Legis Daily

DHS Biodetection Improvement Act

USA119th CongressHR-706| House 
| Updated: 3/12/2025
Dale W. Strong

Dale W. Strong

Republican Representative

Alabama

Cosponsors (1)
Clay Higgins (Republican)

Homeland Security Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's biodetection capabilities by directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct an assessment. This assessment will evaluate how the Department has utilized Department of Energy national laboratories and sites for research and development related to its biodetection missions. Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must submit this assessment to Congress, along with a comprehensive strategy. This strategy will detail how DHS plans to coordinate with DOE national laboratories to address biodetection research and development needs. Key components of this strategy include identifying suitable biodetection technologies, developing an acquisition plan for these technologies for existing BioWatch jurisdictions, and conducting external evaluations to identify potential gaps and failure points. Furthermore, the strategy requires assisting in the development of clear program and technical requirements for future DHS environmental biodetection programs, in partnership with federal, state, local, tribal governments, academic institutions, and the private sector. The bill also mandates that the Secretary provide Congress with an update on the assessment and strategy, including any implementation challenges, within one year of the Act's enactment.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6174
DHS Biodetection Improvement Act
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Mar 10, 2025
Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Mar 10, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1046-1048)
Mar 10, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 706.
Mar 10, 2025
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Green (TN) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Mar 11, 2025
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1126)
Mar 11, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)
Mar 11, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)
Mar 11, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 12, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6174
    DHS Biodetection Improvement Act


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.


  • March 10, 2025
    Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • March 10, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1046-1048)


  • March 10, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 706.


  • March 10, 2025
    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Green (TN) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.


  • March 11, 2025
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1126)


  • March 11, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)


  • March 11, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)


  • March 11, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 12, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Government Operations and Politics

Advanced technology and technological innovationsChemical and biological weaponsCongressional oversightDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationInfectious and parasitic diseasesPublic contracts and procurementResearch and development

DHS Biodetection Improvement Act

USA119th CongressHR-706| House 
| Updated: 3/12/2025
This legislation aims to enhance the Department of Homeland Security's biodetection capabilities by directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct an assessment. This assessment will evaluate how the Department has utilized Department of Energy national laboratories and sites for research and development related to its biodetection missions. Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must submit this assessment to Congress, along with a comprehensive strategy. This strategy will detail how DHS plans to coordinate with DOE national laboratories to address biodetection research and development needs. Key components of this strategy include identifying suitable biodetection technologies, developing an acquisition plan for these technologies for existing BioWatch jurisdictions, and conducting external evaluations to identify potential gaps and failure points. Furthermore, the strategy requires assisting in the development of clear program and technical requirements for future DHS environmental biodetection programs, in partnership with federal, state, local, tribal governments, academic institutions, and the private sector. The bill also mandates that the Secretary provide Congress with an update on the assessment and strategy, including any implementation challenges, within one year of the Act's enactment.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-6174
DHS Biodetection Improvement Act
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Jan 23, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Mar 10, 2025
Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Mar 10, 2025
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1046-1048)
Mar 10, 2025
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 706.
Mar 10, 2025
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Green (TN) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Mar 11, 2025
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1126)
Mar 11, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)
Mar 11, 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)
Mar 11, 2025
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 12, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-6174
    DHS Biodetection Improvement Act


  • January 23, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.


  • January 23, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.


  • March 10, 2025
    Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • March 10, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1046-1048)


  • March 10, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 706.


  • March 10, 2025
    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Green (TN) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.


  • March 11, 2025
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1126)


  • March 11, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)


  • March 11, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1046-1047)


  • March 11, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 12, 2025
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Dale W. Strong

Dale W. Strong

Republican Representative

Alabama

Cosponsors (1)
Clay Higgins (Republican)

Homeland Security Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Advanced technology and technological innovationsChemical and biological weaponsCongressional oversightDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationInfectious and parasitic diseasesPublic contracts and procurementResearch and development