Eight homeland security bills make it through House

The House passed eight homeland security measures today that,
among other measures, are designed to strengthen cyber security,
promote greater sharing of unclassified information and prevent
the over-classification of information. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson
(D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security praised
measures.

"Passage of these vital measures improves the nation's
information sharing capacity, increases privacy protections at the
department and further strengthens both our cyber and port
security," said Thompson.

Following is a summary of the measures passed by the House:

H.R. 3815 - Homeland Security Open Source Information Enhancement Act of
2008 - Sponsored by Rep. Perlmutter (D-CO), this bill requires the
Secretary of Homeland Security to make use of open source
information to develop and disseminate open source homeland
security information products.

• H.R. 4806 - Reducing Over-Classification Act of 2008 - Sponsored by Rep. Harman (D-CA), this bill requires the
  Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to prevent the
  over-classification of information and to promote the sharing of
  unclassified information.
  
• H.R. 6193 - Improving Public Access to Documents Act of 2008 - Sponsored by Rep. Harman (D-CA), this bill requires the
  Secretary of Homeland Security to promote the implementation of the
  Controlled Unclassified Information Framework applicable to
  relevant unclassified information.
  
• H.R. 6098 - Personnel Reimbursement for Intelligence Cooperation
  and Enhancement of Homeland Security Act - Sponsored by Rep. Reichert (R-WA), this bill ensures that homeland security grants can be applied to retain and acquire intelligence analysts to work in Fusion Centers and engage in
  information sharing.
  
• H.R. 5170 - Department of Homeland Security Component Privacy
  Officer Act of 2008 - Sponsored by Rep. Carney (D-PA), this bill provides for a
  privacy official within each component of the Department of
  Homeland Security.
  
• H.R. 5983 - Homeland Security Network Defense and Accountability
  Act of 2008 - Sponsored by Rep. Langevin (D-RI), this measure seeks to
  enhance information security within DHS by establishing
  authorities, qualifications, security practices for the Chief
  Information Officer, creating testing protocols to reduce network
  vulnerabilities and requiring the examination of contractor
  security policies.
  
• H.R. 5531 - Next Generation Radiation Screening Act of 2008 -
  Sponsored by Rep. King (R-NY), this measure clarifies the
  criteria for certification relating to advanced spectroscopic
  portal monitors and authorizes the "Secure Our Cities"
  nuclear detection pilot at $40 million.
  
• H.R. 2490 - Sponsored by Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), this bill authorizes a
  successful pilot program that the Coast Guard has been conducting
  for the mobile biometric identification in the maritime environment
  of individuals interdicted at sea.