State and Local Cybersecurity Improvement Act This bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to establish the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program to address cybersecurity risks and threats to the information systems of state, local, or tribal organizations. Eligible grant applicants (i.e., states and certain Indian tribes) must submit a cybersecurity plan—to be approved by CISA as a condition of disbursement—that describes how the applicant will use the funds to address cybersecurity risks and threats to their information systems. Grant funds must be used to implement, develop, or revise the applicant's cybersecurity plan or to assist with activities that address imminent cybersecurity risks or threats. CISA must establish a State and Local Cybersecurity Resilience Committee to provide state, local, and tribal stakeholder expertise, situational awareness, and recommendations to CISA on how to address cybersecurity risks and threats. CISA must develop and maintain a resource guide for state, local, tribal, and territorial government officials to assist with identifying, preparing for, detecting, protecting against, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity risks, threats, and incidents. In addition, CISA must develop and make publicly available a Homeland Security Strategy to Improve the Cybersecurity of State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments. Finally, CISA must assess the feasibility of implementing a short-term rotational program to detail approved state, local, tribal, and territorial government employees to CISA in cyber workforce positions.
Cybersecurity Vulnerability Remediation Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take certain actions with the goal of countering cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center of DHS may disseminate protocols to counter cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including in circumstances in which such vulnerabilities exist because software or hardware is no longer supported by a vendor. The Science and Technology Directorate may establish a competition to develop remedies for cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to assist trusted companies (i.e., companies determined to pose no national security threat) and relevant stakeholders with participation in organizations that set standards for telecommunications, wireless devices, and related equipment.
Cyber Sense Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a voluntary Cyber Sense program to test the cybersecurity of products and technologies intended for use in the bulk-power system. The bulk-power system includes facilities and control systems necessary for operating an interconnected electric energy transmission network.
DHS Blue Campaign Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand its Blue Campaign, which coordinates DHS actions to identify and prevent human trafficking. The bill requires DHS to (1) provide web-based training for law enforcement and corrections personnel, and (2) establish an advisory board for the campaign.
Consumer Protection and Recovery Act This bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to seek monetary relief in federal court from businesses that engage in unlawful commercial practices such as false advertising, consumer fraud, and anticompetitive conduct. Specifically, the FTC may seek restitution in these cases for losses, rescission or reformation of contracts, refund of money, return of property, or disgorgement of unjust enrichment. On April 22, 2021, the Supreme Court held in AMG Capital Management, LLC v. Federal Trade Commission that the Federal Trade Commission Act does not authorize the FTC to seek, or a court to award, such relief.
Securing America From Epidemics Act This bill authorizes the United States to participate in the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, an alliance of countries and private partners whose mission is to finance and coordinate the development of vaccines for high-priority, epidemic-potential threats. The President must report on certain matters concerning U.S. participation in coalition activities, including how this participation supports health security and biodefense priorities.
Transportation Security Public Health Threat Preparedness Act of 2021 This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to analyze the preparedness of the U.S. transportation security system for public health threats. Additionally, the TSA may provide its personnel to other components of the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to improve coordination with such components and agencies to prepare for, protect against, and respond to public health threats to the transportation security system.
Security Screening During COVID-19 Act This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to implement a plan to enhance security operations at airports during the COVID-19 national emergency in order to reduce risk of the spread of the coronavirus at passenger screening checkpoints and among the TSA workforce. The TSA may consult with stakeholders and their workforce when developing the plan. Additionally, the TSA is not required to issue or implement the plan upon the termination of the COVID-19 national emergency. The Government Accountability Office must issue a report on the implementation of the plan within one year after it is issued.
Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2021 This bill addresses threat information sharing and law enforcement training regarding the enhancement of security for surface transportation assets. A surface transportation asset includes facilities, equipment, or systems used to provide transportation services by a public transportation carrier, railroad carrier, or an entity offering scheduled, fixed-route transportation services by bus. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence analysts from the Transportation Security Administration and the Office of Intelligence and Analysis to locations with fusion centers in jurisdictions with high-risk surface transportation assets to enhance the security of such assets, including by improving timely sharing of classified information regarding terrorism and other threats. The bill also authorizes DHS to develop a training program to enhance the protection, preparedness, and response capabilities of law enforcement agencies with respect to terrorism and other threats at a surface transportation asset.
Transportation Security Transparency Improvement Act This bill addresses policies of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) related to sensitive security information and international aviation security. Among other requirements, the TSA must ensure clear and consistent designation of Sensitive Security Information , including reasonable security justifications for such designation; develop and implement a schedule to regularly review and update TSA Sensitive Security Information Identification guidelines; conduct outreach to relevant stakeholders (e.g., air carriers, airport operators, and state and local law enforcement) that regularly are granted access to Sensitive Security Information to raise awareness of the TSA's policies and guidelines governing the designation and use of Sensitive Security Information; and develop and implement guidelines with respect to last point of departure airports to conduct engagement with foreign partners on the implementation of security directives and emergency amendments.
Transportation Security Preparedness Act of 2021 This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to survey its workforce regarding the TSA's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It must also develop and biennially review a transportation security preparedness plan for addressing future outbreaks of communicable diseases. The Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress that contains the results of a study assessing the plan, including an analysis of (1) whether such plan aligns with relevant federal plans and strategies for communicable disease outbreaks, and (2) the extent to which the TSA is prepared to implement the plan.
