Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Personnel Reimbursement for Intelligence Cooperation and Enhancement of Homeland Security Act

or the

PRICE of Homeland Security Act

Findings

The Congress finds as follows: (1)After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, State, local, and tribal governments redoubled their efforts to combat terrorism and expended tremendous energy and financial resources to help the Federal Government fight the terrorist threat. (2)States and localities have formed fusion centers, hired intelligence analysts, and contributed a significant amount of resources to the expansion of Federal homeland security efforts. (3)These actions, in conjunction with the efforts of the Federal Government and private industry, have materially contributed to the common defense of this Nation and have helped keep our homeland secure. (4)The National Strategy for Information Sharing issued by the President in October 2007 plainly states that The Federal Government may need to provide financial and technical assistance, as well as human resource support, to these fusion centers if they are to achieve and sustain a baseline level of capability. The objective is to assist State and local governments in the establishment and the sustained operation of these fusion centers. A sustained Federal partnership with State and major urban area fusion centers is critical to the safety of our Nation, and therefore a national priority.. (5)The Federal Government has endeavored to support these State efforts through the State Homeland Security Grant Program and other methods of Federal assistance but have placed restrictions on the use of these funds that make long-term planning for fusion centers unmanageable. (6)It is vital to the security of our homeland that States and localities are able to continue to receive funding for the participation of State and local analysts in fusion centers and in their State and local efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist-related activities.

Grant eligibility for analysts

Section 2008(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609(a)) is amended— (1)in the matter preceding paragraph (1) by striking Grants and all that follows through plans, through and inserting the following: The Administrator shall permit grant recipients under section 2003 or 2004 to use grant funds to achieve and sustain target capabilities related to preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to acts of terrorism, consistent with a State homeland security plan and relevant local, tribal, and regional homeland security plans, through; and (2)in paragraph (10) by inserting the following after analysts: regardless of whether such analysts are current or new full-time employees or contract employees and such funding shall be made available without time limitations placed on the period of time that such analyst can serve under awarded grants..

Use of funds for personnel and operational costs

Section 2008(b)(2) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609(b)(2)) is amended by striking so much as precedes subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:

(2)

Personnel and operational costs

(A)

In general

The recipient of a grant under section 2003 or 2004 may, at the recipient’s discretion, use up to 50 percent of the amount of the grant awarded for any fiscal year to pay for personnel and operational costs, including overtime and backfill costs, in support of the uses authorized under subsection (a).