Bill · H.R. 1508· House(119-HR-1508)
DHS Special Events Program and Support Act
- Introduced
- 2/21/2025
- Last activity
- 4/9/2025 — Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- Sponsored by
- Dina Titus
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 1
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "DHS Special Events Program and Support Act," seeks to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002. It authorizes a new program within the Department of Homeland Security to assess threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences of terrorism or other security threats at certain special events. The program focuses on pre-planned events that are not already designated as National Special Security Events. It establishes a process for government officials to request event ratings to receive security and situational awareness support. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports to Congress and periodic assessments of the program.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this put more money into stopping terrorism?+3
The bill enhances security capabilities to counter terrorism at special events through new assessment programs.
Does this put more money into scientific research?+2
The bill directs research and development into security technologies for mass gatherings.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
The bill expands the Department of Homeland Security's authority to assess and support special events.
The opposite
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?-2
The emphasis on surveillance technologies could negatively impact privacy rights.
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?-2
The focus on mass gathering surveillance technologies may increase domestic surveillance capabilities.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?-1
The expanded research into mass gathering surveillance may pose risks to individual data privacy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Security and Situational Awareness Support: The bill allows the Secretary to provide security and situational de-escalation support to Federal, State, local, Tribal, or territorial officials upon request (Section 2(a)(c)). This could help protect people attending specific special events.
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Risk-Based Assessment Process: The program will use a methodology that considers factors like anticipated attendance by United States officials or foreign dignitaries, event size, and credible threats (Section 2(a)(b)(3)). This ensures that support is directed toward events with significant security needs.
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Flexibility for Officials: The program includes a process for expedited consideration and reassessment of event ratings (Section 2(a)(b)(4)), allowing officials to adjust to changing circumstances.
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Technological Advancements: The Secretary is directed to carry out research and development of technologies and techniques to enhance security and situational awareness for mass gatherings (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Privacy and Civil Liberties Concerns: While the bill mentions that research into mass gathering technologies should be consistent with constitutional, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections, these are areas that require careful management (Section 2(b)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+2Improves Data Privacy-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2Improves Government Transparency+1Improves Privacy Rights-2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Counter Terrorism Funding+3Increases Domestic Surveillance-2
- 8/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 3/25/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2/21/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
- Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Richard HudsonRepublican · North Carolina
Nellie PouDemocrat · New Jersey
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan