# Plain Language Summary: Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to create a detailed plan for finding and using cutting-edge technology to improve border security. Essentially, it's asking the government to figure out what new tech exists—like artificial intelligence, drones, advanced cameras, and radar systems—and decide how to put it to work at the border. The government has six months to submit this plan to Congress.

The bill also officially authorizes something called "CBP Innovation Teams" (CBP stands for U.S. Customs and Border Protection). These teams would test new commercial technologies to see if they could help with border operations. Think of them as a testing ground where officials can try out promising new tools before deciding whether to use them permanently. The teams would research things like unmanned drones, surveillance equipment, tunnel detection systems, and communication technology to figure out which ones actually work and which ones don't.

The plan the government submits needs to cover a lot of ground. It should identify what new technologies other government agencies are already using that CBP could adopt, explain what legal authorities CBP has to buy new technology, and assess whether they need new powers to purchase things faster. The plan also needs to look at which old border technology systems could be retired and replaced with newer ones, and it must consider how these new technologies might affect privacy in border communities. Additionally, the government should explain how it's working with private companies, universities, and research labs to find and develop promising new technologies.

For most Americans, this bill won't have a direct daily impact, but it could affect people who live near the border or work in border security. The bill essentially gives the government a structured way to modernize border technology rather than continuing to rely on older systems. It also requires the government to think about privacy concerns before rolling out new surveillance technology in border communities, which is a built-in safeguard.

Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act

Correa, J. Luis

Emerging Innovative Border Technologies ActThis 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.&nbsp;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<ul><li>goals and timelines for adoption of qualifying technologies;</li><li>metrics and key performance parameters for determining the plan's effectiveness;</li><li>which technologies used by other federal agencies CBP may also utilize;</li><li>which existing authorities CBP may use to procure technologies;</li><li>how CBP legacy border technology programs may be replaced;</li><li>the expected privacy and security impact of security-related technology on border communities; and</li><li>recent technological advancements in specified technologies.</li></ul>CBP must provide the plan to Congress within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.&nbsp;The bill also requires CBP to annually report to Congress regarding the activities of the Innovation Teams.