DHS Grants Accountability Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6507

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Last Updated

2026-06-27T08:06:11Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The DHS Grants Accountability Act (H.R. 6507) aims to enhance oversight, transparency, and involvement of stakeholders in federal grant programs administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These programs focus on homeland security preparedness, public transit security, and port security, ensuring more predictable and accountable use of funds to support national security efforts.

Key Provisions

• Annual Requirements for Preparedness Grants: DHS must conduct certain administrative actions (such as issuing guidelines) at least once a year for homeland security grant programs, rather than on a discretionary basis.
• Fund Allocation Transparency: For state and urban area security grants, DHS must allocate funds based on specific risk-based factors (e.g., population density, threat levels). Prior to allocations, DHS must notify congressional committees (House Homeland Security and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) annually, replacing less formal written notices.
• Standardized Deadlines and Application Periods:
• For all covered grant programs (preparedness, transit, railroad, bus, and port security), DHS must publish notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) within 60 days of an appropriations act's enactment if no other deadline is specified.
• Eligible applicants (e.g., states, localities, transit agencies) must have at least 30 days to submit applications after the NOFO is public.
• Extended Periods for Fund Use: Grant recipients can use funds for at least 54 months (about 4.5 years) from award, providing more flexibility for long-term projects.
• Risk Assessments: DHS must share risk assessment information (used to guide grant priorities) at least 30 days before issuing NOFOs or program guidance.
• Covered Programs: Applies to specific DHS grants under sections like 2003 (urban area security), 2004 (state homeland security), 2009 (targeted hardening), transit security (public transportation, railroads, buses), and port security grants.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• From Discretionary to Mandatory: Shifts optional actions (e.g., annual grant administration) to required annual performance, and replaces vague "consideration" of factors with explicit allocation rules.
• Notification Process: Replaces ad-hoc written notices to DHS leadership with formal annual reports to Congress, increasing legislative oversight.
• Timelines and Flexibility: Introduces uniform 60-day NOFO publication and 30-day application windows where none existed, and a minimum 54-month performance period (previously shorter or unspecified in some programs). Removes or re-designates outdated subsections for consistency.
• Scope Expansion: Applies new deadlines to transit and port programs under the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act (2007) and U.S. Code, standardizing processes across DHS grant types.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: DHS will face stricter timelines and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving efficiency and reducing delays in grant distribution. Congressional committees gain better visibility, aiding budget oversight.
• On Citizens and Communities: Local governments, transit operators, and port authorities (as grant recipients) benefit from clearer rules, longer fund usability, and more time to apply, leading to timelier security enhancements (e.g., better emergency preparedness, transit protections). This could indirectly improve public safety without direct citizen costs.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced port security grants may strengthen U.S. maritime trade and border protections, supporting global supply chain stability.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Primary: Department of Homeland Security (DHS), particularly its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), as program administrators.
• Recipients: State and local governments, urban areas, public transit agencies, railroad and bus operators, and port authorities eligible for grants.
• Oversight Bodies: U.S. Congress (Homeland Security committees in House and Senate) for notifications and accountability.
• Indirect: Security vendors and contractors benefiting from more predictable funding for projects like infrastructure hardening.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens administrative law by mandating transparency and deadlines, aligning with federal grant management principles under the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). No conflicts with existing statutes; includes conforming amendments to avoid inconsistencies.
• Constitutional: Supports Congress's spending power (Article I) by enhancing oversight of executive branch grant programs, without infringing on separation of powers.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan accountability (introduced by Reps. Kennedy (R-NY) and Thompson (D-MS)), potentially reducing waste in security funding amid ongoing debates on DHS efficiency. Could set precedents for similar reforms in other federal grant areas, emphasizing stakeholder input without major controversy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
• 2026-02-02: Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
• 2025-12-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
• 2025-12-09: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-12-09: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-12-09: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• DHS Grants Accountability Act — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (8 pages)