Special Events Program Alignment Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8142
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- 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 Special Events Program Alignment Act of 2026 (H.R. 8142) aims to reorganize internal operations within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by transferring the Special Events Program—which handles security planning for major national events—to the Office of Situational Awareness within DHS. This move is intended to better integrate event security with broader threat monitoring efforts.
Key Provisions
- Transfer Mandate: The DHS Secretary must complete the transfer of the entire Special Events Program to the Office of Situational Awareness within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
- Scope of Transfer: Includes all functions, personnel, assets, records, and unexpended funds (such as appropriations, allocations, or other budgetary resources) associated with the program.
- Override Clause: The transfer occurs "notwithstanding any other provision of law," meaning it supersedes conflicting existing rules.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a mandatory internal reorganization of DHS components, shifting the Special Events Program from its current location (likely under another DHS office) to the Office of Situational Awareness.
- No amendments to broader laws; this is a targeted administrative shift without altering the program's core authorities or funding levels.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Streamlines DHS operations by aligning event security with situational awareness tools (e.g., real-time threat intelligence), potentially improving coordination during high-profile events like sports championships or political conventions.
- Citizens: Indirect benefits through enhanced security efficiency for public events, with no direct changes to public access or rights.
- International Relations: Minimal impact, as the program focuses on domestic events.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DHS Leadership: Secretary of Homeland Security oversees the transfer.
- Program Personnel and Office Staff: Employees, assets, and resources move to the Office of Situational Awareness.
- Congressional Committees: Referred to House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees for oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Uses strong "notwithstanding" language to ensure swift execution, reducing bureaucratic delays but potentially limiting challenges from existing DHS regulations.
- Constitutional: No direct implications; falls under Congress's authority to structure executive agencies (Article I powers over appropriations and organization).
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Reps. Mackenzie and Vindman); represents routine agency realignment rather than major policy shift, with focus on efficiency in homeland security.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2026-05-14: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-03-30: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2026-03-27: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Special Events Program Alignment Act of 2026 — issued 2026-03-27 — PDF (2 pages)