DHS Special Events Program and Support Act | ChamberLight

REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 1508Congressional oversightGovernment information and archives

DHS Special Events Program and Support Act

INTRO FEB 21· LAST ACTION APR 9

READING

4MIN

COSPONSORS

3BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

Reported, not passed

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it aims to improve the safety and security of everyday public events and gatherings across the country. In a world where threats like terrorism or mass violence are concerns, this bill provides a more structured and consistent way for local authorities to get federal help in protecting people at concerts, parades, fairs, and other community events.

If this bill becomes law, it means that events not currently designated as top-tier security risks could still benefit from DHS expertise and support, potentially preventing incidents or enhancing emergency responses. If it doesn't become law, local jurisdictions might continue to rely on more ad-hoc or less coordinated security arrangements for many pre-planned events, potentially leading to gaps in security planning or resource allocation.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a program to assess threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences for pre-planned special events not designated as National Special Security Events.

This establishes a formal way for DHS to evaluate security risks for a broader range of public gatherings.

PROVISION 02

Creates a standard process for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials to voluntarily request a security rating and potential direct support from DHS for their special events.

This provides local authorities a clear avenue to seek federal security assistance and resources for their events.

PROVISION 03

Requires DHS to use a risk-based approach when evaluating security requests, considering factors like anticipated attendance, venue size, and credible threats.

This ensures that federal security resources are allocated efficiently and based on actual assessed risks.

PROVISION 04

Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide security and situational awareness support to special events upon request from appropriate officials.

This grants DHS the authority to deploy necessary resources to enhance the safety of events that qualify for support.

PROVISION 05

Mandates annual reports to Congress on the program's activities and periodic assessments of its effectiveness, including research and development for mass gathering security.

This ensures transparency, oversight, and continuous improvement of the program's operations and capabilities.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 3

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 66%

DEM 2 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

7 EVENTS

APR 9

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

APR 9

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

COMMITTEE

MAR 25

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

MAR 25

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

COMMITTEE

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 1508

Congress119th

StatusReported

IntroducedFeb 21, 2025

Last actionApr 9, 2025

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REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED FEB 21, 2025

House BillHR 1508Congressional oversightGovernment information and archives

DHS Special Events Program and Support Act

INTRODUCED FEB 21, 2025· LAST ACTION APR 9, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

4 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 3 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

This establishes a formal way for DHS to evaluate security risks for a broader range of public gatherings.

high

Creates a standard process for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials to voluntarily request a security rating and potential direct support from DHS for their special events.

This provides local authorities a clear avenue to seek federal security assistance and resources for their events.

med

Requires DHS to use a risk-based approach when evaluating security requests, considering factors like anticipated attendance, venue size, and credible threats.

This ensures that federal security resources are allocated efficiently and based on actual assessed risks.

high

Allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide security and situational awareness support to special events upon request from appropriate officials.

This grants DHS the authority to deploy necessary resources to enhance the safety of events that qualify for support.

med

Mandates annual reports to Congress on the program's activities and periodic assessments of its effectiveness, including research and development for mass gathering security.

This ensures transparency, oversight, and continuous improvement of the program's operations and capabilities.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than one year after enactment, and annually thereafter.

Secretary shall submit an annual report on the program to Congress.

Not later than one year after enactment, and every five years thereafter.

Secretary shall submit an assessment of the program to Congress.

Not later than one year after enactment.

Secretary of Homeland Security shall carry out research and development for mass gathering security.

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Special Event: A pre-planned gathering or public activity that is not already designated as a 'National Special Security Event'.
Threat: A potential danger or risk to security, such as terrorism or other harmful acts.
Vulnerability: A weakness in a system or security plan that could be exploited by a threat.
Consequences: The potential negative outcomes or damage that could result if a security threat occurs.
Situational Awareness: Understanding what is happening in a specific environment, its meaning, and how it might evolve, to make informed decisions.
Risk-based methodology: A way of making decisions by considering the likelihood of a negative event and the severity of its potential impact.
Homeland Security Information: Information related to protecting the United States from terrorism and other critical dangers.
National Special Security Event (NSSE)

ACTION TIMELINE

7 EVENTS

APR 9, 25

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

APR 9, 25

Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

COMMITTEE

MAR 25, 25

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

COMMITTEE

MAR 25, 25

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

COMMITTEE

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MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Judiciary CommitteeReferred

Feb 21, 2025

house

Related Hearings

H.R. 1327, (Mr. Luttrell) the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 1508, (Ms. Titus) the “DHS Special Events Program and Support Act”; H.R. 1736, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act”; H.R. 2116, (Mr. Evans of CO) the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2139, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2158, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025”; H.R. 2212, (Mr. Mackenzie) the “DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act”; H.R. 2259, (Mr. Tony Gonzales of TX) the “National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025”; H.R. 2261, (Mr. Hernández) the “Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act"; and H.R. 2285, (Ms. Pou) the “DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025”

Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee (house)Mar 25, 2025

Transcript Video

H.R. 275, (Ms. Greene of Georgia) the “Special Interest Alien Reporting Act of 2024”; H.R. 820, (Mr. Swalwell) the “Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act”; H.R. 881, (Mr. Pfluger) the “DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act”; H.R. 1327, (Mr. Luttrell) the “Syria Terrorism Threat Assessment Act”; H.R. 1508, (Ms. Titus) the “DHS Special Events Program and Support Act”; H.R. 1569, (Mr. Higgins of Louisiana) the “Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful Fentanyl Act” or the “CATCH Fentanyl Act”; H.R. 1608, (Mr. Gimenez) the “Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025”; H.R. 2116, (Mr. Evans of Colorado) the “Law Enforcement Support and Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2139, (Mr. Magaziner) the “Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act”; H.R. 2158, (Mr. Pfluger) the “Countering Transnational Repression Act of 2025”; H.R. 2285, (Ms. Pou) the “DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025”; and, H.R. 2659, (Mr. Ogles) the “Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act”

Homeland Security Committee (house)Apr 9, 2025

Video

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DHS Special Events Program and Support Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

DHS Special Events Program and Support Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

Committee Referrals

Related Hearings