Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act
Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act
Plain Language Summary
# Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act - Summary **What the Bill Does** If passed, this bill would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security to create a plan for identifying and using cutting-edge technologies to improve border security. The bill specifically authorizes CBP to set up "Innovation Teams" that would research and adapt existing commercial technologies for border operations. The technologies in question include artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced sensors (like fiber-optic and radar systems), and imaging systems designed to detect and identify people and objects. **Key Provisions and Who's Affected** The bill requires CBP to establish specific goals, timelines, and performance metrics to measure how well these new technologies work. It also calls for oversight to assess which technologies used by other agencies might be adapted for border security, and includes consideration of privacy protections.
This primarily affects CBP agents and other border security personnel who would use these technologies, as well as anyone crossing the U.S. border. Taxpayers would fund the initiative, and Congress would oversee its implementation. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is a product of the 119th Congress, sponsored by Representative J. Luis Correa (D-CA). Its next step would be consideration in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Emerging Innovative Border Technologies ActThis bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security to develop a plan to identify, integrate, and deploy emerging and innovative technologies to improve border security operations. Such technologies may incorporate artificial intelligence, machine-learning, automation, fiber-optic sensing technology, nanotechnology, optical and cognitive radar, modeling and simulation technology, hyperspectral and LIDAR sensors, and imaging, identification, and categorization systems. The bill authorizes CBP to establish one or more Innovation Teams to research and adapt commercial technologies that may be used by CBP.The plan must describe how the Innovation Teams have been implemented and also detailgoals and timelines for adoption of qualifying technologies,metrics and key performance parameters for determining the plan's effectiveness,which technologies used by other federal agencies CBP may also utilize,which existing authorities CBP may use to procure technologies,how CBP legacy border technology programs may be replaced,the expected privacy and security impact of security-related technology on border communities, andrecent technological advancements in specified technologies.CBP must provide the plan to Congress within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. The bill also requires CBP to annually report to Congress regarding the activities of the Innovation Teams.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.