[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 127 (Tuesday, July 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H3681-H3683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STRENGTHENING LOCAL TRANSPORTATION SECURITY CAPABILITIES ACT OF 2021

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1870) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to 
prioritize strengthening of local transportation security capabilities 
by assigning certain officers and intelligence analysts to State, 
local, and regional fusion centers in jurisdictions with a high-risk 
surface transportation asset and improving the timely sharing of 
information regarding threats of terrorism and other threats, including 
targeted violence, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1870

       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 ``Strengthening Local 
     Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Domestic terrorism.--The term ``domestic terrorism'' 
     has the meaning given such term in section 2331 of title 18, 
     United States Code.
       (2) International terrorism.--The term ``international 
     terrorism'' has the meaning given such term in section 2331 
     of title 18, United States Code.
       (3) Public and private sector stakeholders.--The term 
     ``public and private sector stakeholders'' has the meaning 
     given such term in section 114(u)(1)(c) of title 49, United 
     States Code.
       (4) Surface transportation asset.--The term ``surface 
     transportation asset'' includes facilities, equipment, or 
     systems used to provide transportation services by--
       (A) a public transportation agency (as such term is defined 
     in section 1402(5) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 
     9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 
     1131(5)));
       (B) a railroad carrier (as such term is defined in section 
     20102(3) of title 49, United States Code);
       (C) an owner or operator of--
       (I) an entity offering scheduled, fixed-route 
     transportation services by over-the-road bus (as such term is 
     defined in section 1501(4) of the Implementing 
     Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public 
     Law 110-53; 6 U.S.C. 1151(4))); or

[[Page H3682]]

       (ii) a bus terminal; or
       (D) other transportation facilities, equipment, or systems, 
     as determined by the Secretary.
       (5) Targeted violence.--The term ``targeted violence'' 
     means an incident of violence in which an attacker selected a 
     particular target in order to inflict mass injury or death 
     with no discernable political or ideological motivation 
     beyond mass injury or death.
       (6) Terrorism.--The term ``terrorism'' means domestic 
     terrorism and international terrorism.

     SEC. 3. THREAT INFORMATION SHARING.

       (a) Prioritization.--The Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence 
     analysts under section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h) from the Transportation Security 
     Administration and, as appropriate, from the Office of 
     Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland 
     Security, to locations with participating State, local, and 
     regional fusion centers in jurisdictions with a high-risk 
     surface transportation asset in order to enhance the security 
     of such assets, including by improving timely sharing, in a 
     manner consistent with the protection of privacy rights, 
     civil rights, and civil liberties, of information regarding 
     threats of terrorism and other threats, including targeted 
     violence.
       (b) Intelligence Products.--Officers and intelligence 
     analysts assigned to locations with participating State, 
     local, and regional fusion centers under this section shall 
     participate in the generation and dissemination of 
     transportation security intelligence products, with an 
     emphasis on such products that relate to threats of terrorism 
     and other threats, including targeted violence, to surface 
     transportation assets that--
       (1) assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement 
     agencies in deploying their resources, including personnel, 
     most efficiently to help detect, prevent, investigate, 
     apprehend, and respond to such threats;
       (2) promote more consistent and timely sharing with and 
     among jurisdictions of threat information; and
       (3) enhance the Department of Homeland Security's 
     situational awareness of such threats.
       (c) Clearances.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
     make available to appropriate owners and operators of surface 
     transportation assets, and to any other person that the 
     Secretary determines appropriate to foster greater sharing of 
     classified information relating to threats of terrorism and 
     other threats, including targeted violence, to surface 
     transportation assets, the process of application for 
     security clearances under Executive Order No. 13549 (75 Fed. 
     Reg. 162; relating to a classified national security 
     information program) or any successor Executive order.
       (d) GAO Report.--Not later than two years after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a 
     review of the implementation of this section, together with 
     any recommendations to improve information sharing with 
     State, local, Tribal, territorial, and private sector 
     entities to prevent, identify, and respond to threats of 
     terrorism and other threats, including targeted violence, to 
     surface transportation assets.

     SEC. 4. LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SECURITY TRAINING.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Homeland Security, in 
     consultation with public and private sector stakeholders, may 
     in a manner consistent with the protection of privacy rights, 
     civil rights, and civil liberties, develop, through the 
     Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, a training program 
     to enhance the protection, preparedness, and response 
     capabilities of law enforcement agencies with respect to 
     threats of terrorism and other threats, including targeted 
     violence, at a surface transportation asset.
       (b) Requirements.--If the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     develops the training program described in subsection (a), 
     such training program shall--
       (1) be informed by current information regarding tactics 
     used by terrorists and others engaging in targeted violence;
       (2) include tactical instruction tailored to the diverse 
     nature of the surface transportation asset operational 
     environment; and
       (3) prioritize training officers from law enforcement 
     agencies that are eligible for or receive grants under 
     sections 2003 or 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 
     U.S.C. 604 and 605) and officers employed by railroad 
     carriers that operate passenger service, including interstate 
     passenger service.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Barragan) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Katko) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1870, the 
Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2021.
  This legislation I introduced seeks to improve information sharing 
between the Department of Homeland Security and State and local law 
enforcement in areas with high-risk surface transportation assets.
  This bill will enhance security in two key ways.
  First, it requires DHS to prioritize the assignment of officers and 
intelligence analysts to State, local, and regional fusion centers in 
jurisdictions with a high-risk surface transportation asset. To 
mitigate threats to our critical surface transportation assets, we must 
ensure that intelligence regarding threats to surface transportation 
are shared with appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner. This 
important provision meets that mission, improving the chances of 
preventing the next attack.
  Second, the bill authorizes DHS to develop a training program to 
enhance the protection, preparedness, and response capabilities of law 
enforcement agencies that operate at surface transportation assets. 
Surface transportation systems are unique in their layouts and use, and 
this training would improve law enforcement capabilities in these 
settings in a manner that protects civil rights and liberties.
  Considering the increase in terrorist attacks in recent years against 
mass transit systems, bus stations, and passenger rail systems, it is 
crucial that timely information be shared with local law enforcement 
and security personnel at transit centers. These surface transportation 
systems are critical to our way of life, and an attack against one 
could be devastating.
  Enactment of H.R. 1870 would be a significant step toward ensuring we 
are prepared to mitigate such risk by supplying DHS and State and local 
law enforcement with the resources they need to meet this homeland 
security challenge.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1870, the 
Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2021.
  It is simply not enough for our Federal Government to be prepared for 
an attempted terrorist attack. We must ensure that our State and local 
partners are prepared as well.
  Nowhere else is this more apparent than in the case of surface 
transportation. This legislation ensures that the Federal Government is 
providing sufficient information, intelligence, and training to State 
and local partners to better defend surface transportation assets.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to join me in supporting H.R. 1870, 
and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am 
prepared to close after the gentleman from New York closes.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge Members 
to support this bill, and I congratulate my colleague on it.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 1870 is a timely measure, as attackers remain 
intent on targeting surface transportation systems at this time of 
heightened threat.
  Enacting H.R. 1870 will improve information sharing among DHS and 
State and local law enforcement agencies, increasing our ability to 
stop or significantly decrease the harm caused by such attacks.
  Madam Speaker, for this reason, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
1870, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms.

[[Page H3683]]

Barragan) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 
1870, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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