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Fiscal Year 2005 Homeland Security Grant Program: State Allocations and Issues for Congressional Oversight [December 13, 2004]
From the Document: "The Office for Domestic Preparedness, within the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for directing and supervising federal terrorism preparedness grants for states and localities. Prior to FY2005, the Office for Domestic Preparedness offered that assistance through six separate grant programs. Some state and local officials, however, criticized the fragmentation of homeland security assistance and recommended streamlining the grant process. Subsequently, the Office for Domestic Preparedness recommended and -- pursuant to Section 872 of the Homeland Security Act (P.L. 107-296), which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security Secretary 'to allocate, reallocate, and consolidate functions and organization units within the Department' -- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge approved consolidating the separate programs into a single Homeland Security Grant Program. Within the consolidated program, however, the six types of assistance continue to have their separate identities and funding allocations as 'sub-grants.' As a whole, the Homeland Security Grant Program provides assistance for a wide range of eligible activities, among which are planning, training, equipment acquisition, and exercises. To fund the program, Congress appropriated approximately $2.5 billion for FY2005, roughly $600,000 less than for the programs in FY2004. [...] This report also discusses issues regarding methods used to allocate federal homeland security assistance and authorized expenditures of homeland security assistance programs, and it analyzes options Congress may wish to consider for resolving those issues. Tables included in the report present comparative data on federal homeland security assistance to states and localities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2004-12-13
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First Responder Grant Formulas: The 9/11 Commission Recommendation and Other Options for Congressional Action [Updated October 7, 2004]
"The Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP), now consolidated with the Office for State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is responsible for administering grant programs to assist first responders (including firefighters, law enforcement personnel, emergency managers, and emergency medical service personnel) in homeland security activities. These assistance programs, such as the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), Assistance to Firefighters (FIRE), and Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG), provide federal funding to assist in the purchase of equipment, training, exercises, and planning. In FY2003 and FY2004, Congress appropriated a combined total of $7.8 billion for first responder grant programs. The Administration's FY2005 budget request proposes $3.4 billion for these programs. H.R. 4567 (approved by the House of Representatives on June 18, 2004) proposes $3.7 billion, and S. 2537 proposes $3.5 billion. Even though a significant amount of money has been appropriated to assist state and local first responders, however, some observers argue that issues associated with program funding have decreased these programs' effectiveness. [...] The issues examined in this report include proposed alternative funding formulas for first responder grant programs and reported administrative problems that may be responsible for significant delays in grant funds being used by state and local governments. The report discusses options Congress may consider in evaluating these issues. It summarizes how DHS currently administers these programs, the formulas used in allocating funds to states and localities, and the 9/11 Commission's recommendation for state and local homeland security funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2004-10-07
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Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [April 30, 2010]
"In light of lessons learned from the September 2001 terrorist attacks and other catastrophes such as Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, the second session of the 111th Congress is expected to consider questions and issues associated with federal homeland security assistance. Federal homeland security assistance, for the purpose of this report, is defined as U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs that provide funding, training, or technical assistance to states, localities, tribes, and other entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters. Since the nation is still threatened by terrorist attacks and natural disasters, the 111th Congress may wish to consider questions and challenges about whether, or how, federal homeland security assistance policy should be revisited. Policy solutions could affect, and be constrained by, existing law and regulations, and constitutional considerations. Since FY2002, Congress has appropriated over $34 billion for homeland security assistance to states, specified urban areas and critical infrastructures (such as ports and rail systems), the District of Columbia, and U.S. insular areas. Originally, in FY2002, there were eight programs; in FY2010 there are 15 programs. This expansion and scope of homeland security assistance programs are the result of congressional and executive branch actions. […]. This report summarizes these programs, and identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. These issues include (1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; (2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; (3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; (4) the programs' funding amounts; and (5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2010-04-30
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U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions [March 8, 2010]
"The U.S. Secret Service has two missions--criminal investigations and protection. Criminal investigation activities, which have expanded since its inception as a small anti-counterfeiting operation at the end of the Civil War, now encompass financial crimes, identity theft, counterfeiting, computer fraud, and computer-based attacks on the nation's financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure, among other areas. Protection activities, which have expanded and evolved since the 1890s, include the safety and security of the President, Vice President, their families, and other identified individuals and locations. [...] During an April 2008 hearing on the FY2009 budget request for the U.S. Secret Service, Members of Congress raised questions related to the missions and organizational location of the Service, and on December 2, 2009, the House Homeland Security Committee conducted a hearing on and questioned U.S. Secret Service presidential protection operations following a White House security breach. Are the two missions of the Service compatible and how should they be prioritized? Is the Department of Homeland Security the most appropriate organizational and administrative location for the Secret Service? These, and other policy questions, have been raised and addressed at different times by Congress and various administrations during the long history of the Service. Additionally, there has been increased interest in the Service due to the recent inaugural security operations and the protection of President Barack Obama. Some may contend that these and other questions call for renewed attention given the recent increase in demand for the Service's protection function (for example, see P.L. 110-326 enacted by the 110th Congress) and the advent of new technology used in financial crimes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2010-03-08
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Federal Building and Facility Security [May 26, 2010]
"The security of federal government buildings and facilities affects not only the daily operations of the federal government but also the health, well-being, and safety of federal employees and the public. Recent congressional action concerning the security of federal buildings includes P.L. 111-83 (FY2010 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security), which addressed the issue of the transfer of the Federal Protective Service from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to the National Protection and Programs Directorate."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn; Tong, Lorraine H.
