Eight homeland security bills make it through House

WashingtonTechnology: 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.