H.R. 4679: Furthering American Security by Tempering Environmental Regulations Act

This bill, known as the Furthering American Security by Tempering Environmental Regulations Act (or FASTER Act), aims to enhance security measures along the southern border of the United States by requiring specific actions related to tactical infrastructure. Here are the key points of what the bill proposes:

Biennial Surveys of Tactical Infrastructure

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security conduct a survey of existing tactical infrastructure along the southern border every two years. The first survey must be conducted within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Each survey will focus on three main areas:

• Measuring the number of miles of the southern border that lacks tactical infrastructure.
• Identifying deficiencies in the current structure of existing tactical infrastructure.
• Describing any deficiencies in the technology utilized along the southern border.

Reporting Requirements

After each survey, the Secretary of Homeland Security is required to submit a report within 90 days to the relevant Congressional committees. This report will detail the findings of the survey and will be submitted in an unclassified format, although it may contain a classified annex if deemed necessary.

Addressing Deficiencies

If the surveys reveal any deficiencies in the tactical infrastructure or technology, the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to act on these findings. This authority includes expediting the correction of deficiencies by waiving legal requirements in order to facilitate repairs or improvements swiftly.

Definition of Deficiency

The term "deficiency" in this context refers to situations where:

• The tactical infrastructure or technology is not operational.
• The infrastructure or technology is functional but cannot fulfill its intended purpose due to reasons such as:
• Damage.
• Deterioration.
• Unmet maintenance or repair needs.

Implementation Timeline

The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to begin the first survey within 180 days after the bill becomes law, with subsequent surveys occurring every two years thereafter.

Authority Under Existing Law

The bill references existing authorities under previous legislation, specifically the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which allows the Secretary to take necessary actions to address the identified deficiencies.

Relevant Companies

None found