One Big Beautiful Bill Act 2025, Section 60003 ("U.S. Customs and Border Protection technology, vetting activities, and other efforts to enhance border security")

Summary

Appropriates $1,076,317,000 to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for AI, machine learning, and non-intrusive inspection equipment to combat illicit narcotics at U.S. borders.

Restricts funds for certain surveillance towers unless they are tested and federally accepted for autonomous capabilities.

Defines "autonomous" as systems using AI, sensors, and onboard computing to automate identification tasks traditionally performed manually by CBP personnel.

Appropriates $4.5 billion for CBP technology enhancements, with restrictions on untested surveillance towers.

(a) CBP Technology.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to remain available until September 30, 2029, the following: (1) $1,076,317,000 for necessary expenses relating to procurement and integration of new non-intrusive inspection equipment and associated civil works, artificial intelligence, integration, and machine learning, as well as other mission support, to combat the entry of illicit narcotics along the southwest, northern, and maritime borders. (2) $2,766,000,000 for necessary expenses relating to upgrades and procurement of border surveillance technologies along the southwest, northern, and maritime borders. (3) $673,000,000 for necessary expenses, including the deployment of technology, relating to the biometric entry and exit system under section 7208 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (8 U.S.C. 1365b). (b) Restrictions.--None of the funds made available pursuant to subsection (a)(2) may be used for the procurement or deployment of surveillance towers that have not been-- (1) tested, and (2) accepted, by the Federal Government to deliver autonomous capabilities.

Appropriates $1,234,000,000 for Air and Marine Operations' upgrades and new rapid response platforms.

(c) Air and Marine Operations.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $1,234,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2029, for Air and Marine Operations' upgrading and procurement of new platforms for rapid air and marine response capabilities.

Appropriates $16 million for CBP screening, vetting, and expanding criminal history databases until 2029.

(d) CBP Vetting Activities.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $16,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2029, for necessary expenses to support screening, vetting activities, and expansion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's criminal history databases.

Appropriates $500 million for enhancing border security and combatting fentanyl trafficking until September 30, 2029.

(e) Other Efforts to Combat Drug Trafficking to Enhance Border Security.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $500,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2029, for enhancing border security and combatting trafficking, including fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, at the southwest, northern, and maritime borders.

Appropriates $1,000,000 for commemorating border security efforts, available until September 30, 2029.

(f) Commemorations.--In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary of Homeland Security for fiscal year 2025, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $1,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2029, for commemorating efforts and events related to border security.

Defines "autonomous" as systems using AI, sensors, and computing to identify items without manual intervention.

(g) Definition.--In this section, the term ``autonomous'' means integrated software and hardware systems that utilize sensors, onboard computing, and artificial intelligence to identify items of interest that would otherwise be manually identified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.