H.R. 993 Passed the House Immigration

Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

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.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46] Introduced February 5, 2025 Cosponsors 2 (1 R, 1 D) Latest action March 11, 2025

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,
- 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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

Actions

  1. Mar 11, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  2. Mar 10, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Mar 10, 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). (text: CR H1052-1053)
  4. Mar 10, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1059-1060)
  5. Mar 10, 2025 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  6. Mar 10, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 993.
  7. Mar 10, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1052-1053)
  8. Mar 10, 2025 Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  9. Feb 5, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
  10. Feb 5, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
  11. Feb 5, 2025 Introduced in House

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