Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens protections and oversight for DHS research security—reducing risk to sensitive R&D and improving interagency coordination—while imposing additional compliance burdens, potential limits on academic collaboration, and modest extra costs for taxpayers.
Scientists and federal DHS staff will have clearer legal and procedural protections that reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive R&D and intellectual property.
Taxpayers and government contractors gain more oversight and transparency through a GAO review and required DHS briefings, which should improve accountability for research-security practices.
Scientists, state governments, and other federal science agencies benefit from better alignment of DHS research-security practices with NSPM-33 and NSTC guidance, which can improve interagency coordination on protecting sensitive research.
Scientists and government contractors will face increased administrative burden and compliance costs to implement new department-wide research-security policies.
Scientists and universities may experience reduced information sharing with academic partners, which could slow collaborative research and innovation.
Taxpayers could bear higher costs for implementing new security requirements and for expanded oversight and reporting (including GAO-related activities).
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires DHS to adopt a department-wide policy to protect sensitive R&D in acquisitions, mandates a GAO report on compliance with federal research-security guidance, and a DHS briefing within 90 days.
Requires DHS to create a department-wide policy and process to safeguard research and development from unauthorized access or disclosure when acquiring R&D. It also requires the Comptroller General to report to relevant congressional committees within one year on DHS compliance with federal research-security guidance and requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to brief those committees within 90 days on development of the new policy and process. The bill focuses on policy development, interagency coordination with agencies such as NSF/OSTP/NSTC, and clarifies the expected role of DHS’s Science and Technology Directorate in establishing a research security framework; it does not appropriate new funds or change tax law.
Introduced January 31, 2025 by Dale Strong · Last progress March 11, 2025