---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 U.S.C. § 1003"
title: "6"
title_heading: "Domestic Security"
number: "1003"
heading: "Research, development, test, and evaluation efforts in furtherance of maritime and cargo security"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/6/1003"
units:
  - "Chapter 3 — Security and Accountability for Every Port"
  - "Subchapter III — Administration"
---

# §1003. Research, development, test, and evaluation efforts in furtherance of maritime and cargo security

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15) shall—
  - (1) direct research, development, testing, and evaluation efforts in furtherance of maritime and cargo security;
  - (2) coordinate with public and private sector [entities](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2) to develop and test technologies, and process innovations in furtherance of these objectives; and
  - (3) evaluate such technologies.
- (b) **Coordination—** The [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15), in coordination with the Under [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15) for Science and Technology, the Assistant [Secretary](/usc/6/901.md?p=15) for Policy, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the [Director](/usc/6/677a.md?p=3) for Domestic Nuclear Detection,[^1] the Chief Financial Officer, and the heads of other appropriate offices or [entities](/usc/6/301c.md?p=2) of the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7), shall ensure that—
  - (1) research, development, testing, and evaluation efforts funded by the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7) in furtherance of maritime and cargo security are coordinated within the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7) and with other appropriate [Federal agencies](/usc/6/677a.md?p=4) to avoid duplication of efforts; and
  - (2) the results of such efforts are shared throughout the [Department](/usc/6/901.md?p=7) and with other Federal, [State](/usc/6/101.md?p=17), and local [agencies](/usc/6/671.md?p=1), as appropriate.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See Change of Name note below.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–347, title III, § 303, Oct. 13, 2006, 120 Stat. 1921.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Change of Name

Reference to the Director for Domestic Nuclear Detection deemed to be a reference to the Assistant Secretary for the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, see section 2(b)(1)(B) of Pub. L. 115–387, set out as a note under section 591 of this title.