Border Relief Grant Program

(a)

Grants authorized

(1)

In general

The Attorney General is authorized to award grants to— (A)eligible law enforcement agencies, or a coalition of such agencies, to provide the resources described in subsection (b) to address drug-related criminal activity that occurs in the jurisdiction of such agencies; and (B)institutions of higher education that provide assistance to law enforcement agencies in counties described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of subsection (d)(1) to provide the resources described in subsection (b)(4). (2)

Competitive basis

The Attorney General shall award grants under this section on a competitive basis. (3)

Priority

In awarding grants for the uses described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (b), the Attorney General shall give priority to law enforcement agencies located in a county that is within 150 miles from the United States border with Mexico. (b)

Use of funds

Grants awarded under this section may only be used to provide additional resources for eligible law enforcement agencies to address drug-related criminal activity, and for the training and assistance described in paragraph (4) for organizations described in subsection (a)(2), including resources to— (1)combat criminal activities along the Southern border by— (A)obtaining, upgrading, or maintain equipment; (B)hiring additional personnel; (C)reimbursing operational expenditures, including overtime and transportation costs; and (D)providing other assistance necessary to address drug-related criminal activity; (2)facilitate information sharing and collaboration by— (A)establishing, maintaining, or enhancing multi-jurisdictional intelligence gathering and sharing activities; (B)facilitating regional crime prevention and reduction efforts; and (C)strengthening partnerships between Federal, tribal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; (3)enhance jails, community corrections, and detention operations by— (A)improving the administration and operations of correction functions related to reducing and preventing criminal narcotics activity; (B)improving access to intelligence and collaboration between law enforcement and correctional system personnel; (C)reducing the recidivism rates of drug offenders; and (D)hiring detention, probation, parole, and other corrections personnel for implementation of the efforts described in this paragraph; and (4)provide training and technical assistance, including training and assistance related to— (A)narcotics-related kidnapping negotiation and rescue tactics; (B)intelligence and information sharing on drug trafficking organizations; and (C)the interdiction of narcotics, weapons, and illegal drug proceeds. (c)

Application

(1)

In general

Each eligible law enforcement agency, or coalition of such agencies, seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Attorney General at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require. (2)

Contents

Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall— (A)describe the activities for which assistance under this section is sought; and (B)provide such additional assurances as the Attorney General determines to be essential to ensure compliance with the requirements under this section. (d)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Eligible law enforcement agency

The term eligible law enforcement agency means a tribal, State, or local law enforcement agency, including a community corrections agency and any agency that employs prosecutors, probation officers, or parole officers, which is located or performs duties in— (A)Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas; or (B)a jurisdiction that has been designated by the Director of the Office of Drug Control Policy as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. (2)

High intensity drug trafficking area

The term High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area means any jurisdiction designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area by the National Drug Control Program under section 707 of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 (21 U.S.C. 1706). (e)

Authorization of appropriations

(1)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated $100,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2015 to carry out the provisions of this section. (2)

Allocation of authorized funds

Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1)— (A)not more than 33 percent may be set aside for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas; and (B)not more than 30 percent may be used for activities described in paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (b). (3)

Supplement not supplant

Amounts appropriated for grants pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be used to supplement and not to supplant other tribal, State, and local public funds obligated for the purposes provided under this section.