December 9, 2025
Mr. Kennedy of New York (for himself and Mr. Thompson of Mississippi) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and certain other laws relating to certain preparedness, transit, and port security grant programs to improve oversight, transparency, and stakeholder engagement in the administration of such grant programs, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the DHS Grants Accountability Act
.
Sec. 2. Improvements to certain preparedness, transit, and port security grant programs
(a) Preparedness grant programs
(1) Homeland Security Grant Programs
Subsection (a) of section 2002 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 603) is amended by striking may
and inserting shall not less frequently than annually
.
(2) Transparency in prioritization
Subsection (a) of section 2007 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 608) is amended—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking consider
and all that follows through area
and inserting allocate such funds to each such State or area on the basis of
; and
(B)
in paragraph (1)(K), by striking writing by the Administrator
and inserting an annual notification the Administrator submits to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate before the issuance of the notice of funding opportunity applicable to the allocation at issue
.
(3) Administration and coordination
Section 2021 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 611) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e);
(B)
by inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsections:
(c) Deadlines and application periods
For each notice of funding opportunity for a grant program under a specified section, the Administrator shall carry out the following:
(1)
Make such notice publicly available in accordance with the deadlines, if any, specified in the applicable appropriations Act, but if no such deadline is so specified, make such notice publicly available not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of such Act.
(2)
Allow each eligible recipient under such grant program not fewer than 30 days after such notice is made publicly available to submit an application with respect to such grant program.
(d) Periods of performance
The Administrator shall make grant funds provided under a specified section available for use by the recipient of such grant funds for a period of not fewer than 54 months.; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(f) Specified section defined
In this section, the term specified section means any of the following:
(1)
Section 2003.
(2)
Section 2004.
(3)
Section 2009.
(4) Risk assessment deadline
Subsection (c)(2)(C) of section 2022 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 612) is amended to read as follows:
(C) Deadline
With respect to any fiscal year for which the Department intends to make a grant or administers a grant, the information required under subparagraph (A) shall be provided not fewer than 30 days before any notice of funding opportunity or other program guidance relating to any such grant.
(5) Conforming amendments
Section 2009 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 609a) is amended—
(A)
by striking subsection (d);
(B)
by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) as subsections (d) through (h), respectively; and
(C)
in subsection (c)(3)(C), by striking (g)
and inserting (f)
.
(b) Transit and port security grant programs
(1) Deadlines and periods with respect to public transportation grants
Section 1406 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1135) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subsection (n) as subsection (o); and
(B)
by striking subsection (m) and inserting the following new subsections:
(m) Period of performance
Funds provided pursuant to a grant awarded under this section for a use specified in subsection (b) shall remain available for use by a grant recipient for a period of not fewer than 54 months.
(n) Deadlines and application periods
For each notice of funding opportunity for the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall carry out the following:
(1)
Make such notice publicly available in accordance with the deadlines, if any, specified in the applicable appropriations Act, but if no such deadline is so specified, make such notice publicly available not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of such Act.
(2)
Allow each eligible recipient under such grant program not fewer than 30 days after such notice is made publicly available to submit an application with respect to such grant program.
(2) Railroad security assistance
Section 1513 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1163) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j); and
(B)
by inserting after subsection (h) the following new subsection:
(i) Deadlines and application periods
For each notice of funding opportunity for the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall carry out the following:
(1)
Make such notice publicly available in accordance with the deadlines, if any, specified in the applicable appropriations Act, but if no such deadline is so specified, make such notice publicly available not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of such Act.
(2)
Allow each eligible recipient under such grant program not fewer than 30 days after such notice is made publicly available to submit an application with respect to such grant program.
(3) Over-the-road bus security assistance
Section 1532 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1182) is amended—
(A)
by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and
(B)
by inserting after subsection (j) the following new subsection:
(k) Deadlines and application periods
For each notice of funding opportunity for the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall carry out the following:
(1)
Make such notice publicly available in accordance with the deadlines, if any, specified in the applicable appropriations Act, but if no such deadline is so specified, make such notice publicly available not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of such Act.
(2)
Allow each eligible recipient under such grant program not fewer than 30 days after such notice is made publicly available to submit an application with respect to such grant program.
(4) Port security grants
Section 70107 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(n) Deadlines and application periods
For each notice of funding opportunity for a grant program under this section, the Secretary shall carry out the following:
(1)
Make such notice publicly available in accordance with the deadlines, if any, specified in the applicable appropriations Act, but if no such deadline is so specified, make such notice publicly available not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of such Act.
(2)
Allow each eligible recipient under such grant program not fewer than 30 days after such notice is made publicly available to submit an application with respect to such grant program.