Weekly Update & Analysis Your Premier Analysis of Federal Public Safety Policy

July 12 - 16, 2021

The Brooks Bawden Moore Weekly Update and Analysis highlights the previous week’s floor and committee activities within the US Senate and House of Representatives, and this week’s congressional activities that relate to law enforcement and homeland security matters. The weekly update also lists legislation introduced the previous week, which may be of interest to the law enforcement and homeland security communities. Please let us know if you would like to know more about any of the items described in the update. Additionally, please feel free to distribute this product as you see fit.

Inside This Issue: Previous Updates:

Highlighted Issues FY 2022 WH Budget This Week’s Hearings/Markups 117th Congress Leadership Legislation on the Floor FY 2021 Appropriations Chart Previous Hearings/Markups Treasury Guidance for State & Previous Floor Actions Local Aid Introduced Legislation Weekly 7/5/21 Upcoming Events Weekly 6/28/21 About BBM Weekly 6/21/21 Sign up to Receive Updates Weekly 6/14/21 Weekly 6/7/21

The Senate was in session this week, approving the nomination of Jen Easterly as Director of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The House Appropriations Committee marked-up its FY 2022 Homeland Security funding bill and its Commerce, Justice Science funding bill, which includes funding for various law enforcement grant programs. Additionally, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the federal governments use of facial recognition technology. The House Energy & Commerce, Health Subcommittee marked-up multiple bills to tackle the opioid and drug epidemic, including the Methamphetamine Response Act, which would declare methamphetamine an “emerging drug threat,” and mandate an emerging threat response plan for the drug. You can read more on these bills here.

ONDCP Nomination - President Biden has nominated Rahul Gupta to be the next Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Gupta is a primary- care doctor who previously served as West Virginia’s health commissioner.

CRI-TAC Spotlight: Recruitment and Retention for Workforce Diversity - The COPS Office recently released a guidebook to provide the law enforcement field with information about existing resources for promoting workforce diversity through a variety of staffing mechanisms. It is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to promote awareness of research and professional publications that may not have been visible or accessible to practitioners. You can read that guidebook here.

Job Announcements: Deputy Director, Intelligence, SCN - The Secure Community Network (SCN) is seeking to hire a Deputy Director, Intelligence, which will be responsible for the operations of a Security Operations Center for an NGO to include management of staff, development of policies, goals and objectives, budgets, program activities, and administration of pertinent laws, and coordination of communications with Federal Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, countrywide Fusion Centers, state, municipal, military, tribal, and private, public, non-profit and academic sectors as well as maintain Memorandum of Understanding with various stakeholders to ensure liaison efforts; fosters intelligence and law enforcement community connectivity with all entities. You can find more information here. Interested applicants should contact Ron Brooks from BBM at [email protected] or 415-748-0835 for details on the application submission process.

Job Announcements: Drug Intelligence Officer, Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area - The NW HIDTA seeks well qualified DIO candidates to support the ORS. This position will support efforts of key partners in the development and implementation of drug overdose information sharing systems. The DIO position is that of an independent contractor. You can find more information here.

Job Announcements: Intelligence Analyst, Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area - The NW HIDTA seeks well qualified intelligence analyst candidates to bolster Investigative Support Center operations. This position will support efforts of key partners conducting criminal investigations and provide strategic, tactical, and operational support to numerous drug task forces. The intelligence analyst position is that of an independent contractor. You can find more information here.

Job Announcements: Executive Assistant, Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area - The NW HIDTA seeks a well qualified executive assistant to work closely with the management team and stakeholders alike to accomplish a wide range of executive and management functions. The incumbent will further the program’s mission by providing a high-level of administrative and operational support. The executive assistant position is that of an independent contractor. You can find more information here.

July 2021 The Rose and Shield Insider - The July 2021 edition of The Rose and Shield Insider from the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum is now available, and highlights the grand reopening of the National Law Enforcement Museum on August 27, a new post-9/11 exhibit at the museum, and a highlight of the upcoming Police Weekend 2021 to be held October 13- 17. You can view the newsletter here.

NEW CICC Five in 5 Newsletter (July 16) - The most recent CICC 5 in 5 was released, and includes a Web event discussing law enforcement mental health and the process of asking for help, a webinar providing an overview of peer recovery support services (PRSS) as part of a comprehensive program to address substance abuse within tribal communities, and a webinar discussing how the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN) have joined together to develop a presentation specifically designed for law enforcement focused on cybersecurity and the roles our organizations play in helping to combat this ever-evolving problem. You can view the CICC Five in 5 here.

