Pathways to Improving Homeland Security At the Local Level Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, it is part of DHS' statutory mission to support State and local law enforcement, and the Office of State and Local Law Enforcement has the responsibility of proactively identifying ways in which the Department can support these important stakeholders.

The Pathways to Improving Homeland Security at the Local Level Act, sponsored by the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings), will ensure that State and local law enforcement receive vital information on available DHS resources and programs.

Under the bill, the Office of State and Local Law Enforcement will annually produce and disseminate a catalog that details the Department of Homeland Security training, publications, programs, and services available to non-Federal law enforcement agencies. The office must disseminate the catalog within 30 days of production to State and local law enforcement entities.

This catalog is currently being produced by the office, and the bill requires them to continue its production.

DHS also is required to share the catalog through the Homeland Security Information Network. Using this existing information-sharing platform will expand, hopefully, the number of State and local law enforcement partners who receive it.

This bill is intended to increase awareness of DHS tools and resources available to assist State and local law enforcement.

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Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida for introducing this important bill to ensure State and local law enforcement are aware of the resources DHS can provide to them.

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