Detailed Summary

Homeland Security Technology Advancement Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to extend (for five additional years) specified authority of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out certain basic, applied, and advanced research and development projects and prototype projects.

Directs the Under Secretary for Science and Technology to: (1) make available to any person or entity, for an appropriate fee, the services of any DHS owned and operated center or other facility for the testing of materials, equipment, models, computer software, and other items designed to advance the homeland security mission; and (2) ensure that the testing of materiel not owned by the government shall not cause government resources to be diverted from scheduled tests of government materiel or otherwise interfere with government mission requirements. Prohibits: (1) the disclosure outside the federal government of the test results and associated data that are trade secrets or privileged or confidential commercial or financial information without the consent of the person or entity for whom the tests are performed; and (2) fees from exceeding the amount necessary to recoup the costs involved.

Directs the Under Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) a report detailing a plan for operating such program; and (2) an annual report on the facilities that have collected fees, the partnerships formed, and the testing conducted.

Directs the Comptroller General to submit to Congress an assessment of such program.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 1/31/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)