Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act
This bill would add a new requirement to the Homeland Security Act of 2002 directing the Department of Homeland Security’s Under Secretary for Science and Technology to examine existing federal research on how climate change could negatively affect homeland security. It would authorize, but not guarantee, new research and development (R&D) to mitigate those effects, funded only if appropriations are available. The bill emphasizes evaluating impacts on preparedness, emergency planning, disaster response and recovery, as well as how disaster funding structures are aligned to address climate-related risks. It also requires consultation with other federal agencies, state/local/tribal governments, and critical infrastructure operators, and mandates annual congressional reporting for three years after enactment. A clerical amendment to the Homeland Security Act’s table of contents would place a new Sec. 324 for “Climate Change Research and Development.”
Key Points
- 1Adds Section 324 to the Homeland Security Act requiring the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to evaluate existing federal climate-change research related to homeland security, considering effects on preparedness, emergency planning, and disaster response/recovery, and on how disaster funding structures address these effects.
- 2Allows the Under Secretary to conduct climate-change R&D to mitigate identified or potential negative effects, but only if funding is available through appropriations.
- 3Research scope prioritizes mitigation of climate-related effects that impair DHS operations and may address related matters identified by the Under Secretary.
- 4Requires consultation and coordination with heads of other federal agencies, state/local/Tribal governments, and owners/operators of critical infrastructure.
- 5Establishes a defined timeline for reporting to Congress: a report within one year of enactment and annual reports for three years, detailing the R&D activities undertaken.