CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2015
Key claim: The CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2015 directs DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis to enhance analysis, risk assessment, and information sharing on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats with federal, state, local, and tribal partners.
Abstract
(HR2200 · 114th Congress) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2015 (Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Office of Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to: (1) support homeland security-focused intelligence analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials against the nation and of global infectious disease, public health, food, agricultural, and veterinary issues; (2) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and risk assessments of such homeland security hazards, including the transportation of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological materials, by providing relevant quantitative and nonquantitative threat information; (3) leverage homeland security intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance prevention, protection, response, and recovery efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack; and (4) share information and provide tailored analytical support on these threats to state, local, and tribal authorities as well as other national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders and other federal agencies, as appropriate. Requires the Office to coordinate with other DHS components, the Intelligence Community, and federal, state, local, and tribal authorities, including officials from high-threat areas, state and major urban area fusion centers, and local public health departments where appropriate, and enable such entities to provide recommendations on optimal information sharing mechanisms and on how they can provide information to DHS. Directs DHS to report annually on: (1) intelligence and information sharing activities to counter the threat from attacks using chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials, and (2) DHS’s activities Latest action (2015-07-07): Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Why this matters
The Act codifies DHS’s role as the federal focal point for CBRN threat analysis and information sharing with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, reinforcing the fusion center architecture for weapons-of-mass-destruction risks. While incremental, it locks in expectations for I&A analytic products and coordination that shape how CBRN intelligence flows to first responders and homeland security officials.