Overview
Title
To require the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to assess current efforts to respond to hazardous weather and water events at or near United States borders and, to the extent such efforts may be improved, to develop a hazardous weather and water events preparedness and response strategy, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The "Border Weather Resiliency Act of 2024" is about figuring out better ways to handle bad weather near the borders of the USA. It wants border officials to check how they currently deal with things like storms and come up with a plan to make sure everyone stays safe, but it doesn't give them any extra money to do this planning.
Summary AI
H.R. 9368, the "Border Weather Resiliency Act of 2024," requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner to evaluate current methods and develop a strategy to improve responses to hazardous weather and water events near U.S. borders. The bill mandates an assessment of past impacts on personnel, technology, and infrastructure, followed by the creation and implementation of a response strategy in consultation with various government and tribal entities. Moreover, it calls for the establishment of safety protocols to protect Customs and Border Protection operations from such weather events, but it does not provide additional funding to carry out these actions.
Published
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AnalysisAI
Overview of the Bill
The "Border Weather Resiliency Act of 2024" is a legislative effort aimed at improving the response of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to hazardous weather and water events near the nation's borders. The bill mandates an assessment of past impacts, the creation of a preparedness strategy for the future, and development of safety protocols. It emphasizes safeguarding CBP personnel, individuals under inspection, and the integrity of border security infrastructure without allocating additional funding for these initiatives.
Significant Issues
One of the main issues with the bill is the lack of specified funding. By stating that "no additional funds" are authorized, the legislation leaves agencies to implement its requirements using existing resources. This could lead to difficulties in managing the both financial planning and operational execution. Moreover, the timelines for completing the assessment and strategy development are seen as challenging, which might pressure authorities into providing rushed or incomplete solutions.
Additionally, the process for consulting experts is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act, raising transparency concerns. The broad language regarding what constitutes "hazardous weather and water events" could lead to different interpretations and implementation inconsistencies. Similarly, the bill does not provide clear guidelines for the cost-benefit analysis, leading to potential gaps in the evaluation process.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, especially those living near U.S. borders, the legislation could mean improved safety and preparedness for extreme weather events. By focusing on these measures, the bill aims to reduce the potential loss of life and damage to property that can result from such events. However, without additional funding, the effectiveness of this initiative could be compromised, possibly reducing its intended benefits.
Moreover, if the assessments and strategies require the reallocation of existing CBP resources, there might be an impact on border security operations, including wait times and the materials allocated for dealing with daily operational challenges.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
CBP personnel and individuals inspected by CBP could see direct benefits if their safety and well-being during hazardous weather events are enhanced as intended. The bill, in its attempt to develop better safety protocols, aims to ensure that officers and the individuals they inspect are better protected.
State and tribal governments near the borders may need to play a critical role in consultations for developing the proposed strategies. Their engagement could shape local preparedness efforts, but without transparent processes or appropriate collaborative frameworks, efforts may remain uncoordinated or ineffective.
Finally, without allocated funding, CBP might be forced to divert resources from other operational needs to meet the requirements of the bill, potentially affecting its regular mission. This indirect impact would affect stakeholders who rely on efficient and secure border operations.
Overall, while the intent of the "Border Weather Resiliency Act of 2024" addresses an important need, the lack of financial and operational details could hinder its practical implementation and the realization of its goals.
Issues
The bill lacks specificity regarding the budget or funding sources needed for implementing both the assessment and the strategy for mitigating hazardous weather and water events, which could lead to financial uncertainties or misallocation of resources. (Sections 3, 4, and 5)
The timeline for both the assessment (180 days for the report) and the strategy (1 year to commence implementation) may be considered aggressive, given the complexity involved in conducting a thorough analysis and developing a comprehensive response strategy, potentially leading to rushed or incomplete outcomes. (Sections 3 and 4)
The consultation process for developing the strategy might lack transparency due to the exemption from the Federal Advisory Committee Act, which may result in biases or a lack of public oversight in the expert selection process. (Section 4)
There is ambiguity in the definition and operationalization of 'effectiveness' and 'impacts,' which could lead to inconsistent evaluations or assessments, affecting the overall quality of the analysis. (Sections 3 and 4)
No specific guidelines or criteria for the cost-benefit analysis are provided, potentially leading to ineffective evaluations or financial planning. (Section 4)
The one-year timeline for establishing safety protocols lacks clarity on consultation or coordination with other federal, state, or local agencies, which could result in duplicative efforts or jurisdictional conflicts. (Section 5)
The 'No additional funds' provision suggests that existing resources must be utilized, which raises concerns about the feasibility of implementing comprehensive strategies and assessments without new or additional funding. (Section 6)
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides the short title of the legislation, specifying that it may be referred to as the “Border Weather Resiliency Act of 2024.”
2. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides definitions for key terms in a legislative act, including which congressional committees are considered appropriate, the roles of the Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Secretary of Homeland Security, and what constitutes hazardous weather and water events, such as severe storms and other natural disasters.
3. Assessment of impacts of hazardous weather and water events on U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, technology, and infrastructure Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the Commissioner to assess how hazardous weather and water events have affected U.S. Customs and Border Protection over a five-year period, focusing on personnel safety, technology, infrastructure, and uniform effectiveness. A report on the findings and responses to these impacts must be submitted to Congress within 180 days after the act is enacted.
4. Strategy to address impacts of hazardous weather and water events Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines a strategy that the Secretary of Homeland Security must create within a year to reduce the impact of severe weather and water events on U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations, including the well-being of personnel and individuals, as well as the integrity of border security technology and infrastructure. This strategy involves consultations with various government and tribal entities and experts, requires a cost-benefit analysis, and must be implemented within a year after submission, with semiannual progress reports for five years.
5. Safety protocols to protect U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel, technology, and infrastructure Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to develop safety measures within a year, aiming to reduce the impact of severe weather on their duties, protect their workers and the people they check, and safeguard their technology and equipment.
6. No additional funds Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
No additional money is approved for this Act, meaning that the government will not allocate new funds to carry out the tasks outlined in this legislation.