WASHINGTON-Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, introduced a bill Tuesday that hopes to streamline homeland-security grants and ensure that rural states get sufficient funding.
“My bill guarantees that rural states will receive their fair share of federal homeland-security dollars. Every state has vulnerabilities, and each should be ensured a baseline level of homeland-security funding to assure preparedness. At the same time, we need to distribute more funds according to risk and vulnerability to terrorist attacks. This legislation achieves both of these goals. It addresses the homeland-security needs of small and rural states, as well as states with major metropolitan centers,” said Collins.
Similar legislation was passed as an amendment to last year’s intelligence-reform bill but was stripped in the conference committee.
The bill requires states to distribute 80 percent of the money awarded within 45 days to local agencies and allows for greater flexibility to transfer the money between training, planning and equipment.
“The Homeland Security Grant Enhancement Act would provide states with the predictable, steady stream of homeland-security dollars they need to defend themselves from terrorist threats. It increases first responders’ and local officials’ input into how funding is spent, makes it easier to apply for federal grants, and promotes flexibility in the use of homeland-security funding,” said Collins.
