[House Report 118-642]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


118th Congress }                                          { Report 
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2nd Session   }                                          { 118-642

======================================================================
 
             REPAIR OF THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 
             TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ACT OF 2024

                                _______
                                

August 30, 2024.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

   Mr. Green of Tennessee, from the Committee on Homeland Security, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 8675]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Homeland Security, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 8675) to require the Transportation Security 
Administration conduct a study relating to the digitization of 
the law enforcement officer flying armed checkpoint data 
collection process, and for other purposes, having considered 
the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and 
recommends that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     1
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Hearings.........................................................     2
Committee Consideration..........................................     3
Committee Votes..................................................     3
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     3
C.B.O. Estimate, New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and 
  Tax Expenditures...............................................     3
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     8
Duplicative Federal Programs.....................................     8
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     8
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
  Benefits.......................................................     8
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     8
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     8
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     8

                          PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

    H.R. 8675, the ``Repair of the National Law Enforcement 
Telecommunications System Act of 2024,'' requires the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)--acting through 
the Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service--to conduct a 
study examining the resources and timeline required for 
concerning digital data collection for law enforcement officers 
flying armed. The study would include projected timelines for 
when this digital data collection could begin and estimates of 
what would be required to digitize the current system. The 
study will help TSA understand how many law enforcement 
officers are flying armed and identify opportunities to bolster 
the presence of federal air marshals on commercial flights in 
the United States.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    Sworn and commissioned law enforcement officers who have 
conducted the requisite training and have an operational need 
are permitted to fly armed on commercial airlines. These 
officers must present their credentials to the airline check-in 
desk and receive a physical pass from the airline that they 
then present to the Transportation Security Officers (TSO) at 
the TSA security checkpoint. The TSO then records the law 
enforcement officer in a physical logbook that is maintained at 
the TSA security checkpoint. After clearing the security 
checkpoint, the law enforcement officer must declare themselves 
to the gate agent and then to the flight crew once on board the 
aircraft.
    The current process including the physical logbook makes it 
difficult for TSA to collect data on how many law enforcement 
officers fly armed. Understanding how many law enforcement 
officers fly armed could help augment the mission of the 
Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), as armed law enforcement 
officers assume air marshal duties on a plane when federal air 
marshals are not present. Additionally, during emergencies, TSA 
operational support has no way of quickly knowing whether an 
armed law enforcement officer is on board the flight. The lack 
of coordination can lead to miscommunication and potentially 
dangerous situations with law enforcement officers not being 
informed about law enforcement activity.

                                HEARINGS

    The Committee held the following hearings in the 118th 
Congress that informed H.R. 8675:
    On October 19, 2023, the Subcommittee on Transportation and 
Maritime Security held a heading entitled ``The Role of 
Technology in Aviation Security.'' The Subcommittee received 
testimony from Austin Gould, Assistant Administrator, 
Requirements and Capabilities Analysis, Transportation Security 
Administration; Mario Wilson, Assistant Administrator, 
Acquisition Program Management, Transportation Security 
Administration; and, Tina Won Sherman, Director, Homeland 
Security and Justice, U.S. Government Accountability Office.
    On March 12, 2024, the Subcommittee on Transportation and 
Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing entitled ``Organizational Oversight: Examining TSA's 
Post-Modernization Efforts.'' The Subcommittee received 
testimony from Stacey Fitzmaurice, Executive Assistant 
Administrator for Operations Support, Transportation Security 
Agency; Brian C. Belcher, Executive Assistant Administrator and 
Director of Law Enforcement and the Federal Air Marshal 
Service, Transportation Security Administration; Julie Scanlon, 
Executive Assistant Administrator for Enterprise Support, 
Transportation Security Administration; and Steve Lorincz, 
Deputy Executive Assistant Administrator for Security 
Operations, Transportation Security Administration.
    On May 15, 2024, the Subcommittee on Transportation and 
Maritime Security of the Committee on Homeland Security held a 
hearing entitled ``An Examination of the Transportation 
Security Administration's Fiscal Year 2025 Budget.'' The 
Subcommittee received testimony from the Honorable David 
Pekoske, Administrator, Transportation Security Administration.

                        COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    The Committee met on June 12, 2024, a quorum being present, 
to consider H.R. 8675 and ordered the measure to be favorably 
reported to the House by voice vote.

                            COMMITTEE VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII requires the Committee to list the 
recorded votes on the motion to report legislation and 
amendments thereto.
    No recorded votes were requested during consideration of 
H.R. 8675.

                      COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII, the 
Committee advises that the findings and recommendations of the 
Committee, based on oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) 
of rule X, are incorporated in the descriptive portions of this 
report.

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE, NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT 
                    AUTHORITY, AND TAX EXPENDITURES

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule 
XIII and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974, and with respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(3) of 
rule XIII and section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974, the Committee adopts as its own the estimate of any new 
budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an 
increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures contained 
in the cost estimate prepared by the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office.




