Bill Summary
The "Securing the Cities Improvement Act" amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Securing the Cities (STC) program, which focuses on improving urban security against terrorist threats, particularly those involving nuclear or radiological materials. Key changes include:
1. **Eligibility Criteria**: The Act broadens the eligibility for the STC program beyond just "high-risk urban areas" to include jurisdictions designated based on their preparedness, response capabilities, and vulnerability to attacks.
2. **Performance Metrics**: It mandates the establishment of performance metrics and milestones to monitor the effectiveness of the STC program and track expenditures.
3. **Reporting Requirements**: The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to submit a report to Congress within two years, detailing participation in the STC program, the effectiveness of established metrics, and any proposed changes to the program.
Overall, the Act aims to ensure that urban areas receive tailored support to enhance their security measures against significant threats.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Securing the Cities Improvement Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Security in Urban Areas**: By expanding the Securing the Cities (STC) program to include a broader range of jurisdictions based on their specific threat levels and vulnerabilities, the legislation could enhance security measures in urban areas. Residents in these jurisdictions might experience a greater law enforcement presence, improved emergency response capabilities, and better preparedness for potential terrorist attacks involving nuclear or radiological materials, ultimately leading to a heightened sense of safety.
2. **Accountability and Transparency**: The requirement for the establishment of performance metrics and milestones, along with the Secretary of Homeland Security's obligation to report on the program's progress, means that there will be increased accountability regarding how funds are used and how effective the program is. Citizens may benefit from greater transparency in government spending related to their safety, allowing them to understand how resources are allocated and the effectiveness of security initiatives in their areas.
3. **Impact on Funding Allocation**: The changes to eligibility criteria could affect how funding is distributed among cities and jurisdictions. Areas that may not have been previously classified as high-risk could now receive funding based on their specific needs and threat assessments. This could result in some communities receiving additional resources for counter-terrorism measures, which might improve local infrastructure and public safety, while potentially leading to concerns in communities that may see reduced funding as a result of the new criteria.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1374 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1374
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 11 (legislative day, March 10), 2025
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
and Governmental Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make improvements to the
Securing the Cities program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Securing the Cities Improvement
Act''.
SEC. 2. STC PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY, METRICS, AND CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT.
Section 1928 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 596b)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``high-risk urban
areas'' and inserting ``jurisdictions designated under
subsection (c)'';
(2) by amending paragraph (7) of subsection (b) to read as
follows:
``(7) establish performance metrics and milestones for the
STC program, monitor expenditures for the program, and track
the performance against program metrics and milestones; and'';
(3) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``from among high-
risk urban areas under section 2003'' and inserting ``based on
the capability and capacity of the jurisdiction relating to
preparedness and response, as well as the relative threat to
such jurisdiction, vulnerability of such jurisdiction, and
consequences for such jurisdiction, regarding terrorist attacks
and other high-consequence events utilizing nuclear or other
radiological materials''; and
(4) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:
``(d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a
report regarding participation in the STC program, the establishment of
metrics and milestones for the STC program, performance against such
metrics and milestones, and plans for any changes to the STC
program.''.
Passed the House of Representatives March 10, 2025.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.