Docket HopperPart I · Bills · 114th H.R. 615
H.R. 615 · 114th CongressPublic Law 114-29Emergency Management

Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act became law 159 days after introduction, with cosponsors from both parties

Sponsored by Payne, Donald M., Jr. D-NJ · 4 cosponsors: 1 Democrat, 3 Republicans
IntroducedJan 28, 2015
ReportedMar 4, 2015
Passed one chamberFeb 2, 2015
Passed bothJun 11, 2015
LawJul 6, 2015
What it changes · CRS summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 366 words.

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act or the DHS Interoperable Communications Act

(Sec. 3) 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.

(Sec. 4) 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 future expenditures 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: (1) any intra-agency effort or task force that has been delegated responsibilities relating to achieving and maintaining interoperable communications by such dates; and (2) who, within each component, is responsible for implementing policies and directives issued by the Under Secretary to achieve and maintain interoperable communications.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Under Secretary, within 100 days after the strategy is submitted and every 2 years thereafter for 6 years, to submit reports on the status of efforts to implement such strategy, including: (1) progress on interim milestones; (2) information on establishment by the Under Secretary of, and compliance of DHS components with, policies, directives, guidance, and training to achieve and maintain interoperable communications; and (3) information on any additional resources or authorities needed by the Under Secretary.

Context
Committees
House Homeland Security Committee
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Policy area
Emergency Management: 54 of 1,024 bills became law, 113th–118th (5.3%)
Sponsor
5 of 74 bills enacted since 2013
Text versions
7, from enrolled bill to public law · 1,074 words
Subjects
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresBroadcasting, cable, digital technologiesCongressional oversightDepartment of Homeland SecurityEmergency communications systemsGovernment studies and investigations +3 more
Latest action
Jul 6, 2015: Became Public Law No: 114-29.
Records
Congress.gov · Bill text
Exhibit 1Passage odds band at each stage, rated when the bill reached it [4]
Related bills · 0

The bill status record lists no related bills.

Exhibit 2Articles naming the bill per day, last 90 days, US sources [3]