Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Strengthening Local Transportation Security Capabilities Act of 2018

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Public and private sector stakeholders

The term public and private sector stakeholders has the meaning given such term in section 114(u)(1)(C) of title 49, United States Code. (2)

Surface transportation asset

The term surface transportation asset includes facilities, equipment, or systems used to provide transportation services by— (A)a public transportation agency (as such term is defined in section 1402(5) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–53; 6 U.S.C. 1131(5))); (B)a railroad carrier (as such term is defined in section 20102(3) of title 49, United States Code); (C)an owner or operator of— (i)an entity offering scheduled, fixed-route transportation services by over-the-road bus (as such term is defined in section 1501(4) of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–53; 6 U.S.C. 1151(4))); or (ii)a bus terminal; or (D)other transportation facilities, equipment, or systems, as determined by the Secretary. (3)

Transportation facility

The term transportation facility means a bus terminal, intercity or commuter passenger rail station, airport, multi-modal transportation center, or other transportation facility, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Threat information sharing

(a)

Prioritization

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence analysts under section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 124h) from the Transportation Security Administration and, as appropriate, from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security, to locations with participating State, local, and regional fusion centers in jurisdictions with a high-risk surface transportation asset in order to enhance the security of such assets, including by improving timely sharing of classified information regarding terrorist and other threats. (b)

Intelligence products

Officers and intelligence analysts assigned to locations with participating State, local, and regional fusion centers under this section shall participate in the generation and dissemination of transportation security intelligence products, with an emphasis on terrorist and other threats to surface transportation assets that— (1)assist State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in deploying their resources, including personnel, most efficiently to help detect, prevent, investigate, apprehend, and respond to terrorist and other threats; (2)promote more consistent and timely sharing of threat information among jurisdictions; and (3)enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s situational awareness of such terrorist and other threats. (c)

Clearances

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make available to appropriate owners and operators of surface transportation assets, and any other person that the Secretary determines appropriate to foster greater sharing of classified information relating to terrorist and other threats to surface transportation assets, the process of application for security clearances under Executive Order No. 13549 (75 Fed. Reg. 162; relating to a classified national security information program) or any successor Executive order.

Integrated and unified operations centers

(a)

Framework

Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate offices or components of the Department of Homeland Security, shall make available to public and private sector stakeholders a framework for establishing an integrated and unified operations center responsible for overseeing daily operations of a transportation facility that promotes coordination for responses to terrorism, serious incidents, and other purposes, as determined appropriate by the Administrator. (b)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall report to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate regarding the establishment and activities of integrated and unified operations centers at transportation facilities at which the Transportation Security Administration has a presence.

Local law enforcement security training

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with public and private sector stakeholders, may develop, through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, a training program to enhance the protection, preparedness, and response capabilities of law enforcement agencies with respect to terrorism and other serious incidents at a surface transportation asset. (b)

Requirements

If the Secretary of Homeland Security develops the training program described in subsection (a), such training program shall— (1)be informed by current information regarding terrorist tactics; (2)include tactical instruction tailored to the diverse nature of the surface transportation asset operational environment; and (3)prioritize training officers from law enforcement agencies that are eligible for or receive grants under sections 2003 or 2004 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 604 and 605) and officers employed by railroad carriers that operate passenger service, including interstate passenger service.