DHS Grants Accountability Act

The DHS Grants Accountability Act aims to significantly enhance the administration of federal preparedness, transit, and port security grant programs by improving oversight , transparency , and stakeholder engagement . This legislation amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and other related laws to ensure a more accountable and efficient process for distributing critical security funds. For preparedness grant programs, the bill mandates that the Administrator annually review these programs, shifting from a discretionary "may" to a compulsory "shall." It also increases transparency in funding prioritization by requiring an annual notification to Congress detailing allocation criteria before funding opportunities are issued. Furthermore, the bill establishes clear deadlines, ensuring that notices of funding opportunity are made public within 60 days of an appropriations act and that applicants have at least 30 days to submit their proposals. A significant change includes extending the period of performance for preparedness grant funds to not fewer than 54 months, providing recipients more time for implementation. Similar provisions for deadlines and application periods are also applied to various transit and port security grant programs, including public transportation, railroad, over-the-road bus, and port security grants. These changes collectively aim to streamline the grant process, making it more accessible and effective for eligible recipients.