S. 1846 would require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to undertake research and planning activities to mitigate the potential consequences of electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic disturbances—resulting from either intentional acts or natural causes—on critical infrastructure, such as public utilities and national security assets. DHS is currently carrying out programs similar to those required by the bill, and CBO estimates that implementing S. 1846 would not significantly affect spending by the department. Because enacting the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
S. 1846 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.
On July 13, 2015, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 1073, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 25, 2015. The two bills are similar and CBO’s estimates of the budgetary effects are the same.
