National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Reassignment and Funding Reform Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 7764

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-05-14: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-07-09T13:27:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to reassign the National Threat Evaluation and Reporting (NTER) Program—a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiative that helps state, local, Tribal, and territorial (SLTT) partners identify and report threats of targeted violence—from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE). It also reforms the program's funding to better align with its focus on non-federal law enforcement needs, rather than national intelligence priorities.

Key Provisions

• Transfer of the NTER Program:
• DHS must complete the transfer from I&A to OSLLE within 180 days of enactment.
• Ensures uninterrupted operations during the transition, including ongoing engagement with SLTT partners.
• Transfers necessary personnel, equipment, records, and funds to OSLLE without reducing services or capabilities for SLTT partners.
• Funding Reforms:
• Prohibits the use of National Intelligence Program (NIP) funds—budget allocations for national intelligence activities—for the NTER Program after the transfer.
• Requires DHS to identify and use alternative funding sources, such as grants for state and local programs or preparedness initiatives, to support and potentially expand the program.
• Reporting Requirements:
• DHS Secretary must submit reports to congressional committees (House Homeland Security and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) 120 days after enactment, and every 180 days for two years.
• Reports cover transfer progress, operational impacts on SLTT engagement, funding changes, challenges, and recommendations.
• Definitions:
• Clarifies terms like I&A (DHS's intelligence office), NIP (national intelligence budget under the National Security Act), NTER Program (DHS effort to build SLTT threat assessment skills to prevent targeted violence), and OSLLE (DHS office for coordinating with state and local law enforcement).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Shifts administrative control of the NTER Program from I&A, which focuses on national intelligence, to OSLLE, emphasizing its role in supporting non-federal law enforcement.
• Ends reliance on NIP funding, which Congress finds mismatched with the program's SLTT-focused mission, redirecting it to more suitable DHS budgets for law enforcement and preparedness.
• Introduces mandatory reporting to Congress for oversight, which was not previously specified in the bill's context.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Streamlines DHS operations by placing the program under OSLLE, potentially improving coordination with SLTT law enforcement while reducing overlap with intelligence functions in I&A. Could lead to more efficient use of non-intelligence funds.
• On Citizens: Enhances threat prevention at local levels by maintaining or expanding SLTT capabilities to detect targeted violence (e.g., mass shootings or attacks), indirectly benefiting public safety without direct citizen-facing changes.
• On International Relations: Minimal impact, as the program is domestically focused on U.S. SLTT partners and does not involve foreign entities.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• DHS Components: OSLLE (gains management and resources), I&A (loses the program), and the Secretary (oversees transfer and funding shifts).
• SLTT Governments and Law Enforcement: Primary beneficiaries, as they rely on NTER for training and threat reporting tools; the transfer aims to strengthen this support without disruptions.
• Congressional Committees: House Committee on Homeland Security and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which receive reports for oversight.
• Broader DHS: Affected through reallocation of personnel and budgets, potentially influencing other intelligence or law enforcement programs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces separation of intelligence (NIP-funded) from domestic law enforcement functions, aligning with existing laws like the National Security Act by prohibiting mismatched funding. The 180-day transfer deadline and reporting mandates provide enforceable timelines for accountability.
• Constitutional: No direct challenges; supports federalism by bolstering state and local roles in public safety, consistent with the Constitution's division of powers.
• Political: Highlights congressional intent to prioritize SLTT partnerships over centralized intelligence, potentially sparking debates on DHS resource allocation. The bill's bipartisan introduction (by Reps. Evans and Van Epps) suggests cross-party support for reforming program alignment, but implementation challenges (e.g., funding transitions) could invite future oversight or amendments.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Van Epps, Matt [R-TN-7], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]

Recent Actions

• 2026-05-14: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2026-05-14: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2026-03-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
• 2026-03-03: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
• 2026-03-03: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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.
• 2026-03-03: Introduced in House
• 2026-03-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Reassignment and Funding Reform Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-03 — PDF (5 pages)