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Bill113th CongressFiled Sep 17, 2013Emergency Management
H.R. 3107

Homeland Security Cybersecurity Boots-on-the-Ground Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jul 28, 2014)

(Sec. 1) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add provisions entitled the Homeland Security Cybersecurity Boots-on-the-Ground Act, which require the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) develop occupation categories for individuals performing activities in furtherance of DHS's cybersecurity mission, (2) ensure that such categories may be used throughout DHS and are made available to other federal agencies, and (3) conduct an annual assessment of the readiness and capacity of the DHS workforce to meet its cybersecurity mission.

Directs the Secretary to include in such readiness assessment information on which cybersecurity positions are performed by: (1) permanent full time departmental employees (together with demographic information about such employees' race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, and veterans status); (2) individuals employed by independent contractors; and (3) individuals employed by other federal agencies, including the National Security Agency (NSA). Requires the assessment to address vacancies within the supervisory workforce, job training, and recruiting costs.

Directs the Secretary to develop: (1) a workforce strategy that enhances the readiness, capacity, training, recruitment, and retention of the DHS cybersecurity workforce, including a multi-phased recruitment plan, a 5-year implementation plan, and a 10-year projection of DHS workforce needs; and (2) a process to verify that employees of independent contractors who serve in DHS cybersecurity positions receive initial and recurrent information security and role-based security training commensurate with assigned responsibilities.

Requires the Secretary to provide Congress with annual updates regarding such strategies, assessments, and training. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report to the Secretary and Congress with respect to such assessments and strategies.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding the feasibility of establishing a Cybersecurity Fellowship Program to offer a tuition payment plan for undergraduate and doctoral candidates who agree to work for DHS for an agreed-upon period of time.

(Sec. 2) Authorizes the Secretary to exercise personnel authorities (in the same manner as the Secretary of Defense [DOD] exercises authority with respect to civilian intelligence personnel and scholarship programs) to establish positions in the excepted service, appoint individuals, fix pay, and pay retention bonuses if needed to retain essential DHS employees who perform functions relating to the security of federal civilian information systems, critical infrastructure information systems, or related networks. Requires the Secretary to provide an explanation to Congress before announcing a bonus.

Requires the Secretary to provide an annual report to Congress for a specified period regarding the processes used in accepting applications, assessing candidates, ensuring adherence to veterans' preference, and selecting applicants for vacancies to be filled by a qualified employee.

What just happenedJul 29, 2014

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9](D-NY)Sponsor
3 cosponsors2 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
3cosponsors2committees20actions1related bills5subjects
  • Referred in SenateJul 29, 2014
  • Engrossed in HouseJul 28, 2014
  • Reported in HouseDec 12, 2013
  • Introduced in HouseSep 17, 2013
  1. Jul 29, 2014IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

  2. Jul 28, 2014FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 395 - 8 (Roll no. 457). (text: CR H6925-6926)

  3. Jul 28, 2014FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Jul 28, 2014Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 395 - 8 (Roll no. 457).(text: CR H6925-6926)

  5. Jul 28, 2014FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6939)

  6. Jul 28, 2014FloorH37210

    At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Meehan objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.

  7. Jul 28, 2014FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3107.

  8. Jul 28, 2014FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6925-6928)

  9. Jul 28, 2014FloorH30300

    Mr. Meehan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  10. Dec 12, 2013CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 212.

  11. Dec 12, 2013CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-294.

  12. Dec 12, 2013Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 113-294.

  13. Oct 29, 2013Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  14. Oct 29, 2013Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  15. Sep 18, 2013Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .

  16. Sep 18, 2013Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  17. Sep 18, 2013Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies.

  18. Sep 17, 2013IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.

  19. Sep 17, 2013IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  20. Sep 17, 2013IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJul 28, 201436

(Sec. 1) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to add provisions entitled the Homeland Security Cybersecurity Boots-on-the-Ground Act, which require the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) develop occupation categories for individuals performing activities in furtherance of DHS's cybersecurity mission, (2) ensure that such categories may be used throughout DHS and are made available to other federal agencies, and (3) conduct an annual assessment of the readiness and capacity of the DHS workforce to meet its cybersecurity mission.

Directs the Secretary to include in such readiness assessment information on which cybersecurity positions are performed by: (1) permanent full time departmental employees (together with demographic information about such employees' race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, and veterans status); (2) individuals employed by independent contractors; and (3) individuals employed by other federal agencies, including the National Security Agency (NSA). Requires the assessment to address vacancies within the supervisory workforce, job training, and recruiting costs.