NEW July RISS Insider - The latest RISS Insider is now available, and features the work and resources that RISS analysts and staff can provide during an investigation. RISS analysts develop products such as cell tower mapping, link charts to illustrate roles and relationships, 2D and 3D crime scene diagrams, and telephone-toll analysis. You can view the July RISS Insider here.

NEW +RISS Equals Results (July 14) - The latest edition of +RISS Equals Results is now available and features NESPIN intelligence research staff assisting in an investigation to help identify a group committing fraud. The NESPIN staff helped connect the businesses and suspects to each other within the scheme. You can read the latest +RISS Equals Results here.

Fiscal Year 2021 Department of Justice Grant Solicitations - The Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs continues to release fiscal year 2021 grant solicitations. You can find the current list of the solicitations here.

Articles of Interest

Drug overdose deaths in 2020 hit highest number ever recorded, CDC data shows CNN | Maggie Fox Drug overdose deaths rose by close to 30% in the United States in 2020, hitting the highest number ever recorded, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday. More than 93,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2020, according to provisional data released by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. That's a 29.4% increase from the 72,151 deaths projected for 2019. "Overdose deaths from synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine also increased in 2020 compared to 2019. Cocaine deaths also increased in 2020, as did deaths from natural and semi-synthetic opioids (such as prescription pain medication)," the NCHS said in a statement. Continue reading here.

Schumer launches long-shot bid for legal weed Politico | Natalie Fertig Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer released sweeping draft legislation Wednesday to legalize weed, officially kickstarting a difficult debate in his chamber that also makes a major splash for one of his campaign promises. The measure floated by the New York Democrat — along with Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) — proposes removing federal penalties on cannabis, expunging nonviolent federal cannabis-related criminal records and letting states decide if or how to legalize the drug. Continue reading here.

Biden picks former West Virginia health official as nation’s drug czar The Washington Post | Dan Diamond President Biden on Tuesday nominated Rahul Gupta, a former West Virginia health official, to lead the Office of National Drug Control Policy and steer the response to the opioid epidemic. Gupta, a primary-care doctor who previously served as West Virginia’s health commissioner, led Biden’s transition efforts for the drug policy office and serves as the top health official at maternal and child advocacy group March of Dimes, would be the first physician to serve as drug czar if confirmed by the Senate. “Dr. Gupta brings firsthand experience as a medical doctor and public health official using evidence-based strategies to address the overdose epidemic in West Virginia,” the White House said in a statement. “We hope he will be confirmed by the Senate soon.” Continue reading here.

Atlantic City is poised to shut down its syringe exchange — amid warnings of dire public health consequences The Philadelphia Enquirer | Aubrey Whelan Long before anyone had even heard of COVID-19, Atlantic City — like Philadelphia and other metro areas — was battling the twin epidemics of HIV infections and injection drug use. Now, health advocates warn, the seaside resort’s desire to make its storied Boardwalk and the surrounding neighborhood more appealing to tourists is imperiling the very service that helped abate the HIV crisis and has saved the lives of people in addiction. Later this month, most of the City Council is expected to vote in favor of an ordinance to close Atlantic City’s syringe exchange. Continue reading here.

Chinese money launderers team up with Mexican cartels to profit billions from US fentanyl crisis Washington Examiner | Anna Giaritelli Chinese money launderers and fentanyl-makers have gone into business with Mexican drug cartels, teaming up to make billions of dollars a year trafficking the powerful opioid that is killing thousands of people in the United States. The fentanyl boom facilitated by China represents a third wave of the opioid epidemic, following first an increase in the abuse of prescription painkillers around the turn of the century and then a rise in heroin use. But the fentanyl phase is different in that it involves an international operation of people in multiple countries working together to produce and transport the drugs and then secretly shuttle the profits across U.S. borders. Continue reading here.

Biden balances fighting rising crime, reforming police AP | Jonathan Lemire, Michael Belsamo, and Colleen Long Facing rising fears of summer violence, President is embarking on a political high-wire act, trying to balance his strong backing for law enforcement with the police reform movement championed by many of his supporters. His focus Monday was on crime. Biden met at the White House with urban leaders — including Eric Adams, the heavy favorite to be the next mayor of New York City — about increased shootings, as Democrats warily watch a surge across the nation. Though limited to what can be done at the federal level, Biden promised to support efforts on the ground to combat crime. Continue reading here.

House Appropriations Committee - CJS Subcommittee Markup July 12 @ 3:00 pm - 2118 Rayburn H.R. XXXX - FY 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act Status: Approved by the CJS Subcommittee on 7/12. Summary: Bill text has not been released.

