US HB706

Secretary of Homeland Security must assess how DHS has utilized Department of Energy national laboratories and sites for research and development supporting DHS missions

Within 180 days of enactment, DHS must submit to Congress a strategy for coordinating biodetection research and development with DOE national laboratories, including identifying technologies to meet biodetection mission needs for existing BioWatch jurisdictions

Strategy must include an acquisition and procurement plan for biodetection technologies and periodic external evaluations to identify gaps and potential failure points in these systems

DHS must assist Federal, State, local, and Tribal governments, universities, and the private sector in developing program and technical requirements for future environmental biodetection programs

Within one year of enactment, DHS must provide Congress an update on the assessment and strategy, including any implementation challenges