article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``First Responders Support Act of 2002''. SEC. 2. HOMELAND SECURITY LIAISON OFFICERS. (a) Chief Homeland Security Liaison Officer.-- (1) Appointment.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall appoint a Chief Homeland Security Liaison Officer to coordinate the activities of the Homeland Security Liaison Officers, designated under subsection (b). (2) Annual report.--The Chief Homeland Security Liaison Officer shall prepare an annual report, that contains-- (A) a description of the State and local priorities in each of the 50 States based on discovered needs of first responder organizations, including law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, medical providers, emergency service providers, and relief agencies; (B) a needs assessment that identifies homeland security functions in which the Federal role is duplicative of the State or local role, and recommendations to decrease or eliminate inefficiencies between the Federal Government and State and local entities; (C) recommendations to Congress regarding the creation, expansion, or elimination of any program to assist State and local entities to carry out their respective functions under the Department of Homeland Security; and (D) proposals to increase the coordination of Department of Homeland Security priorities within each State and between the States. (b) Homeland Security Liaison Officers.-- (1) Designation.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall designate in each State not less than 1 employee of the Department of Homeland Security to-- (A) serve as the Homeland Security Liaison Officer in that State; and (B) provide coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and State and local first responders, including-- (i) law enforcement agencies; (ii) fire and rescue agencies; (iii) medical providers; (iv) emergency service providers; and (v) relief agencies. (2) Duties.--Each Homeland Security Liaison Officer designated under paragraph (1) shall-- (A) ensure coordination between the Department of Homeland Security and-- (i) State, local, and community-based law enforcement; (ii) fire and rescue agencies; and (iii) medical and emergency relief organizations; (B) identify State and local areas requiring additional information, training, resources, and security; (C) provide training, information, and education regarding homeland security for State and local entities; (D) identify homeland security functions in which the Federal role is duplicative of the State or local role, and recommend ways to decrease or eliminate inefficiencies; (E) assist State and local entities in priority setting based on discovered needs of first responder organizations, including law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue agencies, medical providers, emergency service providers, and relief agencies; (F) assist the Department of Homeland Security to identify and implement State and local homeland security objectives in an efficient and productive manner; and (G) serve as a liaison to the Department of Homeland Security in representing State and local priorities and concerns regarding homeland security. SEC. 3. FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) In General.--There is established an Interagency Committee on First Responders, that shall-- (1) ensure coordination among the Federal agencies involved with-- (A) State, local, and community-based law enforcement; (B) fire and rescue operations; and (C) medical and emergency relief services; (2) identify community-based law enforcement, fire and rescue, and medical and emergency relief services needs; (3) recommend new or expanded grant programs to improve community-based law enforcement, fire and rescue, and medical and emergency relief services; (4) identify ways to streamline the process through which Federal agencies support community-based law enforcement, fire and rescue, and medical and emergency relief services; and (5) assist in priority setting based on discovered needs. (b) Membership.--The Interagency Committee on First Responders shall be composed of-- (1) the Chief Homeland Security Liaison Officer of the Department of Homeland Security; (2) a representative of the Health Resources and Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services; (3) a representative of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the Department of Health and Human Services; (4) a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Department of Homeland Security; (5) a representative of the United States Coast Guard of the Department of Homeland Security; (6) a representative of the Department of Defense; (7) a representative of the Office of Domestic Preparedness of the Department of Homeland Security; (8) a representative of the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Homeland Security; (9) a representative of the Transportation Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security; (10) a representative of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice; and (11) representatives of any other Federal agency identified by the President as having a significant role in the purposes of the Interagency Committee on First Responders. (c) Administration.--The Department of Homeland Security shall provide administrative support to the Interagency Committee on First Responders and the Advisory Council, which shall include-- (1) scheduling meetings; (2) preparing agenda; (3) maintaining minutes and records; (4) producing reports; and (5) reimbursing Advisory Council members. (d) Leadership.--The members of the Interagency Committee on First Responders shall select annually a chairperson. (e) Meetings.--The Interagency Committee on First Responders shall meet-- (1) at the call of the Chief Homeland Security Liaison Officer of the Department of Homeland Security; or (2) not less frequently than once every 3 months. SEC. 4. ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE FEDERAL INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON FIRST RESPONDERS. (a) Establishment.--There is established an Advisory Council for the Federal Interagency Committee on First Responders (in this Act referred to as the ``Advisory Council''). (b) Membership.-- (1) In general.--The Advisory Council shall be composed of not more than 13 members, selected by the Interagency Committee on First Responders. (2) Representation.--The Interagency Committee on First Responders shall ensure that the membership of the Advisory Council represents-- (A) the law enforcement community; (B) fire and rescue organizations; (C) medical and emergency relief services; and (D) both urban and rural communities. (c) Chairperson.--The Advisory Council shall select annually a chairperson from among its members. (d) Compensation of Members.--The members of the Advisory Council shall serve without compensation, but shall be eligible for reimbursement of necessary expenses connected with their service to the Advisory Council. (e) Meetings.--The Advisory Council shall meet with the Interagency Committee on First Responders not less frequently than once every 3 months. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There are authorized to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
summary: First Responders Support Act of 2002 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate in each State at least one employee of the Department of Homeland Security to serve as that State's Homeland Security Liaison Officer and to provide coordination between the Department and State and local first responders. Requires such an Officer to: (1) provide training, information, and education on homeland security for State and local entities; (2) identify homeland security functions in which the Federal role is duplicative of the State or local role and recommend ways to decrease or eliminate inefficiencies; and (3) assist the Department in identifying and implementing State and local homeland security objectives.Requires the Secretary to appoint a Chief Homeland Security Liaison Officer who shall: (1) coordinate the activities of such State Officers; and (2) prepare annual reports on State and local priorities, a needs assessment that identifies duplicative homeland security functions, recommendations regarding program creation, expansion, or elimination to assist State and local entities in carrying out functions under the Department, and proposals to increase the coordination of Department priorities within and between States.Establishes: (1) an Interagency Committee on First Responders that shall ensure coordination among the Federal agencies involved with State, local and community-based law enforcement, fire and rescue operations, and medical and emergency relief services.; and (2) an Advisory Council for such Committee.