Summary
H.R. 1508, the DHS Special Events Program and Support Act, would give the Department of Homeland Security statutory authority to conduct security assessments and provide security and situational awareness support for pre-planned special events that fall below the threshold of National Special Security Events. National Special Security Events are major federal or public events designated by the President or DHS, such as presidential inaugurations and major sporting events. This bill would apply to other significant gatherings that currently lack a formal federal security support framework.
Under the bill, DHS would establish a standardized process allowing federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials to voluntarily request event assessment and security support. DHS would evaluate these requests using a risk-based methodology and provide options for expedited consideration and reassessment as needed. The bill would also direct DHS to research and develop new technologies and techniques to enhance security and situational awareness capabilities for mass gatherings, with protections built in for constitutional rights, privacy, and civil liberties.
The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the House. If enacted, it would formalize how DHS coordinates security support for major events and could lead to more consistent security planning across different types of public gatherings nationwide.
AI-generated summary
Lifecycle of the Bill
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Feb 21, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 25, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Mar 25, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Mar 25, 2025 · 18:00
H.R. 1327, (Mr. Luttrell) the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 1508, (Ms. Titus) the “DHS Special Events Program and Support Act”; H.R. 1736, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act”; H.R. 2116, (Mr. Evans of CO) the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2139, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2158, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025”; H.R. 2212, (Mr. Mackenzie) the “DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act”; H.R. 2259, (Mr. Tony Gonzales of TX) the “National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025”; H.R. 2261, (Mr. Hernández) the “Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act"; and H.R. 2285, (Ms. Pou) the “DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025”
Summary
On March 25, 2025, the House Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee held a markup hearing to consider ten bills addressing various homeland security and counterterrorism issues. The bills examined included measures to improve DHS basic training program accreditation, authorize DHS security assessments for special events, assess terrorism threats from generative AI, develop a national school security strategy, counter transnational repression, support law enforcement efforts, strengthen state and local counterterrorism capabilities, establish DHS intelligence programs, and improve DHS oversight. The bills represent bipartisan efforts to enhance federal, state, and local coordination on terrorism prevention and security matters. The legislation examined reflects congressional focus on modernizing DHS capabilities and improving coordination across government levels. Several bills address emerging threats, including the use of generative AI by terrorist organizations and transnational repression by foreign governments targeting Americans. Other measures aim to strengthen existing programs through better training standards, reporting requirements, and interagency coordination. The bills generally propose establishing new working groups, requiring periodic assessments and reports to Congress, and supporting research and development of technologies to enhance security operations. Following the markup hearing, the bills were advanced for further consideration. Several bills subsequently passed out of committee and advanced in the legislative process, though passage of a bill out of committee does not guarantee it will become law. The bills must still be considered by the full House and, if passed, would require Senate approval and presidential signature to become law.
Video
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Apr 9, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Apr 9, 2025 · 14:00
H.R. 275, (Ms. Greene of Georgia) the “Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024”; H.R. 820, (Mr. Swalwell) the “Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act”; H.R. 881, (Mr. Pfluger) the “DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act”; H.R. 1327, (Mr. Luttrell) the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 1508, (Ms. Titus) the “DHS Special Events Program and Support Act”; H.R. 1569, (Mr. Higgins of Louisiana) the “Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful Fentanyl Act” or the “CATCH Fentanyl Act”; H.R. 1608, (Mr. Gimenez) the “Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025”; H.R. 2116, (Mr. Evans of Colorado) the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2139, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2158, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025”; H.R. 2285, (Ms. Pou) the “DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025”; and, H.R. 2659, (Mr. Ogles) the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act”
Summary
On April 09, 2025, the House Committee on Homeland Security held a legislative hearing to examine a diverse slate of twelve bills aimed at strengthening national security and departmental operations. The legislative package covers a broad range of issues, including H.R. 275, which focuses on reporting requirements for special interest aliens, and H.R. 1569, the CATCH Fentanyl Act, which seeks to improve contraband awareness technology. Other significant measures include H.R. 881, regarding restrictions on Chinese entities of concern, and a trio of bills (H.R. 2116, H.R. 2139, and H.R. 2158) designed to counter transnational repression by foreign actors against individuals within the United States. The committee also reviewed legislation intended to enhance public safety and infrastructure, such as H.R. 1608 for vehicular terrorism prevention and H.R. 2659 for cyber resilience against state-sponsored threats. Additionally, the hearing addressed administrative and humanitarian concerns through H.R. 820, which focuses on breastfeeding equipment screening, and H.R. 2285, which aims to improve accreditation for Department of Homeland Security basic training programs. These bills collectively represent an effort to modernize the department's response to both physical and digital threats while refining internal protocols. As a legislative hearing, this session served as a formal venue for committee members to discuss the merits and potential impacts of each proposal. While no witnesses were listed for this specific session, the committee typically uses such meetings to determine which bills warrant further consideration or amendment. This hearing is a preliminary step in the legislative process; it does not guarantee that any of the bills will be reported out of committee or receive a vote on the House floor.
