PUBLIC LAW 104-201—SEPT. 23, 1996 110 STAT. 2717 for emergencies involving nuclear, radiological, biological, or chemical weapons or related materials. (25) Sharing of the expertise and capabilities of the Department of Defense, which traditionally has provided assistance to Federal, State, and local officials in neutralizing, dismantling, and disposing of explosive ordnance, as well as radiological, biological, and chemical materials, can be a vital contribution to the development and deployment of countermeasures against nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction. (26) The United States lacks effective policy coordination regarding the threat posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. SEC. 1403. DEFINITIONS. 50 USC 2302. In this title: (1) The term "weapon of mass destruction" means any weapon or device that is intended, or has the capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of people through the release, dissemination, or impact of— (A) toxic or poisonous chemicals or their precursors; (B) a disease organism; or (C) radiation or radioactivity. (2) The term "independent states of the former Soviet Union" has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5801). (3) The term "highly enriched uranium" means uranium enriched to 20 percent or more in the isotope U-235. Subtitle A—Domestic Preparedness SEC. 1411. RESPONSE TO THREATS OF TERRORIST USE OF WEAPONS President. OF MASS DESTRUCTION. 50 USC 2311. (a) ENHANCED RESPONSE CAPABILITY.— In light of the potential for terrorist use of weapons of mass destruction against the United States, the President shall take immediate action— (1) to enhance the capability of the Federal Government to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction; and (2) to provide enhanced support to improve the capabilities of State and local emergency response agencies to prevent and respond to such incidents at both the national and the local level. (b) REPORT REQUIRED. — Not later than January 31, 1997, the President shall transmit to Congress a report containing— (1) an assessment of the capabilities of the Federal (Government to prevent and respond to terrorist incidents involving weapons of mass destruction and to support State and local prevention and response efforts; (2) requirements for improvements in those capabilities; and (3) the measures that should be taken to achieve such improvements, including additional resources and legislative authorities that would be required.
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