[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3658 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3658
To amend the Homeland Secretary Act of 2002 with respect to the Joint
Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 24, 2023
Mr. Vasquez (for himself, Mr. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Deluzio, and Mr.
Ciscomani) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Homeland Secretary Act of 2002 with respect to the Joint
Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid
Trafficking Act''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF JOINT TASK FORCE TO COUNTER OPIOIDS.
Subsection (b) of section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(6 U.S.C. 348) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)(A), by adding at the end the following
new clause:
``(iv) Enhancing the integration of the
Department's border security operations to
detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent
narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic
opioids, from entering the United States.'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (9) through (13) as
paragraphs (11) through (15), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new
paragraphs:
``(9) Engagement with the private sector.--
``(A) In general.--The Director of a Joint Task
Force may engage with representatives from a private
sector organization for the purpose of carrying out the
mission of such Joint Task Force, and any such
engagement shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
``(B) Assistance from private sector.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding
subsection (b)(1), the Secretary, with the
agreement of a private sector organization, may
arrange for the temporary assignment of an
employee of such organization to a Joint Task
Force in accordance with this paragraph.
``(ii) Agreement.--The Secretary shall
provide for a written agreement between the
Department, the private sector organization
concerned, and the employee concerned regarding
the terms and conditions of the assignment of
such employee under this paragraph.
``(C) No financial liability.--Any agreement under
this paragraph shall require the private sector
organization concerned to be responsible for all costs
associated with the assignment of an employee under
this paragraph.
``(D) Duration.--An assignment under this paragraph
may, at any time and for any reason, be terminated by
the Secretary or the private sector organization
concerned and shall be for a total period of not more
than 2 years.
``(10) Collaboration with task forces outside dhs.--The
Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding by which
a Joint Task Force established under this section to carry out
any purpose specified in paragraph (2)(A) and any other
Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, or international
entity or task force established for a similar purpose may
collaborate for the purpose of carrying out the mission of such
Joint Task Force.''.
SEC. 3. NOTIFICATION; REPORTING.
(a) Notification.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall--
(1) make a determination regarding whether to establish a
Joint Task Force under section 708 of the Homeland Security Act
of 2002 to carry out the purpose specified in clause (iv) of
subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section, as added by section 2 of
this Act; and
(2) submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs of the Senate written notification of
such determination, including, if such determination is in the
negative, information on the basis for such negative
determination.
(b) Reporting.--If the Secretary of Homeland Security establishes a
Joint Task Force under section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
to carry out the purpose specified in clause (iv) of subsection
(b)(2)(A) of such section, as added by section 2 of this Act, the
Secretary shall--
(1) beginning with the first report required under
subsection (b)(6)(F) of such section 708, include with respect
to such a Joint Task Force--
(A) a gap analysis of funding, personnel,
technology, or other resources needed in order to
detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics, such
as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering
the United States; and
(B) a description of collaboration pursuant to
subsection (b)(10) of such section (as added by section
2 of this Act) between such a Joint Task Force and any
other Federal, State, local, Tribal, territorial, or
international task force, including the United States
Postal Service and the United States Postal Inspection
Service; and
(2) in each review required under subsection (b)(11)(C) of
section 708 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as
redesignated by section 2 of this Act, an assessment of the
activities of such a Joint Task Force, including an evaluation
of whether such Joint Task Force has enhanced integration of
the Department's efforts, created any unique capabilities, or
otherwise enhanced operational effectiveness, coordination, or
information sharing to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent
narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from
entering the United States.
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