Overview

Title

An 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.

ELI5 AI

H.R. 7832 is a plan that asks the Secretary of Homeland Security to find and use cool new technologies, like smart computers, to make borders safer. They must tell Congress how it's going and form teams to try out these new tech ideas.

Summary AI

H.R. 7832, known as the "Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act," directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive plan to improve border security using advanced technologies. This plan, to be submitted to Congress within 180 days, involves identifying and integrating new technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning into border operations. The bill also mandates the formation of CBP Innovation Teams to explore and adapt commercial technologies, ensuring these innovations address any existing gaps in border security. Additionally, the legislation requires reporting on the progress and effectiveness of these technological advancements annually.

Published

2024-09-24
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: SENATE
Status: Referred in Senate
Date: 2024-09-24
Package ID: BILLS-118hr7832rfs

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
1,454
Pages:
9
Sentences:
15

Language

Nouns: 438
Verbs: 146
Adjectives: 115
Adverbs: 12
Numbers: 28
Entities: 53

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.77
Average Sentence Length:
96.93
Token Entropy:
5.07
Readability (ARI):
52.98

AnalysisAI

The "Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act," as proposed in Bill H.R. 7832, aims to bolster the United States' border security framework through the incorporation of new and advanced technologies. This legislative effort intends to task the Secretary of Homeland Security with devising a comprehensive plan within six months of the Act's passage. The plan, generated with the support of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other technology-specific branches within the Department of Homeland Security, seeks to identify and deploy technologies like artificial intelligence, drones, and other cutting-edge systems to fill current gaps and improve the robustness of border security operations.

General Summary of the Bill

At its core, the bill is structured to streamline the experiment and adoption of cutting-edge technologies for securing the nation's borders. It specifies the formation of Innovation Teams within the CBP to research and evaluate these technologies critically. A critical aspect of the bill is its requirement for detailed reporting and coordination with other governmental and private sector bodies, thus aiming to leverage shared expertise and resources.

Summary of Significant Issues

The bill sets a tight deadline of 180 days post-enactment for presenting the border technology plan, which may induce pressure on involved agencies, potentially leading to hasty or underdeveloped outputs. This urgency might undermine the thoughtful deliberation necessary for technology integration into national security frameworks. Moreover, the bill encompasses a wide array of technologies but lacks specific directives on prioritizing or managing this diversity, which could result in a fragmented or unfocused approach.

The language utilized, such as the description of technologies as "disruptive," could be misleading or invoke resistance, owing to the term's dual nature as either positive innovation or uninviting change. Furthermore, there is an absence of budgetary considerations, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility and resource allocation in deploying these advanced technologies. Many terms used, including "disruptive technologies" and "capability gaps," remain undefined, potentially leading to varying interpretations and challenges in measuring success effectively.

Potential Impact on the Public

For the general public, the bill could mean enhanced security at national borders, which is paramount for national safety and integrity. By leveraging advanced technologies, the authorities might deter unlawful activities such as smuggling or unauthorized crossings more effectively. However, the public may also hold concerns regarding privacy and the ethical implications of deploying such intrusive technologies.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders such as technology companies and private sector innovators, the bill presents potential opportunities for government partnerships and contracts, stimulating innovation and economic activity within the tech industry. On the other hand, communities situated close to border areas could see significant impacts on their daily lives. While security could be heightened, there might also be disruptions and increased surveillance that these communities find intrusive.

Government agencies tasked with executing this plan will face the challenge of managing the technological spectrum while adhering to strict timelines. Accountability and transparency will remain essential as they work to ensure public funds are utilized responsibly and effectively without undue pressure compromising border security efficacy.

In conclusion, while the bill proposes a forward-thinking integration of technology into national security practices, it necessitates careful consideration around planning, funding, and implementation to address the complexities inherent in balancing innovation with accountability and public welfare.

Issues

  • The deadline of 'not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act' in Section 2(a) could place strong pressure on involved agencies, risking rushed decisions or incomplete plans in an area crucial for national security.

  • The broad and diverse list of technologies in Section 2(a) might lead to fragmented efforts and diffuse accountability, potentially hampering the effectiveness of the border security technology plan.

  • The term 'disruptive' used in Section 2(a) could be interpreted negatively, potentially causing resistance or misunderstandings during implementation, which could impact the adoption of new technologies.

  • Section 2(b)(5) addresses the analysis of authorities available for CBP procurement but lacks detail on criteria to determine if alternative authorities are needed, which could lead to oversight in legal or procedural requirements.

  • The language about 'existing or new programs of record' in Sections 2(c)(1) and 2(c)(2)(A) is vague and might cause confusion on how technologies are transitioned, impacting their effective implementation.

  • In Section 2(b)(12), technologies are identified passively without explicitly ensuring that CBP has the capability or resources to adopt them, raising concerns about resource allocation and capability to deploy.

  • The absence of budgetary discussions in Section 2 raises concerns about potential overspending or the need for additional appropriations, which is essential for public financial scrutiny and responsible spending.

  • Terms like 'documented capability gaps', 'metrics', and 'disruptive technologies' used throughout Section 2 are abstract, lacking precise definitions which could lead to inconsistent understanding and measurement of success.

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of the bill states that the official name of this legislation is the "Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act".

2. Innovative and emerging border technology plan Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The section outlines a plan for the Secretary of Homeland Security to identify and deploy new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and drones, to improve border security. It also explains how the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will form teams to research these technologies, evaluate their effectiveness, and coordinate with other government and private sector entities to enhance border operations.