Directs the Secretary to develop: (1) a workforce strategy that enhances the readiness, capacity, training, recruitment, and retention of the DHS cybersecurity workforce, including a multi-phased recruitment plan, a 5-year implementation plan, and a 10-year projection of DHS workforce needs; and (2) a process to verify that employees of independent contractors who serve in DHS cybersecurity positions receive initial and recurrent information security and role-based security training commensurate with assigned responsibilities.

Requires the Secretary to provide Congress with annual updates regarding such strategies, assessments, and training. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report to the Secretary and Congress with respect to such assessments and strategies.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding the feasibility of establishing a Cybersecurity Fellowship Program to offer a tuition payment plan for undergraduate and doctoral candidates who agree to work for DHS for an agreed-upon period of time.

(Sec. 2) Authorizes the Secretary to exercise personnel authorities (in the same manner as the Secretary of Defense [DOD] exercises authority with respect to civilian intelligence personnel and scholarship programs) to establish positions in the excepted service, appoint individuals, fix pay, and pay retention bonuses if needed to retain essential DHS employees who perform functions relating to the security of federal civilian information systems, critical infrastructure information systems, or related networks. Requires the Secretary to provide an explanation to Congress before announcing a bonus.

Requires the Secretary to provide an annual report to Congress for a specified period regarding the processes used in accepting applications, assessing candidates, ensuring adherence to veterans' preference, and selecting applicants for vacancies to be filled by a qualified employee.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Dec 12, 201317

Homeland Security Cybersecurity Boots-on-the-Ground Act - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to: (1) develop occupation classifications for individuals performing activities in furtherance of the cybersecurity mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), (2) ensure that such classifications may be used throughout DHS and are made available to other federal agencies, and (3) assess the readiness and capacity of DHS to meet its cybersecurity mission.

Defines "cybersecurity mission" as threat and vulnerability reduction, deterrence, incident response, resiliency, and recovery activities to foster the security and stability of cyberspace.

Directs the Secretary, acting through the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer and Chief Information Officer, to include in such readiness assessment information on which cybersecurity positions are performed by: (1) permanent full time departmental employees (together with demographic information about such employees' race, ethnicity, gender, disability status, and veterans status); (2) individuals employed by independent contractors; and (3) individuals employed by other federal agencies, including the National Security Agency (NSA). Requires the assessment to address vacancies within the supervisory workforce, job training, and recruiting costs.

Directs the Secretary to develop: (1) a workforce strategy that enhances the readiness, capacity, training, recruitment, and retention of the DHS cybersecurity workforce, including a multiphased recruitment plan, a 5-year implementation plan, and a 10-year projection of federal workforce needs; and (2) a process to verify that employees of independent contractors who serve in DHS cybersecurity positions receive initial and recurrent information security and role-based security training commensurate with assigned responsibilities.

Requires the Secretary to provide Congress with annual updates regarding such strategies, assessments, and training.

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report to the Secretary and Congress with respect to such assessments and strategies.

Directs the Secretary to report to Congress regarding the feasibility of establishing a Cybersecurity Fellowship Program to offer a tuition payment plan for undergraduate and doctoral candidates who agree to work for DHS for an agreed-upon period of time.

Introduced in HouseSep 17, 2013

Homeland Security Cybersecurity Boots-on-the-Ground Act - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop:

  • occupation classifications for individuals performing activities in furtherance of the cybersecurity mission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and to ensure that the such classifications may be used throughout DHS and are made available to other federal agencies;
  • a workforce strategy that enhances the readiness, capacity, training, recruitment, and retention of the DHS cybersecurity workforce, including a multiphased recruitment plan and a 10-year projection of federal workforce needs; and
  • a process to verify that employees of independent contractors who serve in DHS cybersecurity positions receive initial and recurrent information security and role-based security training commensurate with assigned responsibilities.

Defines "cybersecurity mission" as threat and vulnerability reduction, deterrence, incident response, resiliency, and recovery activities to foster the security and stability of cyberspace.

Directs the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer and Chief Information Officer to assess the readiness and capacity of DHS to meet such mission.

Requires the Secretary to provide Congress with annual updates regarding such strategies, assessments, and training.

Homeland Security Cybersecurity Boots-on-the-Ground Act — Informed