# 118-hr-3254: First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act

118-hr-3254, First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act, is a 118th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10] (D-NJ); status became_law (as of 2026-01-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hr-3254
- As of: 2026-01-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 118-hr-3254
- Congress: 118
- Title: First Responder Access to Innovative Technologies Act
- Status: became_law
- Introduced: 2023-05-11
- Sponsor: Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr. [D-NJ-10] (D-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Emergency Management
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-01-04

## Summary

**Creates a uniform Department of Homeland Security (DHS) review to let first responders use federal preparedness grants to buy equipment that does not meet national voluntary consensus standards.** The process sets clear evaluation factors and requires an Inspector General report within three years on requests, approvals, and processing times. - First responders and grant applicants: Can request grant funds to buy innovative or non-standard equipment when they show it fills a capability gap. Applications can target items not on the Administrator's Authorized Equipment List. - DHS Administrator: Must apply a clear evaluation framework and weigh factors such as past federal or military use, absence of a national standard, international standards, and how the equipment addresses the capability gap. - Oversight and reporting: The Department of Homeland Security Inspector General must report within 3 years on the number of requests reviewed, the capability gaps cited, numbers approved or denied, and review processing times.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Rep. Strong, Dale W. [R-AL-5] (R-AL), 2023-05-11T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Faster Homeland Security reviews for first responder gear: benefit, medium. The law creates one clear review for DHS grants to buy first responder gear. It applies when gear is not on the Authorized Equipment List or does not meet national consensus standards. DHS must weigh federal or military use, any international standard, the applicant’s capability gap, and whether th…

## Related bills

- 118-hres-771: Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.
- 118-hr-1818: Aviation Workforce Development Act
- 118-hr-807: Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act
- 118-hr-537: Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act
- 118-hr-4583: Social Security 2100 Act
- 118-hr-1096: 250th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Commemorative Coin Act

## Sources
- [118-hr-3254 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3254)

## Related
- [118-hres-771: Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hres-771)
- [118-hr-1818: Aviation Workforce Development Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hr-1818)
- [118-hr-807: Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hr-807)
- [118-hr-537: Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hr-537)
- [118-hr-4583: Social Security 2100 Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hr-4583)
- [118-hr-1096: 250th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Commemorative Coin Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hr-1096)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/118-hr-3254 (as of 2026-01-04).