2010-06-26
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Emergency Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation: CRS Experts [April 14, 2009]
This Report for Congress contains a table that "provides access to names and contact information for CRS [Congressional Research Service] experts on policy concerns relating to emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation. Policy areas identified include: emergency preparedness and protection missions, functions, and structures; emergency authorities; preparedness plans; communications networks; warning systems; state and local homeland security funding, training, and standards; federal government preparedness and protection; critical infrastructure protection; homeland security and U.S. Northern Command; and public health preparedness."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-04-14
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Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [December 1, 2009]
This report summarizes the federal homeland security assistance programs that have been administered by the Grant Programs Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Department of Homeland Security. This report also identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. "These issues include (1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; (2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; (3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; (4) the programs' funding amounts; (5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies, and (6) the use of grant funding for sustainment and maintenance costs associated with previous fiscal year homeland security projects. Some of these issues have been debated and legislation passed since FY2002; presently H.R. 3837 addresses the issue of sustainment and maintenance costs. This report will be updated when congressional or executive branch actions warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-12-01
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Federal Protective Service and Contract Security Guards: A Statutory History and Current Status [Updated August 20, 2009]
"The Federal Protective Service (FPS)--within U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)--is responsible for protecting federal government property, personnel, visitors, and customers, including property leased by the General Services Administration (GSA). FPS currently employs over 15,000 contract security guards to protect federal property. DHS continued the use of contract security guards to focus FPS activities on maintaining security policy and standards, conducting building security assessments, and monitoring federal agency compliance with security standards in FY2009. P.L. 110-329 (the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009) included provisions on FPS maintaining a certain number of police officers. The 110th Congress also enacted P.L. 110-356 (the Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act of 2008) which addressed the issue of awarding federal contracts to privately owned contract security guard businesses. The 111th Congress has yet to take any legislative action on FPS, however, the Administration's FY2010 budget request proposes to transfer FPS from ICE to the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) within DHS, which the Senate-passed version of H.R. 2892 supports. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-08-20
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FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities [November 5, 2009]
"Since FY2002, Congress has appropriated more than $33 billion for homeland security assistance to states, specified urban areas and critical infrastructures (such as ports and rail systems), the District of Columbia, and U.S. insular areas. The Grant Programs Directorate and the National Preparedness Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, administer these programs for the Department of Homeland Security. Each assistance program has either an all hazards purpose or a terrorism preparedness purpose. These programs are primarily used by first responders, which include firefighters, emergency medical personnel, emergency managers, and law enforcement officers. Specifically, the appropriations for these programs provide for grants, training, exercises, and other support to states, territories, and tribal and joint jurisdictions to prepare for terrorism and major disasters. This report provides information on enacted FY2009 and FY2010 funding for these grant programs. It also identifies potential issues Congress may wish to address. The report will be updated when congressional or executive branch actions warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-11-05
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U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions [Updated August 5, 2009]
This CRS reports describes the recent developments and budget appropriations for the U.S. Secret Service. "During an April 2008 hearing on the FY2009 budget request for the U.S. Secret Service, Members of Congress raised questions related to the missions and organizational location of the Service. Are the two missions of the Service compatible and how should they be prioritized? Is the Department of Homeland Security the most appropriate organizational and administrative location for the Secret Service? These, and other policy questions, have been raised and addressed at different times by Congress and various administrations during the long history of the Service. Additionally, there has been increased interest in the Service due to the recent inaugural security operations and the protection of President Barack Obama. Some may contend that these and other questions call for renewed attention given the recent increase in demand for the Service's protection function (for example, see P.L. 110-326 enacted by the 110th Congress) and the advent of new technology used in financial crimes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-08-05
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Fiscal Year 2007 Homeland Security Grant Program and H.R. 1: Description and Analysis
