CATCH Fentanyl Act
Latest action (25 Feb 2025): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 703, the CATCH Fentanyl Act, would direct the Department of Homeland Security to establish a five-year pilot program testing new technologies to speed up and improve cargo and vehicle inspections at land ports of entry along U.S. borders. Led by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Innovation Team, working with CBP field operations and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, the program must test at least five types of nonintrusive inspection technology enhancements, drawn from categories such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, and quantum sensing, aimed at detecting contraband, drugs, weapons, and threats. The bill sets criteria for evaluating these technologies, including detection accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and privacy protections, and requires data-privacy safeguards during testing.
The bill primarily affects DHS and CBP operations at land border crossings, as well as private technology companies that may participate by offering commercial detection systems. It would also indirectly affect travelers and cargo shippers subject to inspection, since the pilot could change how inspections are conducted. The Secretary of Homeland Security must report to Congress on the pilot's results, costs, and privacy/civil liberties impacts, both before and after implementation. Notably, the bill does not authorize any new funding to carry out these activities.
The bill was introduced on February 25, 2025, by Senator John Cornyn with bipartisan cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee and floor action in both chambers before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on February 25, 2025. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 703 do?
- S. 703, the CATCH Fentanyl Act, would direct the Department of Homeland Security to establish a five-year pilot program testing new technologies to speed up and improve cargo and vehicle inspections at land ports of entry along U.S. borders. Led by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Innovation Team, working with CBP field operations and the DHS Science and Technology Directorate, the program must test at least five types of nonintrusive inspection technology enhancements, drawn from categories such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-performance computing, and quantum sensing, aimed at detecting contraband, drugs, weapons, and threats. The bill sets criteria for evaluating these technologies, including detection accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and privacy protections, and requires data-privacy safeguards during testing. The bill primarily affects DHS and CBP operations at land border crossings, as well as private technology companies that may participate by offering commercial detection systems. It would also indirectly affect travelers and cargo shippers subject to inspection, since the pilot could change how inspections are conducted. The Secretary of Homeland Security must report to Congress on the pilot's results, costs, and privacy/civil liberties impacts, both before and after implementation. Notably, the bill does not authorize any new funding to carry out these activities. The bill was introduced on February 25, 2025, by Senator John Cornyn with bipartisan cosponsors, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee and floor action in both chambers before it could become law.
- Has S. 703 become law?
- Not yet. As of 25 Feb 2025, S. 703 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 703?
- S. 703 was sponsored by Sen. John Cornyn [R-TX] (Republican-TX), with 11 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 703?
- Introduced (25 Feb 2025).
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