Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015” or “CIPA”.
Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2015
A BILL
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to secure critical infrastructure against electromagnetic threats, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 EMP planning, research and development, and protection and preparedness
in section 2 (6 U.S.C. 101)—
by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (18) as paragraphs (8) through (19), respectively; and
by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
“(7) EM threat—The term “EM threat” means an electromagnetic pulse caused by—
“(A) a nuclear device or nonnuclear device, including such a pulse caused by an act of terrorism; or
“(B) a geomagnetic disturbance caused by solar storms or other naturally occurring phenomena.”
in section 201(d) (6 U.S.C. 121(d)), by adding at the end the following:
“(26)
“(A) Prepare and submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives—
“(i) a recommended strategy to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the American homeland against EM threats, including from acts of terrorism; and
“(ii) not less frequently than every 2 years, updates of the recommended strategy.
“(B) The recommended strategy under subparagraph (A) shall—
“(i) be based on findings of the research and development conducted under section 318;
“(ii) be developed in consultation with the relevant Federal sector-specific agencies (as defined under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7) for critical infrastructures;
“(iii) be developed in consultation with the relevant sector coordinating councils for critical infrastructures; and
“(iv) be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
“(C) The Secretary may, if appropriate, incorporate the recommended strategy into a broader recommendation developed by the Department to help protect and prepare critical infrastructure from terrorism and other threats if, as incorporated, the recommended strategy complies with subparagraph (B).”
in title III (6 U.S.C. 181 et seq.), by adding at the end the following:
“318. EM threat research and development
“(a) In general—In furtherance of domestic preparedness and response, the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, and in consultation with other relevant executive agencies and relevant owners and operators of critical infrastructure, shall, to the extent practicable, conduct research and development to mitigate the consequences of EM threats.
“(b) Scope—The scope of the research and development under subsection (a) shall include the following:
“(1) An objective scientific analysis of the risks to critical infrastructures from a range of EM threats.
“(2) Determination of the critical national security assets and vital civic utilities and infrastructures that are at risk from EM threats.
“(3) An evaluation of emergency planning and response technologies that would address the findings and recommendations of experts, including those of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack, which shall include a review of the feasibility of—
“(A) rapidly isolating one or more portions of the electrical grid from the main electrical grid; and
“(B) training utility and transmission operators to deactivate transmission lines within seconds of an event constituting an EM threat.
“(4) An analysis of technology options that are available to improve the resiliency of critical infrastructure to EM threats, which shall include an analysis of neutral current blocking devices that may protect high-voltage transmission lines.
“(5) The restoration and recovery capabilities of critical infrastructure under differing levels of damage and disruption from various EM threats.
“(6) An analysis of the feasibility of a real-time alert system to inform electric grid operators and other stakeholders within milliseconds of a high-altitude nuclear explosion.”
in title V (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.), by adding at the end the following:
“526. National planning frameworks and education
“The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, shall, to the extent practicable—
“(1) include EM threats in national planning frameworks; and
“(2) conduct outreach to educate owners and operators of critical infrastructure, emergency planners, and emergency response providers at all levels of government regarding EM threats.”
Technical and conforming amendments—
The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended—
by inserting after the item relating to section 317 the following:
by inserting after the item relating to section 525 the following:
Section 501(13) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311(13)) is amended by striking “section 101(11)(B)” and inserting “section 101(12)(B)”.
Section 712(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by striking “section 2(16) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101(16))” and inserting “section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 101)”.
Deadline for initial recommended strategy— Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit the recommended strategy required under paragraph (26) of section 201(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121(d)), as added by this Act.
Report— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report describing the progress made in, and an estimated date by which the Department of Homeland Security will have completed—
including EM threats (as defined in section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by this Act) in national planning frameworks;
research and development described in section 318 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by this Act;
development of the recommended strategy required under paragraph (26) of section 201(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121(d)), as added by this Act; and
beginning to conduct outreach to educate emergency planners and emergency response providers at all levels of government regarding EM threat events.
Sec. 3 No regulatory authority
Nothing in this Act, including the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to grant any regulatory authority.
Sec. 4 No new authorization of appropriations
This Act, including the amendments made by this Act, may be carried out only by using funds appropriated under the authority of other laws.