    Legislation summary: On June 12, 2024, the House Committee 
on Homeland Security ordered 13 bills to be reported. This 
document provides estimates for 12 of those bills.
    The legislation would:
           Require the Department of Homeland Security 
        (DHS) to conduct a public information campaign on the 
        dangers of traveling to the United States through 
        Mexico from Central and South America;
           Codify the Special Event Assessment Rating 
        (SEAR) program within DHS;
           Authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
        (CBP) to conduct its own maintenance at ports of entry 
        for projects that cost less than $300,000;
           Prohibit DHS from purchasing batteries or 
        products that use batteries made by certain Chinese 
        entities;
           Impose various reporting requirements on the 
        Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS, and 
        the Government Accountability Office (GAO);
           Require DHS to conduct research and 
        development on equipment used by law enforcement 
        agencies to detect illicit drugs; and
           Expand the employee rotational program 
        within DHS to include intelligence analyst positions.
    Estimated Federal cost: The estimated costs of the 
legislation fall within budget functions 400 (transportation) 
and 750 (administration of justice).
    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
legislation will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2024. 
The estimated costs do not include any interaction effects 
among the pieces of legislation. If all 12 bills were combined 
and enacted as a single piece of legislation, the estimated 
costs could be different than the sum of the separate 
estimates, although CBO expects that any difference would be 
small.
    H.R. 4574, Cooperation on Combatting Human Smuggling and 
Trafficking Act: H.R. 4574 would require DHS to conduct public 
information campaigns about the dangers for migrants traveling 
across Mexico to the United States. H.R. 4574 also would 
require DHS to expand partnerships with law enforcement 
entities in Central and South America to combat human smuggling 
and trafficking.
    Using information from DHS about the costs of similar 
public awareness campaigns, such as ``If You See Something, Say 
Something'' and the Blue Campaign, CBO estimates that it would 
cost $5 million annually to implement the public information 
campaigns. Those costs would include hiring and training staff, 
engaging private contractors, and advertising. CBO estimates 
that it would cost DHS less than $500,000 to comply with the 
bill's other provisions because the agency already conducts 
those activities. In total, CBO estimates that implementing 
H.R. 4574 would cost $26 million over the 2024-2029 period, 
assuming appropriation of the estimated amounts.
    H.R. 6229, DHS Special Events Program and Support Act: H.R. 
6229 would codify the Special Event Assessment Rating program 
that DHS currently administers. Under that program, state and 
local governments submit events to an inter-agency working 
group that assesses each event for potential security risks, 
such as terrorist attacks and other hazards. Depending on the 
level of risk determined by the group, DHS and other federal 
agencies may provide support to the state or local government 
in managing security operations for the event.
    H.R. 6229 also would require DHS to engage in research and 
development of emerging technologies that would enhance the 
department's efforts to support federal, state, local, tribal, 
and territorial agencies with respect to mass gatherings. 
Lastly, the bill would require DHS to report to the Congress 
annually on the program's activities and once every five years 
on the program's effectiveness.
    Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates 
implementing H.R. 6229 would cost less than $500,000 over the 
2024-2029 period, primarily to comply with the bill's reporting 
requirements. Any related spending would be subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds. Under current law, DHS 
already can conduct research and development on emerging 
technologies. On that basis, CBO estimates that the cost of 
implementing that provision and codifying the existing SEAR 
program would be insignificant.
    H.R. 8150, REVAMP Act: H.R. 8150 would require U.S. Customs 
and Border Protection (CBP) to establish procedures to allow 
the agency to carry out maintenance and repair projects that 
cost less than $300,000 at federally owned ports of entry 
without the direct involvement of the General Services 
Administration (GSA). Under the bill, that amount would be 
adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also would require 
CBP to consult with GSA before creating those procedures and 
report annually to the Congress on the projects it completed 
and their costs.
    Using information from CBP, CBO estimates that implementing 
H.R. 8150 would cost $1 million in administrative and personnel 
costs over the 2024-2029 period. Any related spending would be 
subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
    H.R. 8631, Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery 
Dependence Act: H.R. 8631 would, starting in fiscal year 2028, 
prohibit DHS from using appropriated funds to purchase a 
battery or a product that uses a battery made by certain 
Chinese entities. The bill would allow DHS to waive the 
prohibition under some circumstances, including if it 
determines that the battery would not pose a threat to national 
security. H.R. 8631 also would require DHS to report to the 
Congress within 180 days of enactment on the effect the 
prohibition would have on costs and operations.
    Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates 
that implementing H.R. 8631 would cost less than $500,000. Any 
related spending would be subject to the availability of 
appropriated funds.
    H.R. 8654, Streamlining Law Enforcement Information Sharing 
Act: H.R. 8654 would require the GAO to report to the Congress 
within one year of enactment on the Homeland Security 
Information Network. DHS uses that network to share information 
and intelligence with other law enforcement agencies, 
coordinate security for planned events, and respond to 
emergencies. Based on the costs of similar reports, CBO 
estimates that implementing H.R. 8654 would cost less than 
$500,000 over the 2024-2029 period. Any related spending would 
be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
    H.R. 8655, Federal Air Marshal Enhancing Airport Security 
Act of 2024: H.R. 8655 would require TSA to develop a plan for 
the role of federal air marshals at certain airports and brief 
the Congress on that plan. Based on the costs of similar 
activities, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost 
