DHS Biodetection Improvement Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 706
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T12:28:24Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The DHS Biodetection Improvement Act aims to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) ability to detect biological threats by improving coordination with Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories and sites for research and development (R&D). It focuses on enhancing biodetection technologies to better protect public health and national security.
Key Provisions
- Assessment Requirement: DHS must evaluate its past use of DOE national laboratories and sites for R&D related to its missions, as required under existing law (section 309 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002).
- Strategy Development and Submission: Within 180 days of enactment, DHS must submit to relevant congressional committees (House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) the assessment along with a comprehensive strategy. This strategy must include:
- Identifying biodetection technologies (tools to detect biological agents in the environment) that meet DHS's needs, drawing from internal capability documents and studies like the 2021 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the BioWatch program (an existing DHS initiative for early warning of biological attacks).
- Creating an acquisition plan to purchase and deploy these technologies to current BioWatch locations, following federal procurement rules.
- Conducting regular independent reviews to spot weaknesses or risks in the technologies and develop backup plans if they underperform.
- Collaborating with federal, state, local, Tribal governments, universities, and private companies to set clear standards for future DHS biodetection programs, including innovative R&D efforts.
- Reporting Update: Within one year of enactment, DHS must provide Congress with an update on the assessment and strategy, highlighting any implementation challenges.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This act builds on section 309 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which already allows DHS to partner with DOE labs for R&D, by adding specific mandates for biodetection. It introduces new requirements for a formal assessment, a detailed strategy, external evaluations, and ongoing congressional reporting, which were not previously required in such detail for this area.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances DHS's biodetection capabilities through better use of DOE resources, potentially improving efficiency and reducing gaps in threat detection. It may increase coordination between DHS and DOE, while involving other agencies in evaluations and planning.
- On Citizens: Could lead to faster and more reliable early warnings for biological threats, benefiting public health and safety in urban areas covered by BioWatch. However, it might indirectly raise costs for taxpayers through procurement and R&D funding.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though improved U.S. biodetection could strengthen global health security partnerships by addressing transnational biological risks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DHS and DOE: Primary implementers, with DHS leading assessments and strategies, and DOE labs providing R&D support.
- Congressional Committees: House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which receive reports and oversee progress.
- State, Local, Tribal Governments, and BioWatch Jurisdictions: Benefit from technology deployments and participate in requirement-setting.
- Universities and Private Sector: Involved in partnerships for developing program standards and technologies.
- GAO and Independent Evaluators: Play roles in informing needs and reviewing technologies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures compliance with federal acquisition laws (e.g., Federal Acquisition Regulation) for technology purchases, promoting transparency and accountability in government spending. No new regulatory burdens on private entities are imposed.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over national security and inter-agency cooperation under Article I, without raising privacy or civil liberties concerns, as it focuses on environmental detection rather than surveillance of individuals.
- Political: Reinforces bipartisan priorities in homeland security by addressing known weaknesses in biodetection (e.g., via GAO studies), potentially influencing future funding debates for DHS programs like BioWatch. It encourages multi-stakeholder collaboration, which could foster broader support for science-based security measures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-03-11: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-03-11: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)
- 2025-03-11: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)
- 2025-03-11: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1126)
- 2025-03-10: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Green (TN) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
- 2025-03-10: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 706.
- 2025-03-10: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1046-1048)
- 2025-03-10: Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-23: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
- 2025-01-23: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 2025-01-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- DHS Biodetection Improvement Act — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (6 pages)
- DHS Biodetection Improvement Act — issued 2025-01-23 — PDF (4 pages)
- DHS Biodetection Improvement Act — issued 2025-03-12 — PDF (4 pages)