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Title 6, Domestic SecurityRelease 119-110

§190 Transfer of Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Department of Agriculture

Title 6 › CHAPTER 1 — HOMELAND SECURITY ORGANIZATION › SUBCHAPTER III — SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF HOMELAND SECURITY › § 190

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Agriculture must transfer the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, with its assets and liabilities, to the Secretary of Homeland Security under subchapter XII. After the transfer, both Secretaries must make an agreement so the Department of Agriculture can keep doing research, diagnostics, and other activities at the Center, and the Secretary of Agriculture will keep directing those activities. The President must notify Congress at least 180 days before any change to the Center’s biosafety level and explain why. No change may occur earlier than 180 days after the transition period ends, as defined in section 541 of this title.

Full Legal Text

Title 6, §190

Domestic Security, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
In accordance with subchapter XII, the Secretary of Agriculture shall transfer to the Secretary of Homeland Security the Plum Island Animal Disease Center of the Department of Agriculture, including the assets and liabilities of the Center.
(b)Continued Department of Agriculture access
On completion of the transfer of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center under subsection (a), the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into an agreement to ensure that the Department of Agriculture is able to carry out research, diagnostic, and other activities of the Department of Agriculture at the Center.
(c)Direction of activities
The Secretary of Agriculture shall continue to direct the research, diagnostic, and other activities of the Department of Agriculture at the Center described in subsection (b).
(d)Notification
(1)In general
At least 180 days before any change in the biosafety level at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, the President shall notify Congress of the change and describe the reasons for the change.
(2)Limitation
No change described in paragraph (1) may be made earlier than 180 days after the completion of the transition period (as defined in section 541 of this title).

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Transfer of National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Pub. L. 117–328, div. A, title VII, § 775, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4509, provided that: “In this or any subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture the operation of and all property required to operate the National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas: Provided, That, such transfer of function shall include the transfer of up to 40 full time equivalent positions, to be completed within 120 days of the

Effective Date

of the transfer of function, as jointly determined by the Secretaries.” Similar provisions were contained in the following prior acts: Pub. L. 117–103, div. A, title VII, § 730, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 92. Pub. L. 116–94, div. B, title VII, § 766, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2655. Disposition of Plum Island Property and Transportation Assets Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title V, § 501(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3136, provided that: “The Administrator of General Services shall ensure that— “(1) Federal property commonly known as Plum Island, New York, including the Orient point [probably should be “Point”] facility, all real and personal property and transportation assets that support Plum Island operations and access to Plum Island, be disposed of as a single consolidated asset; and “(2) such disposal is subject to conditions as may be necessary to protect Government interests and meet program requirements.” Pub. L. 112–74, div. D, title V, § 538, Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 976, which related to disposition of property and transporation assets if the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility were relocated from Plum Island, New York, was repealed by Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title V, § 501(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3136.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

6 U.S.C. § 190

Title 6, Domestic Security

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110