DHS Special Events Program and Support Act

The bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to create a formal program within DHS for assessing threats at pre-planned special events that have not been designated as National Special Security Events by the President or the Secretary. Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials could voluntarily submit event-rating requests to DHS, which would evaluate them using a risk-based methodology weighing factors such as the anticipated presence of U.S. officials or foreign dignitaries, the size and venue of the event, and credible threat information. A high enough rating could result in DHS providing direct security and situational awareness support. The bill also includes a process for expedited review and reassessment of ratings, and directs DHS to conduct research and development — including operational testing — of technologies for securing mass gatherings, consistent with constitutional, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections.

The bill would not require any event organizer or government official to participate; all submissions are voluntary. DHS would report to two congressional committees annually on total events assessed, support provided, and reassessment requests, and would submit broader program assessments every five years. No specific appropriation is included.

Federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial officials who plan or oversee large public events and may seek DHS security support. DHS personnel — including the Science and Technology directorate — responsible for operating the rating program and conducting mass-gathering research. Private event organizers are not directly reached; only government officials may submit rating requests.

Without explicit statutory authority, DHS's ability to assess and support security at events below the National Special Security Event threshold rests on informal arrangements. This bill would give DHS a clear legal footing and a consistent, documented process for that work, potentially improving coordination for major events — large concerts, sports competitions, civic gatherings — that currently receive ad hoc federal attention or none at all.

DHS would stand up a standardized intake process through which eligible government officials voluntarily submit event-rating requests. The department would then apply a risk-based scoring methodology — weighing dignitaries' attendance, venue size, and threat intelligence — to assign ratings and determine whether to deploy security and situational awareness support. An expedited track and a reassessment option must also be built in. Separately, the Secretary, in coordination with the Science and Technology Undersecretary, would conduct R&D and operational testing of mass-gathering security tools. Annual congressional reports and five-year program assessments provide ongoing oversight.