WASHINGTON – Republican Sen. Susan Collins announced a plan Wednesday that she said would radically reform the nation’s intelligence capabilities by creating a national intelligence director with the authority to oversee the country’s numerous intelligence organizations, including the FBI and the CIA.

The Pentagon would retain control of military intelligence.

Collins is the head of the Senate governmental affairs committee, which is responsible for translating the 9-11 commission’s ideas into legislation.

Collins said that in a rural state like Maine, with a long border and numerous other security challenges, improving security is critical.

“If you read the 9-11 commission report, you find that the very second paragraph talks about two of the terrorists starting their journey of death and destruction in Portland, Maine,” said Collins, who unveiled the plan alongside ranking Democrat Joe Lieberman of Connecticut in a press conference in the Capitol. “And that reminds us that even smaller states are at risk in the war against terrorism.”

Under the plan, a National Intelligence Director, an idea that is supported by the White House as well as Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, would have broad budgetary authority to decide how money is spent and to shift funds in time of crisis.

Collins said that without such budgetary authority, the new position would be “just another layer of bureaucracy.”

The Sept. 11 commission recommended such a position after it concluded the nation’s 15 intelligence agencies did not communicate among themselves to prevent the terrorist attacks in New York City and in Washington, D.C.

Among the plan’s other proposals is the establishment of a national center that would focus exclusively on combating terrorism. A civil liberties board would also be established to make sure civil rights are not compromised in the interest of security.

Collins said that the legislation would be finalized in time to be debated by the committee by Tuesday of next week. Members of Congress are scheduled to break sometime in mid-October.

“I absolutely believe that we need to finish this year,” said Collins, who added that Congress may have to complete work on the legislation when they return after the elections if they do not finish in time.

In the midst of a bitter election season in which the Sept. 11 attacks have been used for political gain, both senators said that the legislation was a bipartisan effort. Both senators added that they have been working with the White House and have consulted with numerous administration officials, as well as families of Sept. 11 victims.

House leaders said they hope to act on intelligence reform before the October break.

After the press conference, Collins told a group of reporters that she had been in close contact with those from both parties in the House of Representatives, including Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert. She said Hastert had indicated a willingness to get the legislation to the floor of that chamber for a vote.

“It’s the speaker’s call.” But, she said, “I’m not going to get into House politics.”