,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cbgc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #ac1 #bjai,mr4 ,higgins of ,louisiana introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb to establish programs to combat transnational criminal organizations1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,combating ,transnational ,criminal ,organizations ,act of #bjai or the ,combating ,t,c,os ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,integrated border enforcement teams 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,c of title ,,iv of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bca et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #dcg4 ,integrated ,border ,enforcement ,teams 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,department a program to be known as the ,integrated ,border ,enforcement ,team program 7referred to in this section as ,,ibet74 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of ,,ibet is to enhance border security in a manner that results in a cooperative approach between the ,united ,states and ,canada to-- 7#a7 strengthen security between designated ports of entry2 7#b7 detect1 investigate1 prevent1 and respond to terrorism1 transnational criminal organizations1 and other violations of law related to border security2 7#c7 facilitate collaboration among components and offices within the ,department and international partners2 7#d7 execute coordinated activities in furtherance of border security and homeland security2 and 7#e7 enhance information-sharing1 including the dissemination of homeland security information among such components and offices4 7c7 ,composition and establishment of units 7#a7 ,composition ,,ibet units may be comprised of personnel from the following3 7,a7 ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection1 led by the ,u4,s4 ,border ,patrol4 7,b7 ,u4,s4 ,immigration and ,customs ,enforcement1 led by ,homeland ,security ,investigations4 7,c7 ,other ,department personnel1 as appropriate4 7,d7 ,other ,federal1 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and foreign law enforcement agencies1 as appropriate4 7,e7 ,other appropriate personnel at the discretion of the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,establishment of units ,the ,secretary is authorized to establish ,,ibet units in regions in which such units can contribute to ,,ibet missions1 as appropriate4 ,when establishing an ,,ibet unit1 the ,secretary shall apply risk-based criteria that takes into consideration the following3 7,a7 ,whether the region in which the ,,ibet unit would be established is significantly impacted by cross-border threats1 including threats posed by transnational criminal organizations and terrorist groups4 7,b7 ,the availability of ,federal1 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and foreign law enforcement resources to participate in the ,,ibet unit4 7,c7 ,whether1 in accordance with paragraph 7#c71 other joint cross-border initiatives already take place within the region in which the ,,ibet unit would be established4 7#c7 ,duplication of efforts ,in determining whether to establish a new ,,ibet unit or to expand an existing ,,ibet unit in a given region1 the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,,ibet unit under consideration does not duplicate the efforts of other existing interagency task forces or centers within such region1 including the ,border ,enforcement ,security ,task ,force established under section #dcb4 7d7 ,operation ,after determining the regions in which to establish ,,ibet units under subsection 7c77#b71 the ,secretary may-- 7#a7 direct the assignment of ,federal personnel to such ,,ibet units2 7#b7 take other actions to assist ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal entities to participate in such ,,ibet units1 including providing financial assistance1 as appropriate1 for operational1 administrative1 and technological costs associated with such participation2 7#c7 direct the development of policy and guidance necessary to identify1 assess1 and integrate the available partner resources in relevant border sector security assessments and resource planning documents2 7#d7 establish targets and performance measures for such ,,ibet units2 and 7#e7 direct leadership of such ,,ibet units to monitor progress on such targets and performance measures4 7e7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall coordinate ,,ibet activities with other similar border security and antiterrorism programs within the ,department in accordance with the strategic objectives of the ,cross-,border ,law ,enforcement ,advisory ,committee4 7f7 ,memoranda of understanding ,the ,secretary may enter into memoranda of understanding with appropriate representatives of the entities specified in subsection 7c77#a7 as necessary to carry out this section4 ,such memoranda with entities specified in subsection 7c77#a77;,g7 shall be entered into with the concurrence of the ,secretary of ,state4 7g7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which ,,ibet is established and biannually thereafter for the following six years1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate a report that-- 7#a7 describes targets and performance measures for ,,ibet units2 7#b7 describes the effectiveness of ,,ibet units in fulfilling the purposes specified in subsection 7b72 7#c7 identifies and assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border ,,ibet operations1 including challenges faced by international partners1 and planned corrective actions2 7#d7 