less than $500,000 over the 2024-2029 period. Any related 
spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated 
funds.
    H.R. 8658, Emerging Digital Identity Ecosystem Report Act 
of 2024: H.R. 8658 would require TSA to report to the Congress 
on digital identity systems that allow credentials and other 
information to be verified in a secure and efficient manner. 
Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates that 
implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 
2024-2029 period. Any related spending would be subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds.
    H.R. 8662, TSA Commuting Fairness Act: H.R. 8662 would 
require TSA to report to the Congress on the feasibility of 
treating the time that its employees spend commuting from 
airport parking lots to their workstations as on-duty hours. 
Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO estimates that 
implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 
2024-2029 period. Any related spending would be subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds.
    H.R. 8663, DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act of 2024: H.R. 
8663 would require DHS to engage in research and development of 
technologies and equipment that would help federal, state, 
local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies detect 
and disrupt illicit drug trafficking. Under current law, DHS 
already conducts research on equipment and technologies to 
detect and intercept illegal drugs. On that basis, CBO 
estimates that implementing H.R. 8663 would cost less than 
$500,000. Any related spending would be subject to the 
availability of appropriated funds.
    H.R. 8664, DHS Intelligence and Analysis Oversight and 
Transparency Act: H.R. 8664 would require DHS to annually audit 
its use of information systems and bulk data and report the 
results to the Congress. Based on the costs of similar 
activities, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 8664 would 
cost less than $500,000 over the 2024-2029 period. Any related 
spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated 
funds.
    H.R. 8671, DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program 
and Law Enforcement Support Act: H.R. 8671 would allow 
intelligence analysts to participate in DHS's in-house employee 
rotation program, which allows personnel to work temporarily in 
different component units. CBO expects that DHS would need to 
update policies and procedures to expand the current rotation 
program. Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO 
estimates that implementing H.R. 8671 would cost less than 
$500,000 over the 2024-2029 period. Any related spending would 
be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
    H.R. 8675, Repair the National Law Enforcement 
Telecommunications Systems Act of 2024: H.R. 8675 would require 
TSA to report to the Congress on how the agency collects 
digital data about law enforcement officers who are armed when 
they fly. Based on the costs of similar activities, CBO 
estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than 
$500,000 over the 2024-2029 period. Any related spending would 
be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
    Pay-As-You-Go considerations: Enacting any of the 12 bills 
in this estimate would not affect direct spending or revenues; 
therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
    Increase in long-term net direct spending and deficits: CBO 
estimates that enacting any of the 12 bills in this estimate 
would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in 
any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2035.
    Mandates: None of the bills contain intergovernmental or 
private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act.
    Previous CBO estimate: On April 10, 2023, CBO transmitted a 
cost estimate for S. 243, a bill to require the Commissioner of 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish procedures for 
conducting maintenance projects at ports of entry at which the 
Office of Field Operations conducts certain enforcement and 
facilitation activities, as ordered reported by the Senate 
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on 
March 29, 2023. S. 243 is similar to H.R. 8150, and CBO's 
estimate of the costs are the same for both bills.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Jeremy Crimm 
(Department of Homeland Security); Aaron Krupkin 
(Transportation Security Administration). Mandates: Rachel 
Austin, Brandon Lever.
    Estimate reviewed by: Justin Humphrey, Chief, Finance, 
Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit; Robert Reese, 
Chief, Natural and Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; 
Kathleen FitzGerald, Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit; 
H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
    Estimate approved by: Phillip L. Swagel, Director, 
Congressional Budget Office.

                       FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act of 1995.

                      DUPLICATIVE FEDERAL PROGRAMS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c) of rule XIII, the Committee finds 
that H.R. 8675 does not contain any provision that establishes 
or reauthorizes a program known to be duplicative of another 
Federal program.

         STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the objective of 
H.R. 8675 is to produce a plan for how TSA can digitize the 
National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System.

   CONGRESSIONAL EARMARKS, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED TARIFF 
                                BENEFITS

    In compliance with rule XXI, this bill, as reported, 
contains no congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or 
limited tariff benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 
9(f) of rule XXI.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that H.R. 8675 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act.

             SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short title

    This section states that the Act may be cited as the 
``Repair of the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications 
System Act.''

Section 2. Study relating to digitization of the law enforcement 
        officer flying armed checkpoint data collection process

    Within 180 days after the enacted of the Act, the 
Administrator of TSA to conduct a study on the digital data 
collection process for law enforcement officers who are flying 
armed.
    This study is required to provide projected timeline for 
digital data collection process and estimate resources required 
to implement the process. The Administrator is required to 
provide a briefing to the appropriate oversight committees on 
the findings of the study and it must be made accessible in a 
digital format.

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