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Managing America: War on Terror

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Week Ending March 2, 2006

H.R.884 To provide for the establishment of the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs Office, and for other purposes.

This bill is also called the PACTS Act for Promoting Antiterrorism Cooperation through Technology and Science and is based on Congress’ findings that technology is critical to fighting terrorism, that other nations have produced useful anti-terror technology and that sharing the technology advances would be wise.

To accomplish that goal this bill would create a Federal office to ‘support cooperative endeavors between and among government agencies, for-profit business entities, academic institutions, and nonprofit entities of the US and its allies…’ The office would be called the Science and Technology Homeland Security International Cooperative Programs (STHSITP)

International cooperation on the matter would include research projects, joint research projects or joint ventures, studies or technical demonstrations. Those involved would coordinate field exercises, scientific seminars, conferences, symposia and workshops. Cooperation would extend to training scientists and engineers, exchange of scientists, engineers and scientific and technological information and the joint use of lab facilities and equipment. Equipment loans may be accepted or made.

The Director of the new office will coordinate with the Directorate of Science and Technology and other Homeland Security and other Federal agencies to identify strategic priorities for international cooperation in the areas of research, development and comparative testing.

The Director will explore meeting the strategic priorities set through grants, cooperative agreements or contracts to or with foreign public or private entities, governmental organizations, businesses, federally funded research and development centers and universities. The Director is also responsible for matching US entities with foreign entities for research collaboration and establishing conferences and workshops to improve contact with participants and to help establish future technology goals.

Information sharing with foreign countries including African countries can be explored to strengthen American preparedness against threats to the nation’s agricultural and public health sectors from exotic diseases.

The Director will report to Congress in 180 days of enactment of this bill with a brief description of each partnership formed, goals and amount of and sources of funding for the projects. The report will also include a list of cooperative activities underway, the participants, goals and amount and source of funding. The next report is due in five years and every five years thereafter.

Sponsor:  Rep. Peter T. King (R-NY-3^rd)

Vote: Passed House 396 to 16 February 28, 2007 (RC 105)

Cost to the taxpayers: $25 million yearly is authorized and the funds are to come from otherwise authorized funds for the Directorate of Science and Technology for FY 2008 through 2011.

Earmark Certification:   This bill promises cooperation with and some funding resources for private US and foreign entities.

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MORE INFORMATION

The Congress finds the following:

(1) The development and implementation of technology is critical to combating terrorism and other high consequence events and implementing a comprehensive homeland security strategy.

(2) The United States and its allies in the global war on terrorism share a common interest in facilitating research, development, testing, and evaluation of equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services that will aid in detecting, preventing, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against acts of terrorism.

(3) Certain United States allies in the global war on terrorism, including Israel, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Singapore have extensive experience with, and technological expertise in, homeland security.

(4) The United States and certain of its allies in the global war on terrorism have a history of successful collaboration in developing mutually beneficial equipment, capabilities, technologies, and services in the areas of defense, agriculture, and telecommunications.

(5) The United States and its allies in the global war on terrorism will mutually benefit from the sharing of technological expertise to combat domestic and international terrorism.

(6) The establishment of an office to facilitate and support cooperative endeavors between and among government agencies, for-profit business entities, academic institutions, and nonprofit entities of the United States and its allies will safeguard lives and property worldwide against acts of terrorism and other high consequence events.

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