identifies and assesses costs associated with ,,ibet units broken down by relevant categories designated at the ,secretary's discretion2 7#e7 identifies ways to support joint training for ,,ibet stakeholder agencies and radio interoperability to allow for secure cross-border radio communications2 and 7#f7 identifies and assesses ways ,,ibet1 ,border ,tunnel ,task ,forces1 ,border ,enforcement ,security ,task ,forces1 and the ,integrated ,cross-,border ,maritime ,law ,enforcement ,operation ,program can better align operations1 including interdiction and investigation activities4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb is amended by striking the items relating to sections #dce and #dcf and inserting the following new items3 ,sec4 #dce4 ,maritime operations coordination plan4 ,sec4 #dcf4 ,maritime security capabilities assessments4 ,sec4 #dcg4 ,integrated ,border ,enforcement ,teams4 4 #c4 ,border tunnel detection 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,b of title ,,iv of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #baa et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following new section3 #dbj4 ,border ,tunnel ,task ,forces 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,department a program to be known as the ,border ,tunnel ,task ,force program 7referred to in this section as ,,bttf74 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of ,,bttf established pursuant to subsection 7a7 is to enhance and integrate border security efforts by identifying1 reducing1 and remediating cross-border tunnel related threats by-- 7#a7 facilitating collaboration among ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal law enforcement agencies to execute coordinated activities2 and 7#b7 enhancing information-sharing1 including the dissemination of homeland security information1 among such agencies4 7c7 ,composition and establishment of border tunnel task force units 7#a7 ,composition ,,bttf units may be comprised of personnel from the following3 7,a7 ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection1 led by the ,u4,s4 ,border ,patrol4 7,b7 ,u4,s4 ,immigration and ,customs ,enforcement1 led by ,homeland ,security ,investigations4 7,c7 ,other ,department components and offices1 as appropriate4 7,d7 ,other ,federal1 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and foreign law enforcement agencies1 as appropriate4 7,e7 ,other appropriate personnel at the discretion of the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,establishment of units ,the ,secretary is authorized to establish ,,bttf units in regions in which the ,secretary determines such units can contribute to the ,department's border security efforts to identify1 reduce1 and remediate cross-border tunnel threats4 ,when establishing a ,,bttf unit1 the ,secretary shall apply risk-based criteria that takes into consideration the following3 7,a7 ,whether the areas in which such ,,bttf units would be established are significantly impacted by cross-border tunnel threats4 7,b7 ,the availability of ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal law enforcement resources to participate in such ,,bttf units4 7,c7 ,whether other similar joint cross-border tunnel detection initiatives already take place within the region in which the ,,bttf unit would be established4 7d7 ,duplication of efforts ,in determining whether to establish a new ,,bttf unit or to expand an existing ,,bttf unit in a given region1 the ,secretary shall ensure that the ,,bttf unit under consideration does not unnecessarily duplicate the efforts of other existing interagency task forces or centers within such jurisdiction4 7e7 ,operation ,after determining the regions in which to establish ,,bttf units under subsection 7c77#b71 the ,secretary may-- 7#a7 direct the assignment of ,federal personnel to such ,,bttf units2 7#b7 take other actions to assist ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and ,tribal entities to participate in such ,,bttf units1 including providing financial assistance1 as appropriate1 for operational1 administrative1 and technological costs associated with such participation2 7#c7 direct the development of policy and guidance necessary to identify1 assess1 and integrate the available partner resources in relevant border sector security assessments and resource planning documents2 7#d7 establish targets and performance measures for ,,bttf units2 7#e7 direct leadership of each ,,bttf unit to monitor progress on such targets and performance measures for each such unit2 and 7#f7 dedicate appropriate research and development resources to improve cross-border tunnel detection and remediation capabilities4 7f7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall coordinate ,,bttf activities with other similar border security and antiterrorism programs within the ,department that handle matters relating to cross-border tunnel threat detection4 7g7 ,authorization of tunnel remediation access ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 ,u4,s4 ,customs and ,border ,protection shall have immediate access to ,federal land for the remediation of tunnels used to facilitate illicit cross-border activities across the international borders of the ,united ,states4 7h7 ,tunnel detection and remediation technology pilot program ,not later than #ij days after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program to test and evaluate new and emerging technologies for the purpose of detection and remediation of cross-border tunnel threats4 7i7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date