Bill > S2534

This bill, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2015, outlines how funds will be allocated for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and includes various provisions governing the use of these funds. Key provisions include restrictions on reprogramming funds, which means moving money between different programs or activities, requiring advance notification to congressional committees for significant changes or new initiatives. The bill also addresses the Department of Homeland Security's Working Capital Fund, which is a fund used to manage the costs of shared services, and details how unexpended balances of prior appropriations can be transferred and merged. Furthermore, it sets limits on the amount of funds that can be transferred between appropriations, generally requiring 15 days' notice to Congress for such transfers, and prohibits the use of funds for certain activities, such as creating new programs or eliminating existing ones without congressional approval, contracting out functions without notification, or amending the oath of allegiance. The bill also includes specific provisions regarding the procurement of goods and services, the use of funds for construction projects, the handling of personal information by contractors, and the processing of immigration benefits, emphasizing the need for background checks to be completed and reviewed. It also addresses the transfer or release of certain detainees, the purchase of facilities, and the use of funds for travel and conferences, with limitations on the number of employees attending international conferences. Finally, the bill includes provisions for rescinding certain funds and amends existing laws related to the visa waiver program and disaster assistance.