Bill Summary
The "Secret Service-Local Law Enforcement Partnership Act of 2026" establishes the Extraordinary Protection Reimbursement Program within the Department of Homeland Security. This program aims to provide grants to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to reimburse them for costs incurred while protecting non-governmental properties associated with individuals under the protection of the United States Secret Service.
Key aspects of the legislation include:
1. **Eligibility**: Law enforcement agencies must demonstrate that the funds will be used for costs exceeding typical law enforcement operations directly related to protection activities.
2. **Use of Funds**: Grant funds can only be used for specific protection-related expenditures, including personnel costs (man-hours for protection duties) and equipment necessary for safeguarding designated properties.
3. **Accountability and Reporting**: Annual audits by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security will ensure proper use of funds, and the Secretary of Homeland Security must report on the program's implementation and spending each fiscal year.
4. **Funding**: The act authorizes $61 million for each of the fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028 to support the program.
The legislation aims to strengthen the collaboration between federal and local law enforcement in providing security for individuals under federal protection, ensuring accountability and efficient use of federal resources.
Possible Impacts
The "Secret Service-Local Law Enforcement Partnership Act of 2026," which establishes the Extraordinary Protection Reimbursement Program, could affect people in several ways:
1. **Enhanced Security for High-Profile Individuals**: Individuals who are designated for protection under the program (such as political figures, celebrities, or other high-risk individuals) could benefit from increased security measures funded by the program. Local law enforcement agencies will receive grants to enhance protection around their residences or offices, potentially leading to a safer environment for these individuals and reducing the risk of threats or attacks.
2. **Financial Relief for Local Law Enforcement Agencies**: State, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies may experience a financial benefit as they can receive grants to cover the extraordinary costs associated with providing security for non-governmental properties. This could alleviate budget constraints and allow police departments to allocate resources to other essential services, ultimately benefiting the broader community through improved public safety and crime prevention.
3. **Increased Accountability and Oversight**: The legislation includes provisions for regular audits and reporting by the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security. This increased accountability may lead to more transparent use of funds and better management of resources, which could foster public trust in law enforcement agencies and government spending. Citizens may feel more secure knowing that there are checks in place to ensure that the program is serving its intended purpose effectively and responsibly.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7876 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7876
To establish within the Department of Homeland Security the
Extraordinary Protection Reimbursement Program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 9, 2026
Mr. Landsman (for himself and Mr. Pfluger) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish within the Department of Homeland Security the
Extraordinary Protection Reimbursement Program.
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 ``Secret Service-Local Law Enforcement
Partnership Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. EXTRAORDINARY PROTECTION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish a program to be
known as the Extraordinary Protection Reimbursement Program to provide
grants to reimburse State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments
for protection activities directly and demonstrably associated with the
non-governmental properties as designated in the Presidential
Protection Assistance Act of 1976 of persons protected pursuant to
paragraphs (1), (3), (7), and (8) of section 3056 of title 18, United
States Code.
SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY.
To be eligible for a grant under the program, an applicant shall--
(1) be a State, local, Tribal, or territorial law
enforcement agency; and
(2) certify that the grant will be used only for costs
incurred in excess of typical law enforcement operation costs
that are directly attributable to the provision of protection
as described in section 4.
SEC. 4. USE OF FUNDS.
Grants distributed under this section on a reimbursable basis may
be used only in accordance with the following:
(1) In the case of amounts expended on costs pertaining to
personnel, grant amounts may only be expended for man-hours
spent directly on protection of a non-governmental property,
including patrols dedicated to the area immediately surrounding
the residence or office and officers otherwise posted to
protection of the property.
(2) In the case of amounts expended on equipment, grant
amounts may only be expended--
(A) for the explicit purpose of protection of a
property; and
(B) the Director of the United States Secret
Service shall ensure the need for the grantee to
acquire equipment for the protection of the property
and travel to and from the property.
(3) Grant amounts may only be expended on protection
provided while the protected person is physically present at,
or traveling to or from, the property.
SEC. 5. LIMITATION ON OBLIGATION.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit a report to Committee
on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives, the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, the Committee
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate a report on the implementation of the
recommendations included in the report of the Inspector General of the
Department of Homeland Security, dated July 28, 2023. The Secretary of
Homeland Security shall thereafter ensure future implementation of each
such recommendation.
SEC. 6. ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) Inspector General Audit.--The Inspector General of the
Department of Homeland Security shall carry out an audit of the program
under this section each fiscal year and may carry out such other
inspections of the program as the Inspector General determines
appropriate. The Inspector General shall submit a report on such audit
by not later than 90 days after the first date of the following fiscal
year to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(b) Annual Report.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit
a report for each fiscal year grants are made to the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and to the Committee
on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate that
includes--
(1) the total amount of grants disbursed that fiscal year;
and
(2) for each grantee--
(A) the identity of the grantee;
(B) the amount of the grant;
(C) the total man-hours spent on protection of a
property by the grantee; and
(D) an itemized list of all equipment acquired
using the grant, including the certification referred
to in section 4(2)(B) for that equipment.
SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the term ``non-governmental property''--
(1) means any non-governmental, owned or leased, property
designated for protection by the United States Secret Service;
and
(2) does not include any hotel or other place of temporary
accommodation of less than 30 days.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act
$61,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Administration of these funds shall be executed by the Department's
Management Directorate or Federal Emergency Management Agency, as
directed by the Secretary, in coordination with the Secret Service as
appropriate.
<all>