Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

Hozzl · 2025-03-14T16:25:57Z

Explore the details of House Bill 993 Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act currently in Congress. Get insights into its purpose, current status, sponsors, and potential impact on Immigration. Stay informed on legislative developments.

3/14/2025, 4:25 PM

Summary of Bill HR 993

Bill 119 hr 993, also known as the "Border Security Technology Innovation Act," aims to improve border security operations by requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a plan to identify, integrate, and utilize new and advanced technologies. These technologies could include innovative, disruptive, or emerging tools that can enhance border security or address any gaps in capability.

The bill emphasizes the importance of staying ahead of evolving threats and ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security has access to the most cutting-edge technologies available. By developing a comprehensive plan for the integration of these technologies, the bill seeks to enhance the effectiveness of border security operations and improve overall national security.

In addition to developing this plan, the bill also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide regular updates to Congress on the progress of implementing these new technologies. This transparency and accountability measure ensures that lawmakers are kept informed of the Department's efforts to enhance border security. Overall, the Border Security Technology Innovation Act aims to leverage new and advanced technologies to strengthen border security operations and address any capability gaps that may exist. By prioritizing innovation and staying ahead of emerging threats, the bill seeks to enhance the security of the United States' borders and protect the safety of its citizens.

Congressional Summary of HR 993

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;
how CBP legacy border technology programs may be replaced;
the expected privacy and security impact of security-related technology on border communities; and
recent 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.

Read the Full Bill

Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Current Status of Bill HR 993

Bill HR 993 is currently in the status of Introduced to Senate since March 11, 2025. Bill HR 993 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the House on February 5, 2025. Bill HR 993's most recent activity was Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. as of March 11, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 993

Total Number of Sponsors

Democrat Sponsors

Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

Democrat Cosponsors

Republican Cosponsors

Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 993

Primary Policy Focus

Immigration

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 993

To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan to identify, integrate, and deploy new, innovative, disruptive, or other emerging or advanced technologies to enhance, or address capability gaps in, border security operations, and for other purposes.To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a plan to identify, integrate, and deploy new, innovative, disruptive, or other emerging or advanced technologies to enhance, or address capability gaps in, border security operations, and for other purposes.

Start holding our government accountable!