Homeland Security Authorization Measures Pass House

WASHINGTON, July 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS),
Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, announced House passage of
eight critical homeland security bills.

Chairman Thompson issued the following statement regarding the legislation:

"Passage of these vital measures improves the nation's information sharing
capacity, increases privacy protections at the Department and further
strengthens both our cyber and port security," said Thompson. "I look forward
to working with the Senate to include these vital measures in a House-Senate
Conference on the Department of Homeland Security Authorization this year."

The below measures have passed:

H.R. 3815- Homeland Security Open Source Information Enhancement Act of 2008

-- Sponsored by Rep. Perlmutter (D-CO), this bill requires the Secretary of
Homeland Security to make use of open source information to develop and
disseminate open source homeland security information products.

H.R. 4806- Reducing Over-Classification Act of 2008

-- Sponsored by Rep. Harman (D-CA), this bill requires the Secretary of
Homeland Security to develop a strategy to prevent the over-classification of
information and to promote the sharing of unclassified information.

H.R. 6193- Improving Public Access to Documents Act of 2008

-- Sponsored by Rep. Harman (D-CA), this bill requires the Secretary of
Homeland Security to promote the implementation of the Controlled Unclassified
Information Framework applicable to relevant unclassified information.

H.R. 6098- Personnel Reimbursement for Intelligence Cooperation and
Enhancement of Homeland Security Act

-- Sponsored by Rep. Reichert (R-WA), this bill ensures that homeland security
grants can be applied to retain and acquire intelligence analysts to work in
Fusion Centers and engage in information sharing.

H.R. 5170- Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy Officer Act of
2008

-- Sponsored by Rep. Carney (D-PA), this bill provides for a privacy official
within each component of the Department of Homeland Security.

H.R. 5983- Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability Act of 2008

-- Sponsored by Rep. Langevin (D-RI), this measure seeks to enhance
information security within DHS by establishing authorities, qualifications,
security practices for the Chief Information Officer, creating testing
protocols to reduce network vulnerabilities, and requiring the examination of
contractor security policies.

H.R. 5531 - Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008

-- Sponsored by Rep. King (R-NY), this measure clarifies the criteria for
certification relating to advanced spectroscopic portal monitors and
authorizes the "Secure Our Cities" nuclear detection pilot at $40 million.

H.R. 2490

-- Sponsored by Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), this bill authorizes a successful pilot
program that the Coast Guard has been conducting for the mobile biometric
identification in the maritime environment of individuals interdicted at sea.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202)
225-9978

United States House of Representatives
Committee on Homeland Security
H2-176, Ford House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 226-2616 | Fax: (202) 226-4499
http://homeland.house.gov

SOURCE Committee on Homeland Security

Dena Graziano or Adam Comis of the United States House of Representatives,
Committee on Homeland Security, +1-202-225-9978