II 111th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 704 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 25, 2009 Mr. Harkin (for himself and Mr. Burr) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel and resources to support homeland security missions, and for other purposes.

1.

Civil Air Patrol Study

(a)

Study

(1)

In general

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the functions and capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to support the homeland security missions of State, local, and tribal governments and the Department of Homeland Security. (2)

Scope

In conducting the study under this subsection, the Comptroller General of the United States shall review the process by which the Civil Air Patrol may provide assistance to the Department of Homeland Security, other Federal departments and agencies, and States to support homeland security missions by— (A)providing aerial reconnaissance or communications capabilities for border security; (B)providing capabilities for collective response to an act of terrorism, natural disaster, or other man-made event, by assisting in damage assessment and situational awareness, conducting search and rescue operations, assisting in evacuations, transporting time-sensitive medical or other materials; (C)providing assistance in the exercise and training of departmental resources responsible for the intercept of aviation threats to designated restricted areas; or (D)such other activities as may be determined appropriate by the Comptroller General in the conduct of the study. (b)

Report

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a). (2)

Contents

The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include— (A)an assessment of the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets for the purposes described in subsection (a); and (B)an assessment of whether the mechanisms in effect on the date of enactment of this Act for Federal departments and agencies and States to request support from the Civil Air Patrol are sufficient or whether additional agreements between relevant Federal departments and agencies and the Civil Air Patrol are necessary. (c)

Report to Congress

Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Comptroller General of the United States completes the study under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall review and analyze the study and submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report on the study, which shall include any recommendations of the Secretary for further action that could affect the organization and administration of the Department of Homeland Security.