U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Richard Hudson (R-NC) reintroduced legislation that would strengthen the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s ability to support security at major sporting and entertainment events.
The DHS Special Events Program and Support bill would permanently codify DHS’s Special Event Assessment Rating system that assesses and provides security support for festivals, parades, conventions and other planned events at the state or local level, officials said. The bill would require DHS carry out research and development to enhance its ability to provide situational awareness support to federal, state, local, Tribal and territorial officials responsible for security at mass gatherings. The bill would also require periodic internal assessments of the SEAR process to keep pace with changing threats.
“With multiple professional sports teams, world-class entertainment events, and business conventions with a global scope, cities like Las Vegas rely on federal support to supplement state and local security efforts,” Titus said. “DHS is a vital partner in that work, and my legislation would make permanent this program that helps ensure that the kind of special events my district is known for are secure for all of our residents and visitors.”
The program that would be mad permanent by the bill is not currently authorized, Titus’ office said. However, the bill unanimously passed the House during the last Congress but was stalled in the Committee on Homeland Security in the Senate. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ), a member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
The bill is supported by the US Travel Association and the National Emergency Management Association, as well as some major sports leagues, larger cities and first responder organizations.
“The National Football League is pleased to support the ‘DHS Special Events Program and Support Act,’ bipartisan legislation that standardizes and improves the long-standing process by which the Department of Homeland Security makes risk assessments and approves requests for security-related assistance, coordination, and support for special events, such as the Super Bowl,” Cathy Lanier, Chief Security Officer for the National Football League, said. “A modernized Special Event Assessment Rating system and process is fundamental to ensuring that the Super Bowl and other large, marquee public gatherings continue to receive the security protections and resources that keep fans safe, and this bill will help to do that.”