To establish a Border Enforcement Security Task Force program to enhance border security by fostering coordinated efforts among Federal, State, and local border and law enforcement officials to protect United States border cities and communities from trans-national crime, including violence associated with drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal alien trafficking and smuggling, violence, and kidnapping along and across the international borders of the United States, and for other purposes.
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 22, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Jaime Zapata Border Enforcement Security Task Force Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST), which shall establish units to enhance border security by addressing and reducing border security threats and violence by: (1) facilitating collaboration among federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement agencies to execute coordinated activities in furtherance of border security and homeland security; and (2) enhancing information-sharing, including the dissemination of homeland security information among such agencies.
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish BEST units in jurisdictions in which such units can contribute to BEST missions, after considering: (1) whether the area in which the unit would be established is significantly impacted by cross-border threats; (2) the availability of federal, state, local, tribal, and foreign law enforcement resources to participate in the unit; (3) the extent to which border security threats are having a significant harmful impact in the area and in other U.S. jurisdictions; and (4) whether an Integrated Border Enforcement Team already exists in the area. Directs the Secretary, in determining whether to establish or expand a BEST unit in a given jurisdiction, to ensure that the unit under consideration does not duplicate the efforts of other existing interagency task forces or centers within that jurisdiction.
Authorizes the Secretary, after determining the jurisdictions in which to establish BEST units and in order to provide federal assistance to such jurisdictions, to: (1) direct the assignment of federal personnel to BEST; and (2) take other actions to assist federal, state, local, and tribal entities to participate in BEST, including providing financial assistance for operational, administrative, and technological costs associated with such participation.
Directs the Secretary to report annually on the effectiveness of the program in enhancing border security and reducing the drug trafficking, arms smuggling, illegal alien trafficking and smuggling, violence, and kidnapping along and across U.S. borders.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/02/2012 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-206.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/02/2012 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-206.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 497.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR 9/21/2012 S6664-6665; text as passed Senate: CR S6664-6665)
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR 9/21/2012 S6664-6665; text as passed Senate: CR S6664-6665)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Mr. McCaul moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 915.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Enacted as Public Law 112-205
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Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6437-6439, H6443-6444)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 4 (Roll no. 610).(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H6437)
Roll Call #610 (House)On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 397 - 4 (Roll no. 610). (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H6437)
Roll Call #610 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 112-205.
Became Public Law No: 112-205.