IIB 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1148 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 26, 2009 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a program in the maritime environment for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists, to enhance border security.

1.

Maritime biometric identification

(a)

In general

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct, in the maritime environment, a program for the mobile biometric identification of suspected individuals, including terrorists, to enhance border security and for other purposes. (b)

Requirements

The Secretary shall ensure the program described in subsection (a) is coordinated with other biometric identification programs within the Department of Homeland Security. (c)

Cost analysis

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate an analysis of the cost of expanding the Department’s biometric identification capabilities for use by departmental maritime assets considered appropriate by the Secretary. The analysis may include a tiered plan for the deployment of the program described in subsection (a) that gives priority to vessels and units more likely to encounter individuals suspected of making unlawful border crossings through the maritime environment. (d)

Definition

For the purposes of this section, the term biometric identification means the use of fingerprint and digital photography images.

Passed the House of Representatives March 24, 2009. Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk