HR 2477 to Extend CFATS Authorization

Yesterday three Republican members of the House Homeland Security Committee introduced HR 2477 to “provide for an extension of the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to regulate the security of chemical facilities”. This is the first CFATS re-authorization bill to be introduced in the 111th Congress. Interestingly the bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, but not the Homeland Security Committee. It is possible that that will change in the next couple of days. The text of the bill is not yet available from the GPO. As soon as it becomes available, you can be sure that I will review the language and specific provisions. The author of the bill is Charles W. Dent (R, PA). The two initial co-sponsors are Daniel E. Lungren (R, CA) and Mark E. Souder (R, IN).