COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee recommends $38,062,000 for Cerro Grande fire claims settlement, and includes bill language which makes up to 5 percent of the funds available for administrative purposes.

The Committee expects that this will be the final installment of appropriations for the Cerro Grande Fire Claims and encourages the office to expedite all claims and bring this effort to closure.

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION

The Office of the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection is responsible for the collection and dissemination of terrorist threat information; fusing and integrating data with foreign intelligence to produce a comprehensive picture of threats; and developing and implementing an action plan to mitigate terrorist threats and national vulnerabilities.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

For the Office of the Under Secretary, the Committee recommends an appropriation of $10,460,000.

Of the amount provided, $5,018,000 is for the immediate Office of the Under Secretary, as follows: $231,000 for travel; $111,000 for supplies; $4,329,000 for salaries and benefits; $28,000 for training; and $319,000 for other expenses.

The remaining $5,442,000 is provided for the Department of Homeland Security Command Center, as follows: $18,000 for travel; $24,000 for supplies; $1,040,000 for salaries and benefits; $6,000 for training; and $4,354,000 for other expenses. An additional amount is made available for the Command Center from the Office of the Chief Information Officer under the `Office of the Under Secretary for Management' account.

INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION, OPERATING EXPENSES

The Directorate of Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection was established by Public Law 107-296, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to identify and assess current and future threats to the homeland, map threat information against current vulnerabilities, issue timely warnings, and take preventive and protective action. The Directorate of Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection will work also with Federal, State, local, and private stakeholders to develop and implement an integrated national plan for the physical and cyber protection of critical infrastructures and key assets.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee recommends $823,700,000 for information analysis and infrastructure protection operating expenses for fiscal year 2004.

The following table summarizes the Committee's recommendations, as compared to the fiscal year 2003 and budget request levels:

INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION

[In thousands of dollars]

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                                                          Fiscal year--             Committee recommendation 

                                                           2003 enacted 2004 budget                          

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Operating expenses                                              185,149                                      

Intelligence and Warning:                                                                                    

Threat determination and assessment                                          32,000                   32,000 

Information and warning advisories                                           69,700                   69,700 

Protecting Critical Infrastructure and Key Assets:                                                           

Infrastructure vulnerability and risk assessment                             95,000                   95,000 

Remediation and protective actions                                          383,900                  393,900 

National Communications System                                              155,000                  155,100 

Administration and Outreach:                                                                                 

Competitive analysis and evaluation                                          20,000                   20,000 

National plans and strategies                                                 5,000                    5,000 

Outreach and partnerships                                                    60,000                   53,000 

Office of the Under Secretary for IAIP                                        8,400                    ( 1 ) 

Total, Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection       185,149     829,000                  823,700 

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The Committee is aware of the recent and rapid stand-up of the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate and the challenges that have been presented in this endeavor. However, the Committee is concerned with the lack of justification for increased funding in the fiscal year 2004 budget and the inability of the Department to provide sufficient detail to date on each program, project, and activity. The Committee looks forward to further justification from the Department on the fiscal year 2004 budget request in order to make informed budget decisions for assessing and addressing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities.

The Committee supports the recent creation of the National Cyber Security Division within Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection and recommends $32,800,000 for the integration of physical and cyber infrastructure monitoring and coordination from the funds made available for information and warning advisories, and $65,700,000 for cyberspace security from the funds made available for remediation and protective actions. The Committee expects the Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection to coordinate activities for the protection of critical cyber assets with the Under Secretary for Science and Technology.

The Committee recommends $293,900,000 for critical infrastructure and key asset identification, field assessments of critical infrastructures, and key asset protection implementation to help guide development of protective measures to harden facilities and assets.

The Committee recommends $155,100,000 for the National Communications System to support the expansion of the national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications programs and activities, of which $115,300,000 is to be made available for priority telecommunications programs.

The General Accounting Office has reported that chemical facilities present an attractive target for terrorist activity. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that it would cost $80,000,000 over 5 years for vulnerability assessments at nearly 15,000 chemical facilities across the United States. Therefore, the Committee directs the Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection Directorate to submit a report to the Committee within 120 days of enactment of this Act that addresses the costs associated with assessing the vulnerabilities at chemical facilities, and the costs associated with protective actions at chemical facilities.

Of the funds made available for information and warning advisories the Committee provides $10,000,000 for a national alert system to notify the general public in the event of a terrorist attack. The Under Secretary for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection is expected to consult with the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission on the development of this national alert system that utilizes and integrates the full range of communication devices, including wireline and cellular telephones, e-mail, and instant messaging systems, radio and television broadcasts, and personal digital assistants. The Under Secretary, to the maximum extent possible, should incorporate existing Federal, State, and local alert systems, including the emergency alert system, and should consult with State and local public safety and emergency preparedness agencies.