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Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act

H.R. 4737 · 116th Congress · Feb 11, 2020 · Lineage

AN ACT

To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security to research and evaluate existing Federal research regarding approaches to mitigate climate change on homeland security to identify areas for further research within the Department, research and develop approaches to mitigate the consequences of climate change on homeland security, and for other purposes.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act”.

2. Climate change planning, research and development, and protection and preparedness

(a)
In general— Title III of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“321. Climate change research and development

“(a) In general—The Under Secretary for Science and Technology—

“(1) shall evaluate existing Federal research regarding approaches to mitigate the consequence of climate change on homeland security to identify areas for additional research and development pursuant to paragraph (2) with respect to—

“(A) any connection between climate change and homeland security, including how the resulting competition for resources, economic distress, and social discontent has contributed to, among other outcomes, acts of terrorism;

“(B) the degree to which climate change is reflected in terrorism preparedness and emergency planning and policies, including with respect to preparedness, response to, and recovery from natural disasters; and

“(C) the degree to which the Federal funding structure to respond to major disaster declarations and emergency declarations is adequately structured to meet the demands of responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism and natural disasters that are aggravated by climate change; and

“(2) shall, to the extent practicable, conduct research and development on approaches to mitigate the consequences of climate change on homeland security in response to finding pursuant to paragraph (1).

“(b) Scope—The scope of the research and development under subsection (a)(2) shall include the following:

“(1) Any connection between climate change and homeland security, including how the resulting competition for resources, economic distress, and social discontent can contribute to, among other outcomes, acts of terrorism.

“(2) The degree to which climate change is reflected in terrorism preparedness and emergency planning and policies, including with respect to preparedness, response to, and recovery from natural disasters.

“(3) The degree to which the Federal funding structure to respond to major disaster declarations and emergency declarations is adequately structured to meet the demands of responding to and recovering from acts of terrorism and natural disasters that are aggravated by climate change.

“(c) Consultation—In carrying out this section, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall consult with the heads of other relevant agencies and departments of the Federal Government, first responders, and relevant owners and operators of critical infrastructure.

“(d) Climate change defined—The term “climate change” refers to detectable changes in one or more climate system components that is directly or indirectly attributed to—

“(1) human activity; and

“(2) altering the composition of the global atmosphere.”

(b)
Clerical amendment— 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 320 the following new item:

3. Report to Congress

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for 3 years, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on any research and development activities carried out pursuant to section 321 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as added by this Act.