"><enum>(5)</enum><text>includes a
national interoperable emergency communications inventory to be completed by
the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Chairman
of the Federal Communications Commission that—</text>
<subparagraph id="H070D83044AA2434EACEB485ECF446919"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identifies for
each Federal department and agency—</text>
<clause id="H3EE1A147CC4A4B15BAC29D4193628777"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the channels and
frequencies used;</text>
</clause><clause id="H2FB89538C1B34BB8B99FF6D6D64CE9D2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the nomenclature
used to refer to each channel or frequency used; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H5E2280AE4B8440FD8BC7DE5D2E093790"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the types of
communications systems and equipment used; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7402E07C984545C5BD39C2147900E84"><enum>(B)</enum><text>identifies the
interoperable emergency communications systems in use by public safety agencies
in the United States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H971383ED3D8E4413BB842FFDE7202500"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Classified
Annex</header><text>The baseline assessment under this section may include a
classified annex including information provided under subsection
(a)(5)(A).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H6C50222A910B42EAA4E0B952E1B9C76F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Savings
Clause</header><text>In conducting the baseline assessment under this section,
the Secretary may incorporate findings from assessments conducted before, or
ongoing on, the date of enactment of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H02EA032E8C6E488299359390AEC037BA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Progress
Reports</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this section and biennially thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the
Director for Emergency Communications, shall submit to Congress a report on the
progress of the Department in achieving the goals of, and carrying out its
responsibilities under, this title, including—</text>
<paragraph id="HFEA0ED45B8F84EF3AD46A3704446F359"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a description of
the findings of the most recent baseline assessment conducted under subsection
(a);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1E55819081DF460590A2AC51A70030F2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a determination of
the degree to which interoperable emergency communications capabilities have
been attained to date and the gaps that remain for interoperability to be
achieved;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDF026F7902B146A5BFB331954BD933D1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>an evaluation of
the ability to continue to communicate and to provide and maintain
interoperable emergency communications by emergency managers, emergency
response providers, and relevant government officials in the event of—</text>
<subparagraph id="H8B0A38A52F154D93AFC984B03A48282"><enum>(A)</enum><text>natural disasters,
acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters, including Incidents of National
Significance declared by the Secretary under the National Response Plan;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9D7DD9DE16804AFB848598742920191B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a catastrophic
loss of local and regional communications services;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3060529CC2364DE899FBAB510964CE85"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a list of best
practices relating to the ability to continue to communicate and to provide and
maintain interoperable emergency communications in the event of natural
disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFC4171119DE843FEA65BE19ADE9259DD"><enum>(5)</enum><text>an evaluation of
the feasibility and desirability of the Department developing, on its own or in
conjunction with the Department of Defense, a mobile communications capability,
modeled on the Army Signal Corps, that could be deployed to support emergency
communications at the site of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other
man-made disasters.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HD77DE1D670364FA1AB797FE9FA45B1E0"><enum>1804.</enum><header>Coordination
of Department Emergency Communications grant programs</header>
<subsection id="H30ABA6AC755B45648B992CFE3D00EA08"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Coordination of
Grants and Standards Programs</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the
Director for Emergency Communications, shall ensure that grant guidelines for
the use of homeland security assistance administered by the Department relating
to interoperable emergency communications are coordinated and consistent with
the goals and recommendations in the National Emergency Communications Plan
under section 1802.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H074BA00177054C809F8C3D8BEDCE4DDC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Denial of
Eligibility for Grants</header>
<paragraph id="HA56607957E6B44018960A151AF229933"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for
Grants and Planning, and in consultation with the Director for Emergency
Communications, may prohibit any State, local, or tribal government from using
homeland security assistance administered by the Department to achieve,
maintain, or enhance emergency communications capabilities, if—</text>
<subparagraph id="HF6882E71096C42DFAD8508BF7DE9A422"><enum>(A)</enum><text>such government
has not complied with the requirement to submit a Statewide Interoperable
Communications Plan as required by section 7303(f) of the Intelligence Reform
and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/6/194">6 U.S.C. 194(f)</external-xref>);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2D50B73ACE5E448484E9374273DF5258"><enum>(B)</enum><text>such government
has proposed to upgrade or purchase new equipment or systems that do not meet
or exceed any applicable national voluntary consensus standards and has not
provided a reasonable explanation of why such equipment or systems will serve
the needs of the applicant better than equipment or systems that meet or exceed
such standards; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6421AA6151704D5C8400BA80D135ACFA"><enum>(C)</enum><text>as of the date
that is 3 years after the date of the completion of the initial National
