H.R. 1238 — Reported in House

IB Union Calendar No. 22 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1238 [Report No. 115–42, Part I] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 28, 2017 Mr. Young of Iowa (for himself, Mr. Payne, and Mr. Donovan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned March 16, 2017 Reported from the Committee on Homeland Security March 16, 2017The Committees on Energy and Commerce and Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Health Affairs responsible for coordinating the efforts of the Department of Homeland Security related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Securing our Agriculture and Food Act. 2. Coordination of food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism (a) In general Title V of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 311 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 528. Coordination of Department of Homeland Security efforts related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism (a) Program required The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs, shall carry out a program to coordinate the Department’s efforts related to defending the food, agriculture, and veterinary systems of the United States against terrorism and other high-consequence events that pose a high risk to homeland security. (b) Program elements The coordination program required by subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum, the following: (1) Providing oversight and management of the Department’s responsibilities pursuant to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9–Defense of United States Agriculture and Food. (2) Providing oversight and integration of the Department’s activities related to veterinary public health, food defense, and agricultural security. (3) Leading the Department’s policy initiatives relating to food, animal, and agricultural incidents, and the impact of such incidents on animal and public health. (4) Leading the Department’s policy initiatives relating to overall domestic preparedness for and collective response to agricultural terrorism. (5) Coordinating with other Department components, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as appropriate, on activities related to food and agriculture security and screening procedures for domestic and imported products. (6) Coordinating with appropriate Federal departments and agencies. (7) Other activities as determined necessary by the Secretary. (c) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed as altering or superseding the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to food and agriculture. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 527 the following new item: Sec. 528. Coordination of Department of Homeland Security efforts related to food, agriculture, and veterinary defense against terrorism. . March 16, 2017 Reported from the Committee on Homeland SecurityMarch 16, 2017The Committees on Energy and Commerce and Agriculture discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed