As I noted earlier this week Rep. Payne (D,NJ) introduced
HR
4289, the DHS Interoperable Communications Act. The bill would require DHS
to develop a strategy to implement changes in the department’s operations and
equipment that would allow the various DHS components to communicate with each
other during operations.
Interoperable
Communications
The bill starts off with amending
6
USC 341 by adding a definition of ‘interoperable communications’ as
paragraph (d). That definition describes the term as:“the ability of components
of the Department to communicate with each other as necessary, utilizing
information technology systems and radio communications systems to exchange
voice, data, and video in real time, as necessary, for acts of terrorism, daily
operations, planned events, and emergencies”.
Develop a Strategy
Section 3 of the legislation gives the Under Secretary for
Management 120 days to present to congress a copy of a strategy to achieve
interoperable communications within the Department. That strategy should
provide:
• An assessment of interoperability
gaps in radio communications among the components of the Department {§3(a)(1)};
• Information on efforts and
activities, including current and planned policies, directives, and training,
of the Department since November 1, 2012, to achieve and maintain interoperable
communications {§3(a)(2)};
• Planned efforts and activities of
the Department to achieve and maintain such interoperable communications {§3(a)(2)};
• An assessment of obstacles and
challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications{§3(a)(3)};
• Information on, and an assessment
of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary for Management
to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and
directives {§3(a)(4)};
• Guidance provided to the
components of the Department to implement interoperable communications policies
and directives {§3(a)(5)};
• The total amount of funds
expended by the Department since November 1, 2012, and projected future
expenditures, to achieve interoperable communications, including on equipment,
infrastructure, and maintenance {§3(a)(6)}; and
• Dates upon which Department-wide
interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications,
respectively, and interim milestones that correspond to the achievement of each
such mode of communication {§3(a)(7)}.
As expected there are also provisions for various reports to
Congress about the implementation of this strategy.
Moving Forward
As I noted in Monday’s blog about the introduction of this
bill this bill has bipartisan support as it was introduced by the Ranking Member
of the House Homeland Security’s Emergency Preparedness, Response and
Communications Subcommittee and cosponsored by the chair of that Subcommittee
Rep Brooks (R,IN). The first markup hearing will be tomorrow, so we can see
that this is being pushed along quickly.
I expect that his bill will be adopted easily tomorrow and
by the full Committee when that markup is scheduled. The only question past
that will be if the bill actually makes it to the floor in either House. This
is an election year and this doesn’t look like a high priority in anyone’s
re-election campaign. So unless this gets the attention of the Republican
leadership in the House and then Sen. Reid’s (D,LV) eye, this bill will
probably remain on the desk when this Congress adjourns the final time in
December.
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