Homeland security tech grants could total $11 billion
More dollars proposed for border and port security and mass transportation systems over the next five years.
The federal government could issue more than $11 billion in grants for homeland security technology over the next five years, according to a new report.
The funding would provide money for state and local governments to implement technology projects in the areas of transportation, border and port security and personal identification, according to the report, which was produced by INPUT, a Reston, Va.-based IT consulting firm.
The money would pay for technologies created specifically for the purpose of border protection, seaport security and the safekeeping of mass transportation systems.
"Anxiety over the safety of our major roadways and points of entry has produced a large number of aggressive and valuable technology grant programs, covering many facets of transportation and border security," said Suzy Haleen, INPUT's manager of grant products and author of the report.
Legislation introduced earlier this year by House lawmakers proposes $7.45 billion in spending for rail security over the next five years. The additional money would be allocated to technologies designed to prevent the capture of communications infrastructure.
Railroad security spending would provide about $250 million in fiscal 2006 to upgrade freight railroads, the Alaska Railroad, hazardous materials shipping and Amtrak.
A bill in the Senate recommends increasing President Bush's $600 million proposal for port security by $3.5 billion in grant funding over the next four years. The Homeland Security Department has been granted $397 million for port security since 2003, with most of the dollars going to the border states of Texas, California, Washington, Florida and New York. The money would go toward border and port security enhancements and cargo container security improvements.
Money for implementing radiation detection systems also is included in the Senate bill.
Grant money for improving Social Security cards, employment eligibility databases and technology to integrate the DHS and FBI fingerprint databases is included in a House bill that totals $40 million.
Another piece of House legislation would establish regulations and standards for state driver licenses and identification documents. Funding for this legislation has not been established.