"This report summarizes and compares the FY2007 program guidance and H.R. 1 Homeland Security Grant Program distribution methods; it presents rough estimates of the State Homeland Security Grant Program and the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program grant allocations following each of the two methods and assuming a $900 million appropriation; it also compares the estimates with actual FY2006 allocations. Both the FY2007 guidance and H.R. 1 address critical infrastructure protection, homeland security information sharing, interoperable communications, radiological and nuclear detection capabilities, catastrophic planning, and National Incident Management System compliance. These homeland security activities and programs are, however, outside the scope of this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn; Maguire, Steven
2007-02-02
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Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [April 21, 2009]
This report summarizes the federal homeland security assistance programs that have been administered by the Grant Program Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Department of Homeland Security. This report also identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. "These issues include 1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; 2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; 3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; 4) the programs' funding amounts; and 5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies. […] Federal homeland security assistance, for the purpose of this report, is defined as U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs that provide funding, training, or technical assistance to states, localities, tribes, and other entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-04-21
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Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [August 5, 2009]
"In light of lessons learned from the September 2001, terrorist attacks and other catastrophes such as Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, the 111th Congress is expected to consider questions and issues associated with federal homeland security assistance. Federal homeland security assistance, for the purpose of this report, is defined as U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs that provide funding, training, or technical assistance to states, localities, tribes, and other entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters. Since the nation is still threatened by terrorist attacks and natural disasters, the 111th Congress may wish to consider questions and challenges about whether, or how, federal homeland security assistance policy should be revisited […]. The Grant Programs Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, administers these programs for the Department of Homeland Security. Each assistance program has either an all-hazards purpose or a terrorism preparedness purpose. […]. This report summarizes these programs, and identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. These issues include (1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; (2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; (3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; (4) the programs' funding amounts; and (5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies. Some of these issues have been debated and legislation passed since FY2002. However, some observers, including Members of Congress and President Barack Obama's administration, have raised them as issues. This report will be updated when congressional or executive branch actions warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-08-05
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FY2010 Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities [August 5, 2009]
"Since FY2002, Congress has appropriated more than $29 billion for homeland security assistance to states, specified urban areas and critical infrastructures (such as ports and rail systems), the District of Columbia, and U.S. insular areas. The Grant Programs Directorate and the National Preparedness Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency, administer these programs for the Department of Homeland Security. Each assistance program has either an allhazards purpose or a terrorism preparedness purpose. These programs are primarily used by first responders, which include firefighters, emergency medical personnel, emergency managers, and law enforcement officers. Specifically, the appropriations for these programs provide for grants, training, exercises, and other support to states, territories, and tribal and joint jurisdictions to prepare for terrorism and major disasters. This report provides information on enacted FY2009 and proposed FY2010 funding for these grant programs. It also identifies potential issues Congress may wish to address during the appropriation process. The report will be updated when congressional or executive branch actions warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-08-05
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Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [June 8, 2009]
This report summarizes the federal homeland security assistance programs that have been administered by the Grant Program Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Department of Homeland Security. This report also identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. "These issues include 1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; 2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; 3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; 4) the programs' funding amounts; and 5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies. […] Federal homeland security assistance, for the purpose of this report, is defined as U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs that provide funding, training, or technical assistance to states, localities, tribes, and other entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-06-08
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Department of Homeland Security Assistance to States and Localities: A Summary and Issues for the 111th Congress [February 26, 2009]
