PUBLIC LAW 107-296—NOV. 25, 2002 116 STAT. 2143 (3) FUNCTIONS VESTED IN SECRETARY.— Al l functions of all officers, employees, and organizational units of the Department are vested in the Secretary. (b) FUNCTIONS. —The Secretary- CD except as otherwise provided by this Act, may delegate any of the Secretary's functions to any officer, employee, or organizational unit of the Department; (2) shall have the authority to make contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, and to enter into agreements with other executive agencies, as may be necessary and proper to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under this Act or otherwise provided by law; and (3) shall take reasonable steps to ensure that information systems and databases of the Department are compatible with each other and with appropriate databases of other Departments. (c) COORDINATION WITH NON-FEDERAL ENTITIES. —With respect to homeland security, the Secretary shall coordinate through the Office of State and Local Coordination (established under section 801) (including the provision of training and equipment) with State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, with the private sector, and with other entities, including by— (1) coordinating with State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, and with the private sector, to ensure adequate planning, equipment, training, and exercise activities; (2) coordinating and, as appropriate, consolidating, the Federal Government's communications and systems of communications relating to homeland security with State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities, the private sector, other entities, and the public; and (3) distributing or, as appropriate, coordinating the distribution of, warnings and information to State and local government personnel, agencies, and authorities and to the public. (d) MEETINGS OF NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL. —The Secretary may, subject to the direction of the President, attend and participate in meetings of the National Security Council. (e) ISSUANCE OF REGULATIONS.—The issuance of regulations by the Secretary shall be governed by the provisions of chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code, except as specifically provided in this Act, in laws granting regulatory authorities that are transferred by this Act, and in laws enacted after the date of enactment of this Act. (f) SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY.—The Secretary shall appoint a Special Assistant to the Secretary who shall be responsible for— (1) creating and fostering strategic communications with the private sector to enhance the primary mission of the Department to protect the American homeland; (2) advising the Secretary on the impact of the Department's policies, regulations, processes, and actions on the private sector; (3) interfacing with other relevant Federal agencies with homeland security missions to assess the impact of these agencies' actions on the private sector;
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