Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 121.djvu/560

 PUBLIC LAW 110–53—AUG. 3, 2007

121 STAT. 539

dkrause on GSDDPC44 with PUBLAW

time and distance, that may slow the rapid deployment of equipment, supplies, and systems (and communications service related to such equipment, supplies, and systems) in the event of an emergency in any State. ‘‘(d) VOLUNTARY CONSENSUS STANDARDS.—In carrying out this section, the Assistant Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, shall identify and, if necessary, encourage the development and implementation of, voluntary consensus standards for interoperable communications systems to the greatest extent practicable, but shall not require any such standard. ‘‘(e) INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT AND AUDITS.— ‘‘(1) REPORT.—Beginning with the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce shall conduct an annual assessment of the management of the grant program implemented under subsection (a)(1) and transmit a report containing the findings of that assessment and any recommendations related thereto to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce. ‘‘(2) AUDITS.—Beginning with the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce shall conduct financial audits of entities receiving grants from the program implemented under subsection (a)(1), and shall ensure that, over the course of 4 years, such audits cover recipients in a representative sample of not fewer than 25 States or territories. The results of any such audits shall be made publicly available via web site, subject to redaction as the Inspector General determines necessary to protect classified and other sensitive information. ‘‘(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to preclude the use of funds under this section by any public safety agency for interim- or long-term Internet Protocol-based interoperable solutions.’’; and (3) by striking paragraph (3) of subsection (j), as so redesignated. (b) FCC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND REPORT ON EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS BACK-UP SYSTEM.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall conduct a vulnerability assessment of the Nation’s critical communications and information systems infrastructure and shall evaluate the technical feasibility of creating a backup emergency communications system that complements existing communications resources and takes into account next generation and advanced communications technologies. The overriding objective for the evaluation shall be providing a framework for the development of a resilient interoperable communications system for emergency responders in an emergency. The Commission shall consult with the National Communications System and shall evaluate all reasonable options, including satellites, wireless, and terrestrial-based communications systems and other alternative transport mechanisms that can be used in tandem with existing technologies.

VerDate Aug 31 2005

08:36 Jul 13, 2009

Jkt 059194

PO 00001

Frm 00275

Fmt 6580

Sfmt 6581

O:\FROMSTAT\PUBL053.121

Public information. Web site.

Deadline.

APPS10

PsN: PUBL053

