H.R. 2674 — Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act

This section establishes a new section 324 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 directing the Under Secretary for Science and Technology of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to (1) evaluate existing federal research on approaches to mitigate identified or potential negative effects of climate change on homeland security—including impacts on preparedness, emergency planning and policies for natural disasters, federal funding for disaster and emergency declarations, and other relevant matters—and (2) conduct related research and development (R&D), subject to the availability of appropriations. The R&D scope prioritizes effects impacting DHS operations; requires consultation, and as appropriate coordination, with other federal agencies, state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, and critical infrastructure owners and operators; and defines "climate change" as detectable changes in climate system components directly or indirectly attributed to human activity altering the global atmosphere. This section further requires the Under Secretary to submit reports on such R&D activities to the House Committees on Homeland Security and Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs not later than one year after enactment and annually thereafter for three years. This section also makes a clerical amendment to the Homeland Security Act table of contents.