First responders grant program

(a) Authorization The Administrator may award grants to eligible entities for the purpose of funding direct costs associated with responding to a substantial and rapid increase in the arrival or presence of aliens who have recently entered the United States. (b) Permitted uses Funds received under the grant program authorized by this section may be used by an eligible entity for— (1) equipment, including maintenance and sustainment costs; (2) allowable and approved personnel costs, including salaries, overtime pay, fringe benefits, and backfill positions for law enforcement and first responder personnel; and (3) any other appropriate activity or cost that was incurred in the eligible entity’s jurisdiction, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, to respond directly to a substantial and rapid increase in the arrival or presence of aliens who have recently entered the United States. (c) Geographic distribution The Administrator shall award not less than 25 percent of the funds appropriated for grants under this section to eligible entities located in States that share a border with Canada or with Mexico. (d) Collection of information For each fiscal year during which grants are awarded pursuant to this section that begins on or after the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall separately collect and maintain financial information with respect to grants awarded under this section, including— (1) the amount of such awards; (2) the amount obligated for such awards; (3) the amount of outlays expended for such awards; (4) financial plans with respect to the use of such awards; (5) any funding transfers or reallocations related to such awards; and (6) any adjustments to spending plans or reprogramming related to such awards. (e) Administrator oversight (1) Guidelines The Administrator shall establish and implement guidelines that— (A) ensure amounts made available for grants under this section are used in accordance with grant guidance and applicable laws; (B) increase the proportion of each grant made under this section that is used for operational expenses by the ultimate grantee; (C) improve program performance reporting and program performance measurements to facilitate designing, implementing, and enforcing procedures under this section; and (D) require the recording of standardized performance data regarding program output. (2) Submission Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit the guidelines established pursuant to paragraph (1) to the appropriate congressional committees. (f) Reports and briefings During the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in coordination with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Director of U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, shall submit an annual report and provide an annual briefing to the appropriate congressional committees that includes, for the period covered by each such report— (1) information regarding how each recipient of grant funds under this section expended amounts received under such grant; (2) information regarding the nature of operations carried out using such grant funds; and (3) with respect to the first report submitted pursuant to this subsection— (A) an examination of the effects that changing the grant program established under this section to award multi-year grants would have on its mission; and (B) any findings and recommendations regarding changes that could improve the grant program, which may include feedback from grant recipients.