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Amends the federal Securing the Cities (STC) radiological security program by tightening which jurisdictions can participate, requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to set and use performance metrics and milestones, monitor program expenditures, and track performance. It also replaces an existing provision with a requirement that DHS report to two congressional committees within two years on participation, the established metrics, program performance, and any planned changes. One section only provides a short title for the Act; the substantive section revises eligibility criteria (moving from a vague “high-risk urban areas” label to a risk- and capability-based designation), strengthens program oversight and accountability, and establishes a congressional reporting deadline.
The bill improves targeting, accountability, and transparency of radiological preparedness funding and participation, but does so at the cost of added administrative burdens and potential shifts in priorities that could leave some jurisdictions or unmeasured preparedness activities under-resourced.
State and local governments will be selected for STC participation based on objective assessments of threat and preparedness capacity, enabling resources to be targeted to jurisdictions (including some non-urban areas) with the highest radiological risk or demonstrated capability.
State and local governments will receive clearer metrics and milestones from the Secretary and have program performance tracked, improving accountability and allowing measurable evaluation of STC effectiveness.
Taxpayers and jurisdictions will get greater transparency because a required congressional report within two years will disclose participation, program performance, and planned changes.
State and local governments (and DHS staff) will face increased administrative and reporting burdens from stricter metrics and tracking requirements, which could divert time and resources away from hands-on operational preparedness.
Some previously eligible high-risk urban areas could be deprioritized if they score lower on the new capability-based selection factors, potentially reducing protections for certain urban populations.
Jurisdictions may focus on producing measurable outputs to meet metrics rather than on less-quantifiable but important preparedness activities, creating incentives to 'game' reporting rather than improve real-world readiness.
Introduced February 14, 2025 by Troy Carter · Last progress March 11, 2025