summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
113th Congress
Bill Summary
WMD Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2013 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials against the nation and of global infectious disease, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues; (2) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and risk assessments of such homeland security hazards by providing relevant quantitative and nonquantitative threat information; (3) leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack; and (4) share information and provide tailored analytical support on these threats to state, local, and tribal authorities as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders. Requires the Office to coordinate with other DHS components, the Intelligence Community, and federal, state, local, and tribal authorities where appropriate and enable such entities to provide recommendations on optimal information sharing mechanisms and on how they can provide information to DHS.Directs the Secretary of DHS to report annually on: (1) intelligence and information sharing activities to counter the threat from weapons of mass destruction, and (2) DHS's activities in accordance with relevant intelligence strategies.Requires the Secretary to ensure that homeland security information analyzed by DHS concerning terrorist threats is provided to state, local, and private entities and the public.
AI Summary
This bill, the WMD Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2013, amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis's capabilities in analyzing threats related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD), which include chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials, as well as global infectious diseases and other public health concerns. The Office will now be responsible for supporting intelligence and risk analysis on these threats, using this information to improve prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts, and importantly, sharing this intelligence and tailored analytical support with state, local, and tribal authorities, as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders, which refers to federal, state, local, and tribal officials and private sector individuals involved in combating biological attacks or widespread health crises. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of DHS coordinate with other government entities, including the Intelligence Community (a term defined in the National Security Act of 1947 as various U.S. agencies involved in intelligence activities), to optimize information sharing, especially classified information, and to allow these partners to provide input on how best to share information with DHS. Furthermore, the Secretary is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing intelligence and information sharing activities related to WMD threats and DHS's adherence to intelligence strategies, and to ensure that analyzed homeland security information about terrorist threats is disseminated to state, local, private entities, and the public.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (on 07/23/2013)
Official Document
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