Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008

Summary

Department of Homeland Security Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2008. Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to replace the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security with a Directorate for Policy. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a Comprehensive Homeland Security Review. Requires the Inspector General of DHS to review Secure Border Initiative-related contracts having a value exceeding $20 million. Directs the Chief Financial Officer to establish the position of Authorization Liaison Officer to provide timely financial information to the homeland security committees. Directs: (1) the Chief Procurement Officer to provide homeland security procurement training to acquisition employees; and (2) the Secretary to establish a Council on Procurement Training. Requires Customs and Border Protection (CBP) positions to be treated the same as law enforcement officer positions for retirement purposes. Directs: (1) the Chief Human Capital Officer to transmit to the homeland security committees and the Comptroller General a plan addressing under-representation of minorities in DHS; and (2) the Secretary to conduct a DHS-wide review of security clearance and suitability review procedures. Establishes a Chief Security Officer within DHS. Designates DHS's Chief Medical Officer as Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs and Chief Medical Officer and expands such Officer's responsibilities. Establishes an Office of Health Affairs. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Biosurveillance Integration Center. Establishes within DHS an Office of Cybersecurity and Telecommunications. Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to: (1) support research, development, testing, evaluation, and transition of cybersecurity technology; (2) transmit to Congress a strategic plan which includes a strategy to enhance the Directorate for Science and Technology workforce; (3) contract with the National Research Council to assess DHS's university programs; and (4) establish the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office. Directs the Secretary to: (1) submit a comprehensive strategy for the biometric entry and exit data system (US-VISIT) and complete the exit portion for airports or seaports by December 31, 2008; (2) take steps to control costs of hiring, training, and deploying new Border Patrol agents; and (3) assess the personnel, infrastructure, and technology required to reduce border crossing wait times to times comparable to prior to September 11, 2001. Modifies HSA information sharing provisions to require the Secretary to establish within DHS a State and Local Fusion Center Program to facilitate information sharing between DHS and local law enforcement. Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) a program of privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights protection training for fusion center employees participating in the Program; and (2) a program to expand homeland security training to local and tribal governments located in rural areas Establishes a Metropolitan Medical Response System Program.

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Documents

10 official files

• Referred in Senate (text)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 11 May 2007

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• Referred in Senate (PDF)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 11 May 2007

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• Engrossed in House (text)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 9 May 2007

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• Engrossed in House (PDF)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 9 May 2007

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• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 9 May 2007

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• Reported in House (text)

  Reported in House · EN · 4 May 2007

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• Reported in House (PDF)

  Reported in House · EN · 4 May 2007

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• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 26 March 2007

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• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 26 March 2007

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 26 March 2007

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