At the hearing, the third in a series designed to examine how the federal government can more efficiently provide first responders with the federal assistance they need, Collins announced her plans to introduce the Homeland Security Grant Coordination and Simplification Act. The legislation, which Cleaves endorsed in his testimony, would create an interagency committee charged with eliminating duplication in planning requirements, simplifying the application process, and helping states and localities promote equipment interoperability.
"Federal programs, both within and outside the Department of Homeland Security, provide much-needed support to ensure a basic level of equipment and training among first responders," Collins said. "Yet despite these overlapping goals, federal programs lack the very coordination that we ask of our states and communities. My legislation will ensure that federal agencies help - not hinder-state and local efforts to promote interoperability by collecting information regarding state and local initiatives and developing coordinated plans to provide needed technical assistance."