I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1277 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 31, 2011 Mr. Poe of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants for public-private partnerships that finance equipment and infrastructure to improve the public safety of persons who are residents of rural areas of the United States near the border with Mexico by enhancing access to mobile communications, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Southern Borderlands Public Safety Communications Act.

2.

Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to improve the public safety of persons living in rural areas of the United States near the border with Mexico by enhancing mobile communications capabilities.

3.

Grant program

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security may make competitive grants for public-private partnerships that finance equipment and infrastructure to improve the public safety of persons who are residents of rural areas of the United States near the border with Mexico, by enhancing access to mobile communications for such persons who do not currently have access to reliable mobile communications networks. (b)

Focus areas

In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall focus on projects that improve mobile communications in areas impacted by the illegal smuggling and trafficking of people and drugs from Mexico into the United States. (c)

Eligible applicants

Persons eligible for grants under this section include States, counties, municipalities, organizations representing agricultural producers and other rural Americans, and telecommunications providers. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

For grants under this section there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for the 3-fiscal-year period following the date of enactment of this Act. (e)

Funding offset

To offset amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in subsection (d), the International Forestry Cooperation Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) is repealed.