House passes info sharing bill. On 26 June, the House passed a terrorism-fighting bill that will make it easier to share information among the FBI, the CIA and local law enforcement. The legislation is part of congressional efforts to break down the walls that prevent intelligence agencies from disclosing important information to other government sources. Under the legislation, which must be approved by the Senate, information-sharing procedures would be in place within six months. Classified information would be edited so it could be shared with state and local authorities. The bill also would require the president to develop guidelines for sharing classified and sensitive intelligence information. (Federal Computer Week, 27 Jun) Air patrols. The U.S. military will step up random air patrols over major US cities on the Fourth of July as a precaution, according to Pentagon officials. "This is not in response to any specific threat," said a senior defense official. "It's more a recognition that it is a day of symbolic significance." The move comes as the Federal Aviation Administration has announced restrictions beginning 4 July on flights around popular U.S. landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, and the Gateway Arch. Round-the-clock combat air patrols over Washington and New York ended in April, and since then patrols by fighter jets have been conducted on a random and unannounced basis. Over the Fourth of July holiday, more jets than usual will be patrolling the skies over Washington, New York, and other unspecified major cities, Pentagon officials said. Currently, there is a 15-mile circle around the Washington Monument that is off limits to general aviation, and expanding that restricted zone would impose a economic burden on Washington airports (CNN.com, 28 Jun) Officials urge Americans to be vigilant on Fourth of July. Americans should take extra care on the Fourth of July because the national holiday is an attractive symbol to potential terrorists, according to Bush administration officials. The FBI plans to monitor and protect major Independence Day parades and festivities as a precaution against an attack. The bureau also has issued a law enforcement bulletin asking police to be on heightened alert even though no specific new intelligence suggests an attack. "There have been a variety of intelligence reports that suggest we ought to be especially vigilant as we go into the Fourth of July season," Secretary of State Colin Powell said. The information about a threat is not specific, Powell said, but rather "the usual body of information and intelligence that comes forward." He said the FBI, CIA and other agencies on the federal, state and local levels "are examining all of this carefully so that we can make sure that we are on alert but, at the same time, make sure that the American people can enjoy our national holiday." (NY Times.com, 30 Jun) Another state advances pilot background check requirement -- New York legislature latest to act. On 26 June, the New York State Assembly approved a measure, (A.B. 11863), requiring criminal history records checks for individuals seeking to learn to fly or obtain flight training for an advanced rating or certificate. The measure now goes to the Senate Committee on Rules as early as 2 July. New York is the seventh state where this type of legislation is being considered. Only Michigan has enacted such a requirement to date. (AOPA.org, 28 Jun) ~RM
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