Duval Times

The Senate has passed a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Rick Scott and Senator Gary Peters aimed at enhancing security measures for federal buildings. The legislation, which addresses a variety of threats faced by federal facilities, mandates that federal agencies respond to security recommendations issued by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) within 90 days. Senator Rick Scott emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, “This good legislation will make sure that when the Federal Protective Service makes safety recommendations for federal offices and buildings, they are quickly reviewed and taken into consideration.” Senator Gary Peters echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for individuals visiting federal buildings to feel safe and secure.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), FPS has made over 25,000 facility security recommendations between fiscal years 2017 and 2021. However, a significant portion of these recommendations were disregarded by agency facility security committees. The Improving Federal Building Security Act aims to address this issue by compelling federal agencies to respond to FPS security recommendations promptly. Additionally, agencies will be required to explain any rejected recommendations to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ensuring transparency in the decision-making process.

Under the new legislation, DHS will oversee the implementation of security measures and monitor agency responses to FPS security assessments. This oversight is intended to hold agencies accountable for their security decisions and ensure the adoption of effective security protocols. Furthermore, DHS will provide annual reports to Congress on agency responses to FPS security assessments, offering insights into the evolving threat landscape facing federal buildings.

The bill, which has now advanced to the House of Representatives for consideration, seeks to strengthen security measures in federal buildings and prioritize the safety of both federal employees and visitors.