By Ed Somers
May 9, 2005

On May 4, the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee approved its funding bill for FY 2006, including $3.6 billion for state and local first responders.

Specific funding levels include:

• $1.215 billion for high-density urban areas, including $850 million for urban area grants, $150 million for rail security, $150 million for port security, and $65 million for other infrastructure protection;
• $750 million for basic state formula grants;
• $400 million for State and local law enforcement terrorism prevention grants;
• $600 million for firefighter grants;
• $180 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants; and
• $200 million for First Responder training.

These figures reflect a slight increase in funding for urban area grants, level funding in law enforcement grants, and cut in state block grant and fire grants over FY 2005.

The bill also states not less than 10 percent of basic formula grants ($750 million) and urban area grants ($850 million) must be provided to Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers.

In addition, the bill includes a provision allowing funding to go out based on a new formula if approved by Congress for FY 2006 (see USMAYOR story of April 25). If not, the bill would retain the 0.75 percent state minimums, but have the remaining funds distributed based on risk and threat, rather than population as under current law.