Securing the Cities Improvement Act
This bill makes changes to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office's (CWMD's) Securing the Cities program, which seeks to detect nuclear or radiological materials to prevent terrorist attacks and other events posing a risk to cities in the United States.
Specifically, the bill requires the CWMD to establish performance metrics and milestones for the program and to track performance against them.
Also, under current law, in carrying out the Securing the Cities program, the CWMD may only partner with cities that are high-risk urban areas, which are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under a different program. Instead, the bill requires the CWMD to designate the jurisdictions it may partner with for the program, and the designations must be based on the capability and capacity of the jurisdiction relating to preparedness and response, as well as the relative threat to, vulnerability of, and consequences for, such jurisdiction regarding terrorist attacks and other high-consequence events utilizing nuclear or radiological materials.
Additionally, within two years of enactment of the bill, the CWMD must submit a report to Congress regarding participation in the Securing the Cities program, the establishment of metrics and milestones, performance against such metrics and milestones, and plans for any changes to the program.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1374 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1374
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make improvements to the
Securing the Cities program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 14, 2025
Mr. Carter of Louisiana (for himself, Mr. Higgins of Louisiana, and Mr.
Thompson of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make improvements to the
Securing the Cities program, 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 ``Securing the Cities Improvement
Act''.
SEC. 2. STC PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY, METRICS, AND CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.
Section 1928 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 596b)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``high-risk urban
areas'' and inserting ``jurisdictions designated under
subsection (c)'';
(2) by amending paragraph (7) of subsection (b) to read as
follows:
``(7) establish performance metrics and milestones for the
STC program, monitor expenditures for the program, and track
the performance against program metrics and milestones; and'';
(3) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``from among high-
risk urban areas under section 2003'' and inserting ``based on
the capability and capacity of the jurisdiction relating to
preparedness and response, as well as the relative threat to
such jurisdiction, vulnerability of such jurisdiction, and
consequences for such jurisdiction, regarding terrorist attacks
and other high-consequence events utilizing nuclear or other
radiological materials''; and
(4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 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
report regarding participation in the STC program, the establishment of
metrics and milestones for the STC program, performance against such
metrics and milestones, and plans for any changes to the STC
program.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1056-1057)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1374.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1056)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1056)
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.
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