; and (2) recommendations, as necessary, to ensure implementation of the regulations referred to in subsection (a). 204. Research and development (a) In general Subsection (h) of section 1409 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 ( Public Law 110–53 ; 6 U.S.C. 1138 ) is amended by striking to make grants and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022. . (b) Emerging issues Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding technological, privacy, and operational considerations with respect to the potential for— (1) next generation technologies to be integrated into systems of surface transportation assets to detect explosives, including through the deployment of mobile explosives detection technologies to conduct risk-based passenger and property screening at high-risk passenger rail and public transportation systems; (2) providing passenger rail and public transportation system operators with access to the Transportation Security Administration’s Secure Flight Program or a similar passenger vetting system maintained by the Transportation Security Administration; (3) deploying a credential authentication technology or other means of identification document inspection to high-risk passenger rail and public transportation systems to assist operators conducting passenger vetting