Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act
Latest action (10 Mar 2025): On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 9 (Roll no. 65).
What this bill does
H.R. 993, the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act, would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, working through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department's Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to develop and submit to Congress, within 180 days of enactment, a detailed plan for identifying, integrating, and deploying new or advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence, sensors, radar, and imaging systems—to improve border security operations. The plan must cover topics including CBP's use of "Innovation Teams," available procurement authorities, privacy and security impacts on border communities, cost estimates, and coordination with the private sector and researchers. The bill also formally authorizes CBP to maintain Innovation Teams to test and adapt commercial technologies, requiring them to set operating procedures and strategic goals, and to report annually to Congress on their activities and results.
The bill primarily affects the Department of Homeland Security and CBP, which would face new planning and reporting requirements, and indirectly affects border communities, private technology developers, and researchers who may be consulted or whose technologies could be adopted for border security use.
The bill was introduced by Rep. Luis Correa on February 5, 2025, and passed the House on March 10, 2025, by a vote of 406–9. It now goes to the Senate for consideration; no further action has yet occurred there.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act
This 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 detail
• goals 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,
Timeline
10 Mar 2025
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 9 (Roll no. 65).
Common questions
- What does H.R. 993 do?
- H.R. 993, the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act, would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security, working through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department's Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to develop and submit to Congress, within 180 days of enactment, a detailed plan for identifying, integrating, and deploying new or advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence, sensors, radar, and imaging systems—to improve border security operations. The plan must cover topics including CBP's use of "Innovation Teams," available procurement authorities, privacy and security impacts on border communities, cost estimates, and coordination with the private sector and researchers. The bill also formally authorizes CBP to maintain Innovation Teams to test and adapt commercial technologies, requiring them to set operating procedures and strategic goals, and to report annually to Congress on their activities and results. The bill primarily affects the Department of Homeland Security and CBP, which would face new planning and reporting requirements, and indirectly affects border communities, private technology developers, and researchers who may be consulted or whose technologies could be adopted for border security use. The bill was introduced by Rep. Luis Correa on February 5, 2025, and passed the House on March 10, 2025, by a vote of 406–9. It now goes to the Senate for consideration; no further action has yet occurred there.
- Has H.R. 993 become law?
- Not yet. As of 10 Mar 2025, H.R. 993 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 993?
- H.R. 993 was sponsored by Rep. Luis Correa [D-CA46] (Democrat-CA), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 993?
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 406 - 9 (Roll no. 65). (10 Mar 2025).
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