Titus Introduces Bill to Help States More Effectively Plan for Security Threats
Press Release
Congresswoman Dina Titus of Nevada's Third District and a member of the Homeland Security Committee introduced legislation Monday that will help states plan for security threats and better prioritize the allocation of homeland security grants. H.R. 5563 requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete annual risk assessments for each state in conjunction with state and local officials.
"This legislation is about making sure communities, such as Las Vegas that face certain risks, have the information and data they need to best use vital homeland security funding," Congresswoman Titus said. "Ensuring the safety of Southern Nevadans as well as the millions of visitors who come to Las Vegas every year is critical to our economy and tourism sector. By increasing transparency in FEMA and coordination between federal and local officials, Las Vegas and cities across the country will continue to refine and improve their safety and emergency preparedness. Las Vegas, like many other cities, faces unique challenges and threats, and this legislation will help FEMA understand our specific needs and more effectively administer these programs."
H.R. 5563 will provide state and high-risk urban areas with critically important threat data that will allow them to plan appropriately for identified risks. It will also further the Department of Homeland Security's goal of prioritizing homeland security grants according to risk, as recommended by the 9/11 Commission. The Titus legislation comes in response to a 2009 FEMA report that identified concerns with risk assessment efforts for the Homeland Security Grant Program. H.R. 5563 addresses the report's finding and recommendations by requiring that FEMA improve transparency of its risk assessment process and coordinate with state and local governments.
Under H.R. 5563, FEMA is required to complete an annual assessment of each state's relative threat of, vulnerability to, and consequences from acts of terrorism in order to better inform the allocations of the State Homeland Security Grant Program.
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