To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a pilot program for the prevention and mitigation of acts of terrorism using motor vehicles, and for other purposes.
To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a pilot program for the prevention and mitigation of acts of terrorism using motor vehicles, and for other purposes.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 1831 Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a pilot program aimed at preventing terrorist attacks involving motor vehicles. The program would establish uniform standards for information that rental car agencies collect and share, improve the process for reporting suspicious activity, and allow car dealers and rental companies to check customer information against federal watch lists. If DHS determines it necessary, these companies would notify the FBI when someone on a watch list attempts to rent or purchase a vehicle. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects car rental agencies, auto dealers, and ride-sharing companies, which would need to comply with new reporting procedures and watch-list checks.
It also impacts DHS and the Transportation Security Administration, which would manage the program and report to Congress. Customers using rental or ride-sharing services could be indirectly affected by these new security procedures. The bill includes legal protections for companies that follow the program in good faith. **Current Status:** HR 1831 was introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a pilot program for the prevention and mitigation of acts of terrorism using motor vehicles.Among other things, the pilot program must develop a uniform standard for the type of information collected by rental agencies;distribute guidance for improving the suspicious activity reporting process; andestablish a procedure for dealers and rental companies to check information against a designated watch list to provide notice of a sale or rental to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, if DHS determines that this is necessary.Under the bill, a dealer or rental company is not liable for any action taken in accordance with the pilot program.DHS and the Transportation Security Administration must jointly submit regular reports to Congress on the pilot program. In addition, DHS must submit a study to Congress that examines how to work with rental car and ride sharing companies on how to identify risks and threats of terrorist attacks.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.