The United States Senate Governmental Affairs Committee today favorably reported S. 1612, the Homeland Security Technology Improvement Act of 2003, legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) which authorizes $50 million for advanced counterterrorism equipment for state and local law enforcement officials. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.
S. 1612 would assist Hawaii by making available advanced detection and monitoring equipment to law enforcement officials that currently may not be purchased through Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) grants. Under S. 1612, law enforcement agencies protecting borders, cargo ports, and other freight transportation links would be eligible for grants. "Our bill takes the right steps to ensure that State and local law enforcement officials have the right tools to stop terrorists before they act," said Senator Akaka, Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Financial Management, the Budget, and International Security.
The measure would require the Director of ODP to oversee and coordinate a counterterrorism grant program for state and local law enforcement agencies. Under the program, state and local law enforcement officials would identify and secure advanced counterterrorism surveillance, detection, and communications equipment needed to detect and apprehend terrorists.
The Governmental Affairs Committee also passed S. 129, the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act, which provides additional personnel flexibilities to agencies government-wide. The measure includes an amendment offered by Senator Akaka and Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) to provide compensatory time for federal employees on work-related travel outside of their normal work hours.
Under current government-wide regulations, federal employees who travel on official business can be compensated for travel time that is outside their regular working hours only in extremely limited circumstances. "Our amendment to S. 129 provides compensatory time off for federal employees who must travel for work outside of their normal work hours. This provision addresses a long-standing concern of federal employees who travel on official business, but are not paid for time spent traveling," said Akaka. "While federal employees may receive per diem for their non-work travel expenses, the travel time itself – even though required as a condition of employment – is generally not compensated. This amendment takes into account the increased travel demands on today's federal employees."
The amendment prohibits employees who receive compensatory time for travel from receiving cash payment for any unused compensatory time earned while on travel status. The Office of Personnel Management will be required to issue regulations on the provision within 30 days of enactment.
