Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act of 2019
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a joint task force to enhance border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent narcotics such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids from entering the United States. DHS shall report to Congress as to whether it will establish such a task force. If such a task force is established, DHS shall periodically report to Congress on issues such as what additional resources are needed to detect and prevent narcotics from entering the United States.
The bill also authorizes DHS joint task forces to engage with and receive assistance from outside DHS, including private sector organizations and federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, or international entities.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3722 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3722
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize a Joint Task
Force to enhance integration of the Department of Homeland Security's
border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent
narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering
the United States, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 11, 2019
Mr. Langevin (for himself, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Rose of New York,
and Mr. McCaul) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize a Joint Task
Force to enhance integration of the Department of Homeland Security's
border security operations to detect, interdict, disrupt, and prevent
narcotics, such as fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, from entering
the United States, and for other purposes.
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 of 2019''.
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 two 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 the
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.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-194.
Reported by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-194.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 152.
Mr. Correa moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8022-8024)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3722.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
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Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8071-8072)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 - 1 (Roll no. 554).(text: 09/26/2019 CR H8022-8023)
Roll Call #554 (House)On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 403 - 1 (Roll no. 554). (text: 09/26/2019 CR H8022-8023)
Roll Call #554 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.