This report summarizes the federal homeland security assistance programs that have been administered by the Grant Program Directorate, within the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Department of Homeland Security. This report also identifies and analyzes potential issues for the 111th Congress. "These issues include 1) the purpose and number of assistance programs; 2) the evaluation of the use of grant funding; 3) the determination of eligible grant recipients; 4) the programs' funding amounts; and 5) the programs' funding distribution methodologies. […] Federal homeland security assistance, for the purpose of this report, is defined as U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs that provide funding, training, or technical assistance to states, localities, tribes, and other entities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from man-made and natural disasters."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-02-26
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U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions [Updated October 23, 2009]
"The U.S. Secret Service has two missions-criminal investigations and protection. Criminal investigation activities, which have expanded since its inception as a small anti-counterfeiting operation at the end of the Civil War, now encompass financial crimes, identity theft, counterfeiting, computer fraud, and computer-based attacks on the nation's financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure, among other areas. Protection activities, which have expanded and evolved since the 1890s, include the safety and security of the President, Vice President, their families, and other identified individuals and locations. In March 2003, the U.S. Secret Service was transferred from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Homeland Security as a distinct entity. Prior to enactment of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296), the U.S. Secret Service had been part of the Treasury Department for over 100 years. During an April 2008 hearing on the FY2009 budget request for the U.S. Secret Service, Members of Congress raised questions related to the missions and organizational location of the Service. Are the two missions of the Service compatible and how should they be prioritized? Is the Department of Homeland Security the most appropriate organizational and administrative location for the Secret Service? [...]. This report will be updated when congressional or executive branch actions warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2009-10-23
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State and Local Homeland Security: Unresolved Issues for the 109th Congress [June 9, 2005]
"Arguably, the three most important homeland security public laws enacted following the terrorist attacks on September 2001 are: P.L. 107-56, 'Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act' (USA PATRIOT Act); P.L. 107-296, 'Homeland Security Act of 2002'; and P.L. 108-458, 'Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.' The PATRIOT Act focused on enhancing domestic security through antiterrorism measures, specifically, law enforcement and legal responses to terrorism. The Homeland Security Act established the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act restructured the U.S. intelligence community to better assist in terrorism preparedness and response."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-06-09
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First Responder Grant Formulas: A Comparison of Formula Provisions in S. 2845 and H.R. 10, 108th Congress [Updated October 21, 2004]
"On July 22, 2004, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) issued 'The 9/11 Commission Report'. On page 396 of the report, the 9/11 Commission recommends that federal homeland security assistance be distributed to state and local governments based on risk and vulnerability. According to the report, the risk and vulnerability assessments should consider population, population density, vulnerability, and the presence of critical infrastructure within each state. Currently, the majority of state and local homeland security assistance programs distribute funds based on Section 1014 of the USA PATRIOT Act (P.L. 107-56) and guarantee each state a minimum of 0.75% of total appropriated amounts. The Urban Area Security Initiative is the only federal homeland security assistance program that distributes funding to states and localities based on risk and threat. S. 2845, the National Intelligence Reform Act of 2004 (passed by the Senate on October 6, 2004), and H.R. 10, the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act (passed by the House on October 8, 2004), propose to change the current formula used in distributing first responder grant funding to states and localities. They would also include threat and risk criteria in the distribution of funds. Neither H.R. 10 nor S. 2845 proposes to fund state and local homeland security assistance strictly according to threat and risk; both bills propose a guaranteed amount to each state."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2004-10-21
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Homeland Security Grant Formulas: A Comparison of Formula Provisions in S. 21 and H.R. 1544, 109th Congress [Updated May 13, 2005]
"In the FY2005 DHS appropriations (P.L. 108-334), Congress directed DHS to allocate funding for SHSGP, LETPP, EMPG, and CCP in the same manner as the FY2004 allocations. The minimum allocations are based on the formula of 0.75% of total appropriations guaranteed to each state, 0.25% of total appropriations guaranteed to each U.S. territory, and the remainder of total appropriations are based on the states population percentage of the total national population. The actual FY2005 minimum allocation, including SHSGP and LETPP, was $11.25 million for each state and $3.75 million for each territory. In the absence of statutes or congressional guidance, DHS, in FY2004, decided to allocate the remaining appropriations in direct proportion to the ratio of each states population to the total national population."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-05-13
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Homeland Security Advisory System: Possible Issues for Congressional Oversight [Updated February 16, 2005]
