Senator Feinstein Introduces Legislation to Encourage Federal Agencies to Share More Homeland Defense Intelligence with State and Local Governments

Senator Feinstein Introduces Legislation to Encourage Federal Agencies to Share More Homeland Defense Intelligence with State and Local Governments
August 2, 2002

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif) introduced legislation last night to increase state and local access to federally collected security information in order better protect our citizens.

"Information gathered at the federal level must be shared with states and localities if we are to triumph in the battle against terrorism," Senator Feinstein said. "Too often, however, state and local officials do not receive information necessary for them to protect us. If, for instance, there were a terrorist threat against the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, we would want a cooperative effort between the Federal government and local officials."

Establish procedures for federal agencies to share homeland security information with state and local officials.
Establish procedures for all government officials to be able to communicate with each other.
Address concerns about too much dissemination of classified or sensitive information by setting procedures to protect this materials, such as background checks of local officials or non-disclosure agreements.
Ensure that our current information sharing systems and computers are capable of sharing relevant homeland security information.

"Better information sharing will result in better homeland security," Senator Feinstein said. "We are already working on making intelligence gathering and dissemination work better within the federal government. We must not forget to improve communications with state and local law enforcement as well."

Companion legislation introduced by Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) and Rep. Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia) was approved by the House on June 26^th by a vote of 422-2.