On Monday, July 22, 2013, the House will consider H.R. 1542, the WMD Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2013, under a suspension of the rules.  The bill was introduced on April 12, 2013 by Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA) and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.

H.R. 1542 amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to:

• Support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials against the nation and of global infectious disease, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues
• Support homeland security-focused risk analysis and risk assessments of such homeland security hazards by providing relevant quantitative and non-quantitative threat information
• Leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack
• Share information and provide tailored analytical support on these threats to state, local, and tribal authorities as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders

In addition, the bill requires the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to coordinate with other DHS components, local and federal authorities, and the intelligence community to provide recommendations on information sharing mechanisms.  Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of the DHS to report annually on intelligence and information sharing activities to counter threats from WMDs and on DHS’s activities in accordance with relevant intelligence strategies.  Finally, it requires that the Secretary ensure information analyzed by the DHS concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, and private entities as well as to the public.

Identical legislation passed in the 112^th Congress by voice vote on May 30, 2012.

No formal CBO estimate for H.R. 1254 is currently available.  However, the CBO estimated that identical legislation passed in the 112^th Congress would carry no significant cost to the federal government.[1]

For questions or further information contact the Conference Policy Shop at 5-5107.