on which ,,bttf is established and biannually thereafter for the following six years1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate a report that-- 7#a7 describes targets and performance measures for ,,bttf units2 7#b7 describes the effectiveness of ,,bttf in fulfilling the purposes specified in subsection 7b72 7#c7 identifies and assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border ,,bttf operations and planned corrective actions2 7#d7 identifies and assesses costs associated with ,,bttf units broken down by relevant categories designated at the ,secretary's discretion2 7#e7 identifies ways to support joint training for ,,bttf stakeholder agencies2 7#f7 identifies and assesses ways ,,bttf1 ,,ibet1 and ,border ,enforcement ,security ,task ,forces can better align operations1 including interdiction and investigation activities2 and 7#g7 identifies and assesses gaps in ,,bttf technological capability to detect cross-border tunnel threats4 4 7b7 ,clerical amendment ,the table of contents in section #a7;b7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #dai the following new item3 ,sec4 #dbj4 ,border ,tunnel ,task ,forces4 4 #d4 ,border ,enforcement ,security ,task ,force updates 7a7 ,updated purpose ,subsection 7b7 of section #dcb of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bdj7 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a71 by striking and after the semicolon at the end2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#c7 detecting1 investigating1 preventing1 and responding to terrorism1 transnational criminal organizations1 and other violations of law related to border security4 4 7b7 ,updated considerations for establishment of units ,paragraph 7#b7 of section #dcb7;c7 of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bdj7;c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,a7 in the first sentence1 by striking jurisdictions and inserting regions2 7,b7 by striking ,before and inserting ,when2 and 7,c7 by striking shall consider and inserting shall apply risk-based criteria that takes into consideration2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by inserting and after the semicolon at the end2 and 7#c7 by striking subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d7 and inserting the following new subparagraph3 7,c7 ,whether1 in accordance with paragraph 7#c71 other joint cross-border initiatives already take place within the region in which the ,,best unit would be established4 4 7c7 ,updated report ,subsection 7e7 of section #dcb of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bdj7 is amended to read as follows3 7e7 ,reports ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this subsection and biannually thereafter for the following six years1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate a report that-- 7#a7 describes targets and performance measures for ,,best units2 7#b7 describes the effectiveness of ,,best units in fulfilling the purposes specified in subsection 7b72 7#c7 identifies and assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border ,,best operations1 including challenges faced by international partners1 and planned corrective actions2 7#d7 identifies and assesses costs associated with ,,best units1 broken down by relevant categories designated at the ,secretary's discretion2 7#e7 identifies ways to support joint training for ,,best stakeholder agencies2 7#f7 identifies and assesses ways ,,bttf under section #dbj1 ,,ibet units under section #dcg1 and ,,best units can better align operations1 including interdiction and investigation activities2 and 7#g7 identifies and assesses gaps in ,,best technological capability to detect transnational criminal organizations or terrorist threats4 4 7d7 ,updated report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act and biannually thereafter for the following six years1 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security shall submit to the ,committee on ,homeland ,security of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,homeland ,security and ,governmental ,affairs of the ,senate a report that-- 7#a7 describes the effectiveness of ,,best units under section #dcb of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bdj71 as amended by this ,act2 7#b7 assesses the impact of certain challenges on the sustainment of cross-border ,,best operations1 including challenges faced by international partners1 and planned corrective actions2 7#c7 assesses costs associated with ,,best units1 broken down by relevant categories designated at the ,secretary's discretion2 7#d7 addresses ways to support joint training for ,,best stakeholder agencies2 7#e7 assesses how ,,bttf under section #dbj of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7as added by this ,act71 ,,ibet units under section #dcg of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7as added by this ,act71 and ,,best units can better align operations1 including interdiction and investigation activities2 and 7#f7 assesses the gaps in ,,best technological capability to detect cross-border tunnel threats4 7e7 ,technical and conforming amendments ,section #dcb of the ,homeland ,security ,act of #bjjb 7#f ,u4,s4,c4 #bdj7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,d71 by inserting a semicolon at the end2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking jurisdiction each place it appears and inserting region2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7d71 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking jurisdictions and inserting regions4