Emergency Communications Plan under section 1802, national voluntary consensus
standards for interoperable emergency communications capabilities have not been
developed and promulgated.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H83830AE79EC245208CCA37563E05D090"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Standards</header><text>The
Secretary, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, and other Federal departments
and agencies with responsibility for standards, shall support the development,
promulgation, and updating as necessary of national voluntary consensus
standards for interoperable emergency communications.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H4318E688972B44BDA779D2B6DA7C98C7"><enum>1805.</enum><header>Regional
Emergency Communications coordination</header>
<subsection id="H1EEDE70AF1124F6B9B4E7808CC26D51D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>There is established in each Regional Office a Regional
Emergency Communications Coordination Working Group (in this section referred
to as an <quote>RECC Working Group</quote>). Each RECC Working Group shall
report to the relevant Regional Administrator and coordinate its activities
with the relevant Regional Advisory Council.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4C5AF275F5F347539E21E7BD00001664"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>Each
RECC Working Group shall consist of the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H3283C6D6712845D600D358579C2D148E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Non-federal</header><text>Organizations
representing the interests of the following:</text>
<subparagraph id="HB80E363B258F4E7BA09398EFBDE6FAAF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>State
officials.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H60683E8E148843568030C236F94E78F3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Local government
officials, including sheriffs.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE45BB6E7CD84448F8CEC00ED23BE075F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>State police
departments.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC2A80861DDBD409F9C07B8BEDE2D659"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Local police
departments.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H238D2F234F804555926F28956C9B4891"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Local fire
departments.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1BBAF666A4FE45288845515008E086A"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Public safety
answering points (9–1–1 services).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3F7DA01080DF41F58FBEA5688ECA0058"><enum>(G)</enum><text>State emergency
managers, homeland security directors, or representatives of State
Administrative Agencies.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H71FC321F8C61494D9D44B94EA60015E7"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Local emergency
managers or homeland security directors.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9E845AECBA8C472FBE5DC2BB144CDCAE"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Other emergency
response providers as appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4F53DCCEE0544B34B1E538EA6455F66"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal</header><text>Representatives
from the Department, the Federal Communications Commission, and other Federal
departments and agencies with responsibility for coordinating interoperable
emergency communications with or providing emergency support services to State,
local, and tribal governments.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H3E0F02044C0B48D8BFF1DD4CB0A2CCCF"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>Each
RECC Working Group shall coordinate its activities with the following:</text>
<paragraph id="H02ED63E2B8C84F92AF89AC4F011EE488"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Communications
equipment manufacturers and vendors (including broadband data service
providers).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H36879B3FB9B04674BC844BAD5928E882"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Local exchange
carriers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H367E96708AA84D89A2458270969861AC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Local broadcast
media.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2B613423D859470BA795824E1F99BFEA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Wireless
carriers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0C48A8EDC4CE4C3CA587C61F0031F8D8"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Satellite
communications services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE8A59B34D91E44E0915BA4991E644510"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Cable
operators.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H236CB27956564B4383ABE5CCA709AC4B"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Hospitals.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H98BC741CB2FB4AC7990300662F567500"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Public utility
services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB1E0370E13F347C18E9BB826013CB2F5"><enum>(9)</enum><text>Emergency
evacuation transit services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1C704A320EF74E1586D62CC8B1F6891"><enum>(10)</enum><text>Ambulance
services.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDB0BF842B4A04E6DBFE758A4EB43887"><enum>(11)</enum><text>HAM and amateur
radio operators.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB846EEA613414ED3B5416B1B3E9200A1"><enum>(12)</enum><text>Representatives
from other private sector entities and nongovernmental organizations as the
Regional Administrator determines appropriate.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA82CD7751D144331BFBCC727ACAED850"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The
duties of each RECC Working Group shall include—</text>
<paragraph id="H6C97FC6B134B4C9D94F436D0D449B4BA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>assessing the
survivability, sustainability, and interoperability of local emergency
communications systems to meet the goals of the National Emergency
Communications Plan;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1C3F723AA26D4682BDAB00FDCCABE327"><enum>(2)</enum><text>reporting annually
to the relevant Regional Administrator, the Director for Emergency
Communications, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and the
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information of the Department of
Commerce on the status of its region in building robust and sustainable
interoperable voice and data emergency communications networks and, not later
than 60 days after the completion of the initial National Emergency
Communications Plan under section 1802, on the progress of the region in
meeting the goals of such plan;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H38C02642EEC746879649DA8E87A2C108"><enum>(3)</enum><text>ensuring a process
for the coordination of effective multijurisdictional, multi-agency emergency
communications networks for use during natural disasters, acts of terrorism,
and other man-made disasters through the expanded use of emergency management
and public safety communications mutual aid agreements; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFC6A298110634A4EB416CF5BD8B35400"><enum>(4)</enum><text>coordinating the
establishment of Federal, State, local, and tribal support services and
networks designed to address the immediate and critical human needs in
responding to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H1C96EAB86F5F42E383F47BE228027B3C"><enum>1806.</enum><header>Emergency
Communications Preparedness Center</header>
<subsection id="H56B24B3D08AC4BBC84A3E1B4E11D824E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center (in this
section referred to as the <quote>Center</quote>).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H88D32B30A8A44BD0B100F68CD944839F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Operation</header><text>The
Secretary, the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, the Secretary
of Defense, the Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney General of the United
States, and the heads of other Federal departments and agencies or their
designees shall jointly operate the Center in accordance with the Memorandum of
Understanding entitled, <quote>Emergency Communications Preparedness Center
(ECPC) Charter</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H28BE72CF6AFE48488BDA39A19091BFC9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Functions</header><text>The
Center shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H9EDA5C83F9A94D3B9400EC23851C0879"><enum>(1)</enum><text>serve as the focal
point for interagency efforts and as a clearinghouse with respect to all
relevant intergovernmental information to support and promote (including
specifically by working to avoid duplication, hindrances, and counteractive
efforts among the participating Federal departments and agencies)—</text>
<subparagraph id="H16F24CEB0A19403CA83CE7E1E5202D18"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the ability of
emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
man-made disasters; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H25103A8016B042A08011D670FA9B1F7F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>interoperable
emergency communications;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H67E112F6C4AA42CEA9E328FC495101BA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>prepare and submit
to Congress, on an annual basis, a strategic assessment regarding the
coordination efforts of Federal departments and agencies to advance—</text>
<subparagraph id="H77000954E1AC4C388C19BD059F03D9D2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the ability of
emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
man-made disasters; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA38B9B4500CB4BDC8FA9CA5120306B00"><enum>(B)</enum><text>interoperable
emergency communications;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA21049FCAA6E4C7BA19BE0B59FE059C9"><enum>(3)</enum><text>consider, in
preparing the strategic assessment under paragraph (2), the goals stated in the
National Emergency Communications Plan under section 1802; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H82019840DFCA4E2C91A74C16CD376DB"><enum>(4)</enum><text>perform such other
functions as are provided in the Emergency Communications Preparedness Center
(ECPC) Charter described in subsection (b)(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H9DC08C94D0A34F00B1BCDAB5AD19F321"><enum>1807.</enum><header>Urban and
other high risk area communications capabilities</header>
<subsection id="H5163D1D464E14E6AA82CDF38503F28B4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text>The Secretary, in consultation with the Chairman of the
Federal Communications Commission and the Secretary of Defense, and with
appropriate State, local, and tribal government officials, shall provide
technical guidance, training, and other assistance, as appropriate, to support
the rapid establishment of consistent, secure, and effective interoperable
emergency communications capabilities in the event of an emergency in urban and
other areas determined by the Secretary to be at consistently high levels of
risk from natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H9910A045CECD498BAE33A13B0B00061"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Minimum
Capabilities</header><text>The interoperable emergency communications
capabilities established under subsection (a) shall ensure the ability of all
levels of government, emergency response providers, the private sector, and
other organizations with emergency response capabilities—</text>
<paragraph id="H95FD638D6A7A4FFD9D57BB01BD4FFAD2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to communicate
with each other in the event of an emergency;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAA4D9A1F1DBC4D96B4F000E851AF2800"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to have
appropriate and timely access to the Information Sharing Environment described
in section 1016 of the National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 (6
U.S.C. 321); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H63657C10C79A4FCF9329CF43F257F500"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to be consistent
with any applicable State or Urban Area homeland strategy or plan.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H61708D5F5536453CB65C3D27978D4CF7"><enum>1808.</enum><header>Definition</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title, the term
<term>interoperable</term> has the meaning given the term <term>interoperable
communications</term> under section 7303(g)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6 U.S.C.
194(g)(1)).</text>
</section>.
(c)The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
TITLE XVIII—EMERGENCY
COMMUNICATIONS
Sec. 1801. Office for Emergency
Communications.
Sec. 1802. National Emergency
Communications Plan.
Sec. 1803. Assessments and
reports.