"The Homeland Security Advisory System (HSAS), established on March 12, 2002, is a color-coded terrorist threat warning system administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The system, which federal departments and agencies are required to implement and use, provides recommended protective measures for federal departments and agencies to prevent, prepare for, mitigate against, and respond to terrorist attacks. DHS disseminates HSAS terrorist threat warnings to federal departments, state and local agencies, the public, and private-sector entities. This dissemination of warnings is conducted through multiple communication systems and public announcements. HSAS has five threat levels: low, guarded, elevated, high, and severe. From March 2002 to the present, the HSAS threat level has been no lower than elevated, and has been raised to high six times. The first time it was raised to high was on September 10, 2002, due to the fear of terrorist attacks on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The most recent time it was raised to high was on August 1, 2004, due to intelligence regarding possible terrorist attacks on financial institutions in New York City, Washington, DC, and Newark, New Jersey."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-02-16
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Federal Counter-Terrorism Training: Issues for Congressional Oversight [May 16, 2005]
From the Summary: "Federal counter-terrorism training programs are varied and are provided by numerous federal agencies and departments. Some of these departments and agencies include the Departments of Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), Justice (DOJ), and Transportation (DOT), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Each department and agency provides specific counter-terrorism training targeted to given categories of recipients. Training recipients include federal, state, and local government personnel, emergency responders, and private and public critical infrastructure personnel. The programs train individuals to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks. Most of these federal departments and agencies provide training in conjunction with private and public educational institutions, federal laboratories, and federal research and development centers. [...] This report is an overview of the major training activities and facilities of the federal departments and agencies that provide counter-terrorism training. It identifies some of the issues associated with the training."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-05-16
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FY2003 and FY2004 State Allocations for Selected Homeland Security Assistance Programs [July 12, 2004]
"This report shows the state allocations for DHS and HHS homeland security assistance programs, as reported by their department documents or press releases. Additionally, this report shows per capita amounts for each program, as calculated by CRS, using 2002 census estimates. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide assistance programs to state and local first responders and public health officials to prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, including weapons of mass destruction (WMD) incidents. Most of the programs provide assistance funding to states, which in turn allocate funding to localities. Some programs, however, provide assistance directly to localities. Programs of this type include the Assistance to Firefighters Program (FIRE) and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), both administered by the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP). These two federal departments (DHS and HHS) have allocated roughly $8.2 billion to states and localities in FY2003 and FY2004 for homeland security assistance. Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Congress has shown great interest in these assistance programs' allocations to states and localities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2004-07-12
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Flood Insurance Requirements for Stafford Act Assistance [September 5, 2008]
This CRS report discusses flood insurance requirements. "The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) imposes flood insurance requirements upon eligibility for disaster assistance in two general cases: (1) if the entity seeking disaster assistance has received disaster assistance in the past, or (2) if the entity seeking disaster assistance is a state or local government or private nonprofit located in a federally designated special flood hazard area (SFHA) as determined under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. The requirements imposed by the Stafford Act operate independently of each other, and a potential applicant for disaster assistance may fall into both categories. This report will discuss the specific requirements imposed in each situation after briefly discussing the history of flood insurance and the relevant types of disaster assistance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2008-09-05
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U.S. Secret Service: An Examination and Analysis of Its Evolving Missions [July 31, 2008]
"In March 2003, the U.S. Secret Service was transferred from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Homeland Security as a distinct entity." "The U.S. Secret Service has two missions--criminal investigations and protection. Criminal investigation activities, which have expanded since its inception as a small anti-counterfeiting operation at the end of the Civil War, now encompass financial crimes, identity theft, counterfeiting, computer fraud, and computer-based attacks on the nation's financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure, among other areas. Protection activities, which have expanded and evolved since the 1890s, include the safety and security of the President, Vice President, their families, and other identified individuals and locations. […]. Prior to enactment of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-296), the U.S. Secret Service had been part of the Treasury Department for over 100 years. During an April 2008 hearing on the FY2009 budget request for the U.S. Secret Service, Members of Congress raised questions related to the missions and organizational location of the Service. Are the two missions of the Service compatible and how should they be prioritized? Is the Department of Homeland Security the most appropriate organizational and administrative location for the Secret Service? […]. Some may contend that these and other questions call for renewed attention given the recent increase in demand for the Service's protection function (for example, see H.R. 5938 pending in the 110th Congress) and the advent of new technology used in financial crimes. This report will be updated when congressional or executive branch actions warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2008-07-31
