On Monday, December 1, 2014, the House will consider H.R. 3438, the National Laboratories Mean National Security Act, under a suspension of the rules. H.R. 3438 was introduced on October 30, 2013 by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security.
H.R. 3438 authorizes the use of grants under the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program to work in conjunction with a Department of Energy national laboratory.
Currently, some state and local recipients of federal homeland security grants decline to utilize Department of Energy national laboratories under the assumption that these funds would be paid impermissibly (because they would be using the federal government instead of contract operators).[1] This legislation would provide clarity to state and local grant recipients, providing them with the specific authority to use DOE national laboratories.
Similar legislation (H.R. 5483) passed in the 112th Congress by voice vote.[2]
__________
[1] http://swalwell.house.gov/press-releases/swalwell-introduces-the-bipartisan-national-laboratories-mean-national-security-act/
[2] https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5843
A CBO cost estimate is currently unavailable.
For questions or further information contact the GOP Conference at 5-5107.
