CATCH Fentanyl Act
Latest action (10 Apr 2024): Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
What this bill does
The CATCH Fentanyl Act would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Innovation Team and in coordination with the CBP Office of Field Operations and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, to launch pilot projects within one year of enactment testing new technologies at land ports of entry. The goal is to speed up and improve cargo and vehicle inspections so officers can better detect contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, human smuggling, and other threats. At least five types of nonintrusive inspection technology enhancements must be tested, drawn from categories such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, quantum sensing, or other emerging technologies, with priority given to cost-effective solutions. The pilots would run for five years, after which DHS must report to Congress on results, costs, an inventory of CBP's existing inspection technologies, and recommendations for wider deployment. DHS privacy and civil rights officials must also assess and report on privacy and civil liberties impacts both before and after the pilots.
The bill primarily affects CBP operations at land border crossings, technology vendors who might supply new inspection tools, and travelers or shipments passing through affected ports, who could experience changed inspection procedures. It does not create new criminal penalties or directly regulate individuals.
Introduced by Senator John Cornyn (with Senator Hassan) in March 2024, the bill was reviewed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which reported it favorably with an amendment in December 2024. It has not yet received a floor vote in either chamber, and as a bill from a prior Congress, it would need to be reintroduced to advance further.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill was introduced on April 10, 2024, in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
Timeline
10 Apr 2024
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 4062 do?
- The CATCH Fentanyl Act would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, through U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Innovation Team and in coordination with the CBP Office of Field Operations and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, to launch pilot projects within one year of enactment testing new technologies at land ports of entry. The goal is to speed up and improve cargo and vehicle inspections so officers can better detect contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, human smuggling, and other threats. At least five types of nonintrusive inspection technology enhancements must be tested, drawn from categories such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, quantum sensing, or other emerging technologies, with priority given to cost-effective solutions. The pilots would run for five years, after which DHS must report to Congress on results, costs, an inventory of CBP's existing inspection technologies, and recommendations for wider deployment. DHS privacy and civil rights officials must also assess and report on privacy and civil liberties impacts both before and after the pilots. The bill primarily affects CBP operations at land border crossings, technology vendors who might supply new inspection tools, and travelers or shipments passing through affected ports, who could experience changed inspection procedures. It does not create new criminal penalties or directly regulate individuals. Introduced by Senator John Cornyn (with Senator Hassan) in March 2024, the bill was reviewed by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which reported it favorably with an amendment in December 2024. It has not yet received a floor vote in either chamber, and as a bill from a prior Congress, it would need to be reintroduced to advance further.
- Has S. 4062 become law?
- Not yet. As of 10 Apr 2024, S. 4062 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 4062?
- S. 4062 was sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX] (Republican-TX), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on S. 4062?
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. (10 Apr 2024).
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