§ 1107 : ACCESS TO EMERGENCY PERSONNEL

SOUTHWEST BORDER REGION EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS GRANTS.—

1.

IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the governors of the States in the Southwest border region, shall establish a 2-year grant program, to be administered by the Secretary, to improve emergency communications in the Southwest border region.

2.

ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANTS.—An individual is eligible to receive a grant under this subsection if the individual demonstrates that he or she—

A.

regularly resides or works in the Southwest border region;

B.

is at greater risk of border violence due to the lack of cellular service at his or her residence or business and his or her proximity to the Southern border.

3.

USE OF GRANTS.—Grants awarded under this subsection may be used to purchase satellite telephone communications systems and service that—

A.

can provide access to 9–1–1 service; and

B.

are equipped with global positioning systems.

4.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the grant program established under this subsection.

INTEROPERABLE COMMUNICATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.—

1.

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.—There are authorized to be appropriated, to the Department, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, such sums as may be necessary—

A.

to purchase, through a competitive procurement process, P25-compliant radios, which may include a multi-band option, for Federal law enforcement agents working in the Southwest border region in support of the activities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, including law enforcement agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of the Interior, and the Forest Service; and

B.

to upgrade, through a competitive procurement process, the communications network of the Department of Justice to ensure coverage and capacity, particularly when immediate access is needed in times of crisis, in the Southwest border region for appropriate law enforcement personnel of the Department of Justice (including the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), the Department (including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection), the United States Marshals Service, other Federal agencies, the State of Arizona, tribes, and local governments.

2.

STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.—

A.

AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of Justice, during the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, such sums as may be necessary to purchase, through a competitive procurement process, P25-compliant radios, which may include a multi-band option, for State and local law enforcement agents working in the Southwest border region.

B.

ACCESS TO FEDERAL SPECTRUM.—If a State, tribal, or local law enforcement agency in the Southwest border region experiences an emergency situation that necessitates immediate communication with the Department of Justice, the Department, the Department of the Interior, or any of their respective subagencies, such law enforcement agency shall have access to the spectrum assigned to such Federal agency for the duration of such emergency situation.

DISTRESS BEACONS.—

1.

IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, working through U.S. Border Patrol, shall—

A.

identify areas near the Northern border and the Southern border where migrant deaths are occurring due to climatic and environmental conditions; and

B.

deploy up to 1,000 beacon stations in the areas identified pursuant to subparagraph (A).

2.

FEATURES.—Beacon stations deployed pursuant to paragraph (1)should—

A.

include a self-powering mechanism, such as a solar-powered radio button, to signal U.S. Border Patrol personnel or other emergency response personnel that a person at that location is in distress;

B.

include a self-powering cellular phone relay limited to 911 calls to allow persons in distress in the area who are unable to get to the beacon station to signal their location and access emergency personnel; and

C.

be movable to allow U.S. Border Patrol to relocate them as needed—

i.

to mitigate migrant deaths;

ii.

to facilitate access to emergency personnel; and (iii) to address any use of the beacons for diversion by criminals.