House Judiciary Committee - Crime Subcommittee Hearing Facial Recognition Technology: Examining Its Use by Law Enforcement July 13 @ 10:00 am - Virtual Hearing Summary: The Crime Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing to discuss the use of facial recognition by law enforcement. The hearing was convened following the release of a Government Accountability Office report which called on federal law enforcement agencies to track their use of facial recognition technology from the private sector and local governments and assess potential threats to privacy and risks of bias. Chair Sheila Jackson Lee and Ranking Member Andy Biggs both expressed a desire for more oversight of the technology and the development of new regulations. Chair Jackson Lee highlighted several successful uses of the technology including the identification of several individuals involved in the breach of the US Capitol on January 6, the identification of the shooter involved in the Capital Gazette massacre, and the identification of victims of sex trafficking by matching persons photos to online ads. Chair Jackson Lee said “This hearing is not meant to prejudge facial recognition technology or its value to law enforcement. But rather, it is an important first step to proactively engage with this technology and adopt and adapt our laws accordingly.”

House Appropriations Committee - Full Committee Markup July 13 @ 10:00 am - 1100 Longworth H.R. XXXX - FY 2022 Homeland Security Appropriations Act Status: Approved by the House Appropriations Committee on 7/13; Approved by the Homeland Security Subcommittee on 6/30. Summary: This legislation funds the Department of Homeland Security for FY 2022. Highlights include:

• $610 million for SHSGP – Level funding o $90 million for Stonegarden o $15 million for Tribal o $90 million for Nonprofits • $705 million for UASI – Level funding o $90 million for Nonprofits • $110 million for Public Transportation Security Assistance, Railroad Security Assistance, and Over-the-Road Bus Security Assistance • $110,000,000 for Port Security Grants

Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee - Full Committee Markup July 14 @ 9:15 am - 342 Dirksen S. 2123 - Pray Safe Act Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: To establish the Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Security Best Practices for Faith-Based Organizations and Houses of Worship, and for other purposes.

S. 1917 - K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: To establish a K–12 education cybersecurity initiative, and for other purposes.

S. 2201 - Supply Chain Security Training Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: To manage supply chain risk through counterintelligence training, and for other purposes.

S. 2293 - Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce (CREW) Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide certain employment rights to reservists of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes.

S. 1324 - Civilian Cyber Security Reserve Act Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: To establish a Civilian Cyber Security Reserve as a pilot project to address the cyber security needs of the United States with respect to national security, and for other purposes.

S. 1009 - Homeland Procurement Reform (HOPR) Act Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that procurement of certain items, such as body armor and other protective gear, meets specified requirements, including that a fraction of procurement funds be used for items manufactured by U.S. small businesses. The bill sets forth requirements for waivers based on a national emergency. DHS shall (1) ensure that covered items are purchased at a fair and reasonable price, and (2) study the adequacy of uniform allowances provided to employees of frontline operational components (i.e., Customs and Border Protection and other listed agencies and entities).

H.R. 367 - Homeland Security Acquisition Professional Career Program Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: This bill establishes in the Department of Homeland Security an acquisition professional career program to develop a cadre of acquisition professionals. The Management Directorate shall administer the program, including carrying out recruitment efforts and providing specialized acquisition training.

H.R. 408 - Department of Homeland Security Mentor-Protégé Program Act Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: This bill provides statutory authority for the mentor-protégé program of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under which a mentor firm enters into an agreement with a protégé firm to assist the latter to compete for prime contracts and subcontracts of DHS.

H.R. 473 - Trusted Traveler Reconsideration and Restoration Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the Senate HSGAC on 7/14. Summary: This bill directs (1) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review Department of Homeland Security (DHS) trusted traveler programs, and (2) DHS to extend the enrollment period where an individual's participation in a trusted traveler program was revoked in error. The GAO review must examine the extent to which DHS tracks data and monitors trends related to trusted traveler programs; whether DHS coordinates with the heads of other relevant federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial entities regarding redress procedures for disqualifying offenses not covered by its own redress processes but that may impact an individual's enrollment in a trusted traveler program; how DHS may improve access to reconsideration procedures regarding a disqualifying offense for enrollment in a trusted traveler program that requires the involvement of other federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial entities; and the extent to which travelers are informed about reconsideration procedures regarding enrollment in a trusted traveler program.

Senate Judiciary Committee - Full Committee Nomination Hearing Nomination of Matthew G. Olsen, to be an Assistant Attorney General, National Security Division July 14 @ 10:00 am - 226 Dirksen

House Energy & Commerce Committee - Health Subcommittee Markup July 15 @ 11:00 am - 2123 Rayburn H.R. 654 - Drug-Free Communities Pandemic Relief Act Status: Approved by the House E&C Health Subcommittee on 7/15. Summary: This bill authorizes the Drug-Free Communities Support Program, subject to certain limitations, to waive matching funds requirements applicable to certain grants for reducing substance use among youth. Before waiving these requirements, the program must determine that a grantee is unable to raise funds because of the COVID-19 (i.e. coronavirus disease 2019) emergency. Currently, the Office of National Drug Control Policy administers this program, and community coalitions that receive the grants must match a specified percentage of the federal award amount with nonfederal funds, including in-kind contributions.

