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Version 49 · Public Law · Nov 5, 2015
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 21, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
DHS Social Media Improvement Act of 2015
(Sec. 2) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a social media working group (the Group) to identify, and provide guidance and best practices to the emergency preparedness and response community on, the use of social media technologies before, during, and after a natural disaster or an act of terrorism or other man-made disaster.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Requires the Group to submit an annual report that includes:
a review and analysis of social media technologies used to support preparedness and response activities;
a review of best practices and lessons learned;
recommendations to improve DHS's use of social media technologies for emergency management purposes, recommendations to improve public awareness of the type of information disseminated through such technologies, and recommendations on how to access such information during a disaster;
a review of available training for government officials on the use of social media technologies in response to a disaster; and
a review of coordination efforts with the private sector to discuss and resolve legal, operational, technical, privacy, and security concerns.
Terminates the Group five years after the enactment of this Act unless the chairperson renews it for a successive five-year period by submitting a certification that the continued existence of the Group is necessary. Provides for successive five-year renewal periods.
People & committees
Rep. Brooks, Susan W. [R-IN-5] · R–IN
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 114-80.
Became Public Law No: 114-80.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote. (text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H7314-7315)
Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.(text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR H7314-7315)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 623.
Mr. Costello (PA) moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H7314-7316)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7223-7224; text as passed Senate: CR S7223-7224)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7223-7224; text as passed Senate: CR S7223-7224)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 234.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-145.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-145.
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 328 - 51 (Roll no. 53). (text: CR H680-681)
House roll call 53 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 328 - 51 (Roll no. 53).(text: CR H680-681)
House roll call 53 · Individual votesConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H685)
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 623.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H680-683)
Mrs. Brooks (IN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.623 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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