Sec. 1804. Coordination of Federal
emergency communications grant programs.
Sec. 1805. Regional emergency
communications coordination.
Sec. 1806. Emergency Communications
Preparedness Center.
Sec. 1807. Urban and other high risk area
communications capabilities.
Sec. 1808.
Definition.
.
2.Office for
Interoperability and Compatibility
(a)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:
314.Office for
Interoperability and Compatibility
(a)Clarification of
ResponsibilitiesThe Director of the Office for Interoperability
and Compatibility shall—
(1)assist the
Secretary in developing and implementing the science and technology aspects of
the program described in subparagraphs (D), (E), (F), and (G) of section
7303(a)(1) of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (6
U.S.C. 194(a)(1));
(2)in coordination
with the Federal Communications Commission, the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, and other Federal departments and agencies with responsibility
for standards, support the creation of national voluntary consensus standards
for interoperable emergency communications;
(3)establish a
comprehensive research, development, testing, and evaluation program for
improving interoperable emergency communications;
(4)establish, in
coordination with the Director for Emergency Communications, requirements for
interoperable emergency communications capabilities, which shall be
nonproprietary where standards for such capabilities exist, for all public
safety radio and data communications systems and equipment purchased using
homeland security assistance administered by the Department, excluding any
alert and warning device, technology, or system;
(5)carry out the
Department’s responsibilities and authorities relating to research,
development, testing, evaluation, or standards-related elements of the SAFECOM
Program;
(6)evaluate and
assess new technology in real-world environments to achieve interoperable
emergency communications capabilities;
(7)encourage more
efficient use of existing resources, including equipment, to achieve
interoperable emergency communications capabilities;
(8)test public safety
communications systems that are less prone to failure, support new nonvoice
services, use spectrum more efficiently, and cost less than existing
systems;
(9)coordinate with
the private sector to develop solutions to improve emergency communications
capabilities and achieve interoperable emergency communications capabilities;
and
(10)conduct pilot
projects, in coordination with the Director for Emergency Communications, to
test and demonstrate technologies, including data and video, that
enhance—
(A)the ability of
emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
man-made disasters; and
(B)interoperable
emergency communications capabilities.
(b)The
Director of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility shall coordinate
with the Director for Emergency Communications with respect to the SAFECOM
program.
(c)The Secretary shall provide the Office for
Interoperability and Compatibility the resources and staff necessary to carry
out the responsibilities under this
section.
.
(b)The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 313 the following:
Sec. 314. Office for Interoperability and
Compatibility.
.
3.Emergency
Communications interoperability research and development
(a)Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C.
181 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
315.Emergency
Communications interoperability research and development
(a)The Under Secretary for Science and Technology, acting
through the Director of the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility,
shall establish a comprehensive research and development program to support and
promote—
(1)the ability of
emergency response providers and relevant government officials to continue to
communicate in the event of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other
man-made disasters; and
(2)interoperable
emergency communications capabilities among emergency response providers and
relevant government officials, including by—
(A)supporting
research on a competitive basis, including through the Directorate of Science
and Technology and Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency;
and
(B)considering the
establishment of a Center of Excellence under the Department of Homeland
Security Centers of Excellence Program focused on improving emergency response
providers’ communication capabilities.
(b)The
purposes of the program established under subsection (a) include—
(1)supporting
research, development, testing, and evaluation on emergency communication
capabilities;
(2)understanding the
strengths and weaknesses of the public safety communications systems in
use;
(3)examining how
current and emerging technology can make emergency response providers more
effective, and how Federal, State, local, and tribal government agencies can
use this technology in a coherent and cost-effective manner;
(4)investigating
technologies that could lead to long-term advancements in emergency
communications capabilities and supporting research on advanced technologies
and potential systemic changes to dramatically improve emergency
communications; and
(5)evaluating and
validating advanced technology concepts, and facilitating the development and
deployment of interoperable emergency communication capabilities.
(c)For
purposes of this section, the term interoperable, with respect to
emergency communications, has the meaning given the term in section
1808.
.
(b)The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the
item relating to section 314, as added by this Act, the following:
Sec. 315. Emergency communications
interoperability research and
development.
.
4.911 and E911
services reportNot later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission shall submit a report to Congress on the status of
efforts of State, local, and tribal governments to develop plans for rerouting
911 and E911 services in the event that public safety answering points are
disabled during natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made
disasters.
5.Nothing in this Act
shall be construed to transfer to the Office of Emergency Communications any
function, personnel, asset, component, authority, grant program, or liability
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency as constituted on June 1,
2006.