H.R. 2051 - Methamphetamine Response Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the House E&C Health Subcommittee on 7/15. Summary: This bill designates methamphetamine as an emerging drug threat (a new and growing trend in the use of an illicit drug or class of drug). It also directs the Office of National Drug Control Policy to implement a methamphetamine response plan.

H.R. 2379 - State Opioid Response Grant Authorization Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the House E&C Health Subcommittee on 7/15. Summary: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and expands the scope of the State Opioid Response Grant program that is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Current law limits the use of these grants to specifically address the opioid crisis and opioid use disorders, while this bill allows the grants to address substance use disorders more broadly.

H.R. 2364 - Synthetic Opioid Danger Awareness Act Status: Approved by the House E&C Health Subcommittee on 7/15. Summary: This bill requires several federal agencies to provide education and training related to synthetic opioids, including fentanyl and its analogues. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must launch a public education campaign on the dangers of synthetic opioids and related issues, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) must produce training materials to prevent exposure to synthetic opioids for first responders and others who are at high risk of such exposure. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must disseminate the NIOSH training to ambulance transport personnel, local sheriff deputies, and other first responders and individuals in high-risk occupations.

H.R. 2355 - Opioid Prescription Verification Act of 2021 Status: Approved by the House E&C Health Subcommittee on 7/15. Summary: To facilitate responsible, informed dispensing of controlled substances and other prescribed medications, and for other purposes.

House Homeland Security Committee - Full Committee Hearing Securing the Homeland: Reforming DHS to Meet Today's Threats July 15 @ 12:00 pm - Virtual Hearing Summary: The House Homeland Security Committee convened a hearing to discuss the introduction of H.R. 4357, The DHS Reform Act of 2021. The DHS Reform Act of 2021 (H.R. 4357) contains a wide range of Department reform proposals, including ; restricting the use of ‘acting’ officials, Establishing the Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE), led by an Assistant Secretary, transferring the assets, personnel, and functions previously authorized to be performed by the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement to OPE, establishing a Deputy Assistant Secretary for State and Local Law Enforcement under OPE, creating a new Associate Secretary responsible for overseeing DHS’s law enforcement, including at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, strengthening civil rights and civil liberties protections in DHS policies, programs, and activities, requiring DHS’s use-of-force policy be updated to emphasize de- escalation, requiring greater accountability and transparency when DHS deploys officers to cities and towns, and authorizing a range of programs to improve workforce morale within DHS. Chairman Thompson reiterated his support for and longstanding work to consolidate congressional jurisdiction, and criticized the current jurisdictional issues that are preventing a full DHS authorization bill and more sweeping legislative reforms.

House Appropriations Committee - Full Committee Markup July 15 @ 10:00 am - 1100 Longworth H.R. XXXX - FY 2022 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act Status: Approved by the House Appropriations Committee on 7/15; To be marked-up by the CJS Subcommittee on 7/12. Draft Committee Report: HERE Summary: This legislation funds the Department of Justice for FY 2022. BBM will release a detailed summary shortly. Highlights include:

• $684.5 million for Byrne JAG o $360.1 million after carveouts • $44 million for the RISS program

Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee - Full Committee Nomination Hearing Nominations of Robert L. Santos to be Director, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, and Ed Gonzalez to be Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security July 15 @ 10:15 am - 342 Dirksen Summary: Sheriff Ed Gonzalez appeared before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee as President Biden's nominee to Assistant Secretary for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Sheriff Ed Gonzalez is in his second term as Sheriff of Harris County, . Harris County is the largest Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas and the third largest nationally. Sheriff Gonzalez served 18 years with the Police Department, first as a civilian employee, then police officer and retired as rank of Sergeant. After retiring, Gonzalez served three terms on the .

House Homeland Security Committee - Emergency Preparedness Committee Examining The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office July 16 @ 10:00 am - Virtual Hearing

Upcoming Scheduled Hearings/Markups:

House Homeland Security Committee - Transportations Security Subcommittee Hearing Taking to the Skies: Examining TSA’s Strategy for Addressing Increased Summer Travel July 20 @ 10:00 am - Virtual Hearing

House Homeland Security Committee - Intelligence Subcommittee Hearing