Securing the Cities Improvement Act
Securing the Cities Improvement Act
Plain Language Summary
# Securing the Cities Improvement Act Summary **What It Does:** The Securing the Cities Improvement Act modifies a Department of Homeland Security program designed to detect nuclear and radiological materials that could be used in terrorist attacks. The bill requires the DHS to set specific performance goals and track how well the program is working.
It also changes which cities can participate—instead of limiting partnerships to areas already designated as "high-risk" by another federal agency, the DHS would now choose partner cities based on their own assessment of local preparedness, response capabilities, and specific threat levels. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects the Department of Homeland Security and participating cities across the United States. It could expand which cities are eligible to join the detection program, potentially benefiting communities beyond those currently designated as high-risk urban areas. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Securing the Cities Improvement ActThis bill makes changes to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office's (CWMD's) Securing the Cities program, which seeks to detect nuclear or radiological materials to prevent terrorist attacks and other events posing a risk to cities in the United States.Specifically, the bill requires the CWMD to establish performance metrics and milestones for the program and to track performance against them.Also, under current law, in carrying out the Securing the Cities program, the CWMD may only partner with cities that are high-risk urban areas, which are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency under a different program. Instead, the bill requires the CWMD to designate the jurisdictions it may partner with for the program, and the designations must be based on the capability and capacity of the jurisdiction relating to preparedness and response, as well as the relative threat to, vulnerability of, and consequences for, such jurisdiction regarding terrorist attacks and other high-consequence events utilizing nuclear or radiological materials.Additionally, within two years of enactment of the bill, the CWMD must submit a report to Congress regarding participation in the Securing the Cities program, the establishment of metrics and milestones, performance against such metrics and milestones, and plans for any changes to the program.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.