[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S3750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 6563. Mr. SCHIFF submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by
him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year
2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military
construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy,
to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end of subtitle E of title III, add the following:
SEC. 358. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR
DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall
establish guidance governing community engagement and
emergency preparedness practices for covered defense
industrial facilities.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered facility.--The term ``covered defense
industrial facility'' means a facility operated by a prime
contractor or subcontractor that--
(A) performs manufacturing, storage, testing, processing,
or disposal activities in support of a Department of Defense
contract; and
(B) conducts activities involving hazardous materials,
energetic materials, explosives, propellants, toxic
substances, or other materials determined by the Secretary to
present a significant potential risk to surrounding
communities.
(2) Significant incident.--The term ``significant
incidents'' means any event that leads to--
(A) an evacuation;
(B) a public health emergency; or
(C) a disaster declaration from a government entity.
(c) Guidance.--The guidance required under subsection (a)
shall include requirements for covered facilities to--
(1) maintain regular coordination with local emergency
management agencies, fire departments, law enforcement
agencies, and other relevant first responders;
(2) designate a community liaison responsible for
communication with local officials and community members;
(3) maintain procedures for notifying local authorities and
affected communities following a release, fire, explosion, or
other incident that may pose a risk to public health or
safety;
(4) provide easily accessible and publicly available
information regarding emergency notification procedures and
appropriate protective actions for nearby residents;
(5) conduct periodic outreach or informational briefings
for local stakeholders regarding emergency preparedness and
community safety; and
(6) establish mechanisms through which community members
may submit questions or concerns regarding facility
operations.
(d) Protection of Sensitive Information.--Nothing in this
section shall require disclosure of classified information,
controlled unclassified information, export-controlled
information, proprietary information, operational security
information, or information that would increase risks to
national security.
(e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter
for 5 years, the Secretary of Defense shall submit a report
to the congressional defense committees describing--
(1) implementation of this section;
(2) categories of facilities subject to the guidance;
(3) significant incidents reported at covered facilities;
(4) corrective actions undertaken following such incidents;
and
(5) recommendations for additional legislative authority,
if necessary.
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