Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act

3/14/2024, 12:48 PM

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among DHS components.

Requires the Under Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a strategy for achieving and maintaining such communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, that includes:

  • an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components;
  • information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;
  • an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;
  • information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS;
  • guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives;
  • the total amount of DHS expenditures, since November 1, 2012, and projected, to achieve interoperable communications; and
  • dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.

Directs the Under Secretary to submit with such strategy information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates and on who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.

Directs the Under Secretary to submit biannual reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including information on any additional resources or authorities needed.

Congress
113

Number
HR - 4289

Introduced on
2014-03-24

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/9/2014

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Passed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications among DHS components.

Requires the Under Secretary to submit to the House and Senate homeland security committees a strategy for achieving and maintaining such communications, including for daily operations, planned events, and emergencies, that includes:

  • an assessment of interoperability gaps in radio communications among the DHS components;
  • information on DHS efforts and activities, since November 1, 2012, and planned, to achieve and maintain interoperable communications;
  • an assessment of obstacles and challenges to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications;
  • information on, and an assessment of, the adequacy of mechanisms available to the Under Secretary to enforce and compel compliance with interoperable communications policies and directives of DHS;
  • guidance provided to DHS components to implement such policies and directives;
  • the total amount of DHS expenditures, since November 1, 2012, and projected, to achieve interoperable communications; and
  • dates upon which DHS-wide interoperability is projected to be achieved for voice, data, and video communications, respectively, and interim milestones.

Directs the Under Secretary to submit with such strategy information on any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates and on who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.

Directs the Under Secretary to submit biannual reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including information on any additional resources or authorities needed.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the components of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Emergency Management

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures•
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies•
Congressional oversight•
Department of Homeland Security•
Emergency communications systems•
Government studies and investigations•
Internet and video services•
Internet, web applications, social media•
Telephone and wireless communication

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/2/2015

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) respon...


Latest Action7/9/2014
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.