Overview
Title
To prohibit the operation within 25 miles of a military installation, a facility of the Federal Government, or sensitive infrastructure of certain technology manufactured in a country that is an adversary of the United States, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to stop certain gadgets from countries not friendly with the U.S. from being used close to important places like army bases or government buildings, to keep everyone safe. It also asks for a study to learn more about how risky these gadgets can be.
Summary AI
The Countering Adversary Reconnaissance (CAR) Act of 2024 aims to ban the use of certain connected vehicle technologies within 25 miles of U.S. military bases, federal facilities, or other sensitive infrastructure. This prohibition applies to technologies created, developed, or supplied by companies from countries considered adversaries of the United States to prevent surveillance and protect national security. The President can adjust the restricted areas around military installations if deemed necessary. Additionally, the bill calls for a joint study to evaluate the security risks posed by these technologies, with findings to be reported to Congress and shared with the public.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The Countering Adversary Reconnaissance (CAR) Act of 2024 aims to address national security concerns by prohibiting the operation of certain technologies near sensitive sites. The bill targets connected vehicles and their components that are made in countries considered adversaries of the United States. These technologies are banned within 25 miles of military installations, federal facilities, and sensitive infrastructure. The President has the discretion to adjust this distance for particular sensitive areas. Additionally, the bill mandates a study to assess the security risks these technologies pose, requiring a subsequent report to Congress.
Significant Issues
One significant issue is the broad discretion granted to the President in modifying the prohibition radius. This could lead to inconsistencies or political influence, affecting how sensitive areas are classified and protected. Additionally, definitions used in the bill, such as "foreign adversary" and "sensitive infrastructure," are based on existing regulations that can change over time, potentially impacting the bill's scope.
Another concern is the time and resources required to conduct the mandated study within 120 days. This tight deadline may burden the involved agencies and affect the quality of the report. Furthermore, defining "sensitive infrastructure" through joint regulations of multiple agencies could lead to jurisdictional conflicts and delays.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, the bill aims to bolster national security by limiting potential electronic surveillance or reconnaissance near critical sites. While this has clear security benefits, it might also result in certain inconveniences. For instance, those living close to military installations or federal facilities might face restrictions on using particular connected vehicles, affecting daily commutes or operations.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Manufacturers and Operators: Companies producing or operating connected vehicles may face economic challenges, especially if they rely on components from countries deemed adversaries. These entities would need to verify the origin of their technology, leading to potential ethical and legal challenges. Moreover, they might incur costs related to compliance or adjusting product designs.
Federal Agencies: Agencies charged with conducting the security study will need to allocate significant resources to meet the legislative demands, impacting their operational priorities. The involvement of multiple federal entities in defining "sensitive infrastructure" could lead to operational complexities affecting timely implementation.
Local Economies: Areas within the 25-mile radius might experience economic impacts if the prohibition affects local businesses reliant on connected technology. This could create tension between national security interests and economic vitality in some communities.
Overall, while the CAR Act of 2024 seeks to protect national security, it also poses challenges that must be addressed to balance security interests with economic and operational realities.
Issues
The provision allowing the President to modify the radius of the prohibition (Section 2(b)(2)) grants broad discretionary power, which could lead to inconsistent application or political influence over which areas are considered sensitive, possibly impacting national security or local economies.
The definition of 'foreign adversary' relies on an external regulation (Section 2(e)(2)), which may change over time. This dependency could inadvertently broaden or narrow the scope of the bill's prohibitions without direct legislative oversight, potentially leading to legal and diplomatic challenges.
The requirement for a study and report on national security concerns posed by covered technology (Section 2(d)) may result in significant time and resource commitments for the involved agencies. The tight deadline of 120 days for both classified and unclassified reports may be burdensome, resulting in potential delays or incomplete analyses.
The definition of 'sensitive infrastructure' relies on regulations prescribed jointly by numerous federal agencies (Section 2(e)(4)). This could lead to delays or complications in establishing a clear scope and may result in jurisdictional conflicts among the agencies, affecting timely enforcement or clarity of the bill.
The bill's prohibition on the operation of certain technology within 25 miles of specified sensitive sites (Section 2(b)(1)) may have economic and operational impacts on manufacturers and operators of connected vehicles, especially those who are not easily able to verify the origin of their components, potentially leading to ethical and legal disputes.
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 Act designates its short title as the “Countering Adversary Reconnaissance (CAR) Act of 2024”.
2. Prohibition on certain connected vehicles and connected vehicle components near military installations, facilities of the Federal Government, and sensitive infrastructure Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Congress has banned the use of connected vehicles and their components, made in foreign adversary countries, within 25 miles of certain secure locations like military bases, unless the President changes this distance for specific sensitive areas. The government will conduct a study to understand the security risks these technologies pose and plans to publish their findings in a report.