Video
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
Feb 21, 2025
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 25, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Mar 25, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Mar 25, 2025 · 18:00
H.R. 1327, (Mr. Luttrell) the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 1508, (Ms. Titus) the “DHS Special Events Program and Support Act”; H.R. 1736, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act”; H.R. 2116, (Mr. Evans of CO) the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2139, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2158, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025”; H.R. 2212, (Mr. Mackenzie) the “DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act”; H.R. 2259, (Mr. Tony Gonzales of TX) the “National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025”; H.R. 2261, (Mr. Hernández) the “Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act"; and H.R. 2285, (Ms. Pou) the “DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025”
Summary
On March 25, 2025, the House Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee held a markup hearing to consider ten bills addressing various homeland security and counterterrorism issues. The bills examined included measures to improve DHS basic training program accreditation, authorize DHS security assessments for special events, assess terrorism threats from generative AI, develop a national school security strategy, counter transnational repression, support law enforcement efforts, strengthen state and local counterterrorism capabilities, establish DHS intelligence programs, and improve DHS oversight. The bills represent bipartisan efforts to enhance federal, state, and local coordination on terrorism prevention and security matters. The legislation examined reflects congressional focus on modernizing DHS capabilities and improving coordination across government levels. Several bills address emerging threats, including the use of generative AI by terrorist organizations and transnational repression by foreign governments targeting Americans. Other measures aim to strengthen existing programs through better training standards, reporting requirements, and interagency coordination. The bills generally propose establishing new working groups, requiring periodic assessments and reports to Congress, and supporting research and development of technologies to enhance security operations. Following the markup hearing, the bills were advanced for further consideration. Several bills subsequently passed out of committee and advanced in the legislative process, though passage of a bill out of committee does not guarantee it will become law. The bills must still be considered by the full House and, if passed, would require Senate approval and presidential signature to become law.
Video
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Apr 9, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Apr 9, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Apr 9, 2025 · 14:00
H.R. 275, (Ms. Greene of Georgia) the “Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024”; H.R. 820, (Mr. Swalwell) the “Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act”; H.R. 881, (Mr. Pfluger) the “DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act”; H.R. 1327, (Mr. Luttrell) the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 1508, (Ms. Titus) the “DHS Special Events Program and Support Act”; H.R. 1569, (Mr. Higgins of Louisiana) the “Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful Fentanyl Act” or the “CATCH Fentanyl Act”; H.R. 1608, (Mr. Gimenez) the “Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025”; H.R. 2116, (Mr. Evans of Colorado) the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2139, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2158, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025”; H.R. 2285, (Ms. Pou) the “DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025”; and, H.R. 2659, (Mr. Ogles) the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act”
Summary
On April 09, 2025, the House Committee on Homeland Security held a legislative hearing to examine a diverse slate of twelve bills aimed at strengthening national security and departmental operations. The legislative package covers a broad range of issues, including H.R. 275, which focuses on reporting requirements for special interest aliens, and H.R. 1569, the CATCH Fentanyl Act, which seeks to improve contraband awareness technology. Other significant measures include H.R. 881, regarding restrictions on Chinese entities of concern, and a trio of bills (H.R. 2116, H.R. 2139, and H.R. 2158) designed to counter transnational repression by foreign actors against individuals within the United States. The committee also reviewed legislation intended to enhance public safety and infrastructure, such as H.R. 1608 for vehicular terrorism prevention and H.R. 2659 for cyber resilience against state-sponsored threats. Additionally, the hearing addressed administrative and humanitarian concerns through H.R. 820, which focuses on breastfeeding equipment screening, and H.R. 2285, which aims to improve accreditation for Department of Homeland Security basic training programs. These bills collectively represent an effort to modernize the department's response to both physical and digital threats while refining internal protocols. As a legislative hearing, this session served as a formal venue for committee members to discuss the merits and potential impacts of each proposal. While no witnesses were listed for this specific session, the committee typically uses such meetings to determine which bills warrant further consideration or amendment. This hearing is a preliminary step in the legislative process; it does not guarantee that any of the bills will be reported out of committee or receive a vote on the House floor.
Video
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Feb 21, 2025
