H.R. 7174 would reauthorize the National Computer Forensics Institute at the Department of Homeland Security through fiscal year 2032. The current authorization for this program expires at the end of fiscal year 2022. The bill would require the institute to update its curriculum to include investigating cybersecurity incidents, conducting forensic examinations, and using digital evidence in court. Also, the bill would require the institute to analyze how it could expand its capacity and to report to the Congress on its activities.
The Congress appropriated $43 million for the institute in 2022. Using historical spending patterns and adjusting for inflation, CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 7174 would cost $227 million over the 2022-2027 period and an additional $275 million after 2027; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
