Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act or the PATHS Act
This bill extends through FY2028 the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use other transactions (OT) to carry out research and prototype projects when the use of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements is not feasible or appropriate. (OTs, in contrast to traditional procurement contracts, are exempt from many federal procurement laws and regulations.) DHS must notify Congress within 72 hours of using or extending this authority for research and development projects related to artificial intelligence technology and must offer to brief Congress on the rationale for such a decision.
The bill also lowers from $4 million to $1 million the minimum value of contract awards that DHS must publicly report on its website.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1692 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1692
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enable secure and
trustworthy technology through other transaction contracting authority,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 27, 2025
Mr. Guest (for himself and Mr. Thanedar) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enable secure and
trustworthy technology through other transaction contracting authority,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Producing Advanced Technologies for
Homeland Security Act'' or the ``PATHS Act''.
SEC. 2. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACQUISITION PILOT PROGRAM EXTENSION.
(a) In General.--Section 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002
(6 U.S.C. 391) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``Until September 30, 2024, and subject to
subsection (d)'' and inserting ``Until September 30,
2028, and subject to subsection (c)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) Other transaction authority involving artificial
intelligence.--Not later than 72 hours after the use or
extension of the transaction authority authorized under
paragraph (1) involving artificial intelligence technology, the
Secretary shall notify the Committee on Appropriations and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on
Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and offer a
briefing explaining the reason for the use or extension.''; and
(2) in subsection (c)(1), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2024'' and
inserting ``September 30, 2028''.
(b) Reduction in Amount of Covered Contract Award.--Subparagraph
(A) of section 7113(d)(1) of the James M. Inhofe National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (6 U.S.C. 112 note; Public Law
117-263) is amended by striking ``$4,000,000'' and inserting
``$1,000,000''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1055-1056)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1692.
At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Green (TN) objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1127)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1055)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1055)
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Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.