House and Senate Pass 9/11 Commission Recommendations

July 27, 2007 -- Today, the U.S. House of Representatives, in concurrence with the Senate, passed the Conference report of H.R. 1, the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007,” also known as the 9/11 Commission Recommendations bill. In a statement issued today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said, “When H.R. 1 is law, homeland security grants will finally be allocated based on risk. Targeted communities will get the Federal help they need. First responders will have interoperable communications."

Among the bill's provisions:

• A dedicated interoperability grant program to improve interoperability at local, state, and federal levels.
  
  
• Greater distribution of homeland security grants for states and high-risk urban areas based on risk of terrorism, while still ensuring that all states have funds available for basic preparedness. Each state is guaranteed a minimum of .375 percent of funds in FY 2008 to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, scaling down to a minimum of 0.35 percent in 2012.
  
  
• $1.8 billion authorization for FY 2008 to assist states and high-risk urban areas in preparing for terrorist threats; $400 million authorization for Emergency Management Performance Grants to assist states in preparing for all-hazards, and $400 million annually beginning in FY09 for interoperable emergency communications – all as part of an overall effort to ensure that all states have basic capabilities to prepare for and respond to both man-made and natural disasters.

Side by Side Summary of the Act