Homeland Security Task Force Act
Summary: The Homeland Security Task Force Act directs a study of the state’s homeland security needs.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
This Act shall be called the “Homeland Security Task Force Act.”
SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE
(A) FINDINGS—The legislature finds that:
1. Almost five years have passed since the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, and months have passed since Hurricane Katrina.
2. It is an appropriate time to review the state’s homeland security and emergency preparedness plans, and identify any needs or resource gaps.
3. It is essential to involve and educate the legislature and the public regarding state plans for homeland security and emergency preparedness.
(B) PURPOSE—This law is enacted to study the state’s homeland security needs.
SECTION 3. HOMELAND SECURITY TASK FORCE
(A) DEFINITION—In this section, “homeland security” means preparations for preventing a terrorist attack or preparations for responding to terrorism, a natural disaster, or an accident that has the potential to adversely affect the lives of many state residents.
(B) ESTABLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE
1. There is established a Homeland Security Task Force, composed of 11 members appointed as follows:
a. Two members of the Senate, who may not be members of the same political party, appointed by the Senate President;
b. Four members of the House of Representatives, who may not all be members of the same political party, appointed by the House Speaker; and
c. Five members representing the public interest who are not directly involved in homeland security, one appointed by the Senate President, one appointed by the House Speaker, and three appointed by the Governor.
2. The Senate President shall designate one of the Senators appointed to be the Senate Chair and the House Speaker shall designate one of the Representatives appointed to be the House Chair.
3. Appointments of the initial members of the Task Force shall be made not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
4. Not later than 30 days after all members have been appointed, the Task Force shall hold its first meeting. Thereafter, the Task Force shall meet at the call of the Chairs.
5. A majority of Task Force members shall constitute a quorum for conducting business, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.
6. Any vacancy in the Task Force shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(C) DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE
1. The Task Force shall review the state’s homeland security needs in areas, including but not limited to, law enforcement, emergency preparedness, public health, port and airport security, and sensitive-target security.
2. The Task Force shall review the current state of homeland security preparedness, spending priorities and any gap between available resources and identified needs in such areas as personnel, equipment and training, including review of the impact of the state National Guard and Reserve deployments abroad on the state’s emergency preparedness.
3. As part of its review of needs and preparedness, the Task Force shall receive a report from [appropriate state agency or agencies] on the state’s homeland security vision and plans, and the status of those plans.
4. The Task Force shall hold at least two of its meetings outside of [the capitol city], and provide an opportunity for public comment at those meetings.
5. The Task Force shall review ways to improve the flow of information about homeland security to the legislature and the general public.
(D) REPORT—Not later than January 1, 2007, the Task Force shall submit a report to the Governor, leg¬islature and the public that includes findings and conclusions, and recommenda¬tions for legislative and administrative actions.
(E) FUNDING—The state [Emergency Management Agency] shall support the expenses of the Task Force up to a total cost of $10,000.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.