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FY2006 Appropriations for State and Local Homeland Security [Updated October 20, 2005]
From the Document: "P.L. 109-90--FY2006 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations--appropriates a total of $2.97 billion for state and local homeland security grant programs. This is $645 million less than was appropriated for these programs in FY2005 ($3.61 billion). The act does not propose to alter the funding formula for the State Homeland Security Grant Program and the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program. It does require, however, that states update their State Homeland Security Strategies in accordance with the Interim National Preparedness Goal to be eligible for federal homeland security assistance. This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report will be updated as circumstances warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-10-20
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New Hampshire Emergency Management and Homeland Security Authorities Summarized [March 30, 2004]
"New Hampshire's Office of Emergency Management is administered by the director of fire safety and emergency management. In addition to the governor, seven state units exercise major disaster and emergency responsibilities. Both the governor and General Court have the power to declare that an emergency exists. Disaster aid is provided from an emergency response budget and disaster funding that is tied to federal support. The New Hampshire legislature has enacted specific emergency drinking water and emergency communications system statutes. This report is one of a series that profiles emergency management and homeland security statutory authorities of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each profile identifies the more significant elements of state statutes, generally as codified. Congressional readers may wish to conduct further searches for related provisions using the Internet link presented in the last section of this report. The National Conference of State Legislatures provided primary research assistance in the development of these profiles under contract to the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Summary information on all of the profiles is presented in CRS Report RL32287. This report will be updated as developments warrant."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bea, Keith; Runyon, L. Cheryl; Reese, Shawn
2004-03-30
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Risk-Based Funding in Homeland Security Grant Legislation: Analysis of Issues for the 109th Congress [Updated October 21, 2005]
"This CRS report addresses the following four policy issues that may confront the conferees as they consider how homeland security funds are to be allocated to the states: [1] What is the difference between a guaranteed base allocation and a guaranteed minimum allocation? What is the conceptual difference, and how would the difference affect the amount of money states would receive? [2] What risk factors should be included in a risk-based funding formula? [3] Should natural and technical disaster risks be considered as factors? [4] Who should determine the risk factors? This report will be updated as congressional action warrants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2005-10-21
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FY2006 Homeland Security Grant Distribution Methods: Issues for the 109th Congress [January 20, 2006]
From the Document: "Homeland security assistance to states and localities is available from three primary sources - the State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSGP), the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), and the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). In FY2006, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to allocate grants from these programs as follows: 1) From the SHSGP and LETPP programs, each state, the District of Columbia (DC), and Puerto Rico is to receive a base amount equal to 0.75% of the total appropriations; each U.S. insular area, 0.25%. The balance is to be allocated among the states, DC, and U.S. insular areas based on DHS's determination of risk and need. 2) From the UASI program, each eligible urban area is to receive a grant based on DHS's determination of risk and need. In August 2004, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission) criticized the allocation of federal homeland security assistance and recommended that the distribution not 'remain a program for general revenue sharing.' The former members of the 9/11 Commission, acting as private citizens conducting the 9/11 Discourse Project, gave Congress and DHS, in their final report dated December 5, 2005, a failing grade on the distribution of homeland security funding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Reese, Shawn
2006-01-20
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Emergency Communications: The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and All-Hazard Warnings [Updated September 2, 2005]
"The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is one of several federally managed warning systems. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) jointly administers EAS with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in cooperation with the National Weather Service (NWS), an organization within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NOAA/NWS weather radio system has been upgraded to an all-hazard warning capability. Ways to improve the NOAA network and the broader-based EAS are underway or are being tested. Much has been accomplished in recent years but the current hodgepodge of warning and alert systems is inadequate for fully alerting the public about terrorist attacks or natural disasters, or for providing information on how to respond. As was demonstrated on September 11, 2001, after the southeast Asian tsunami on December 26, 2004, and again when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, the ability to communicate after a disaster also has a critical role in saving lives. [...] This report summarizes the technology and administration of EAS and the NOAA/NWS all-hazard network, and some of the key proposals for change. It will be updated."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Moore, L. K. S. (Linda K. S.); Reese, Shawn
2005-09-02
