PATHS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1692
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T19:58:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act (PATHS Act) aims to extend and enhance the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) ability to acquire advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), through flexible contracting methods known as "other transaction authority." This authority allows DHS to bypass some traditional federal procurement rules to speed up research and development (R&D) for secure and trustworthy technologies critical to homeland security.
Key Provisions
- Extension of Pilot Program: Extends the DHS Research and Development Acquisition Pilot Program (under Section 831 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002) from September 30, 2024, to September 30, 2028, allowing continued use of other transaction authority for R&D projects.
- AI-Specific Notification Requirement: Requires DHS to notify relevant congressional committees (Senate and House Appropriations and Homeland Security/Governmental Affairs committees) within 72 hours of using or extending other transaction authority for AI technologies, and to offer a briefing explaining the rationale.
- Reduction in Contract Award Threshold: Lowers the maximum value for certain covered contracts under the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 from $4 million to $1 million, potentially limiting the size of individual awards to promote more targeted spending.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prolongs the pilot program's duration by four years, providing DHS with ongoing flexibility in acquiring innovative technologies without reverting to stricter federal acquisition regulations.
- Introduces new oversight for AI-related transactions, which did not previously exist, to ensure congressional awareness and accountability.
- Reduces the financial threshold for specific contracts, tightening controls on expenditure sizes compared to prior law.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances DHS's capacity to rapidly develop and integrate advanced technologies like AI for homeland security needs (e.g., border protection, cybersecurity), but adds administrative burdens through mandatory notifications and briefings. The lower contract threshold may encourage smaller, more numerous partnerships rather than large single awards.
- On Citizens: Could indirectly improve national security by accelerating access to cutting-edge tools, potentially enhancing protection against threats like cyberattacks or terrorism, though without direct effects on individual rights.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but by bolstering U.S. technological capabilities, it may strengthen America's position in global competitions for AI and security tech, influencing alliances or rivalries in areas like supply chain security.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Primary beneficiary and implementer, gaining extended tools for R&D while facing increased reporting obligations.
- Congressional Committees: Senate and House committees on Appropriations, Homeland Security, and Governmental Affairs, who receive notifications and briefings to oversee AI uses.
- Technology Contractors and Innovators: Private sector firms, especially those specializing in AI and advanced tech, who can participate in flexible contracts but may face barriers from the reduced award limit.
- Homeland Security Researchers: Benefits from prolonged pilot program support for innovative projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces DHS's administrative flexibility under existing statutes but introduces procedural safeguards for AI, aligning with broader federal efforts to regulate emerging technologies without creating new enforcement mechanisms. "Other transaction authority" is a established tool in federal law for non-traditional procurement, avoiding challenges to standard competitive bidding rules.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts with core principles like separation of powers, as it enhances executive agency operations while maintaining congressional oversight through notifications.
- Political: Supports bipartisan priorities in national security and innovation, potentially reducing procurement delays that have historically slowed tech adoption in government. The AI focus reflects growing political emphasis on ethical and secure AI deployment, though the reduced contract threshold could spark debates over funding efficiency versus innovation scale.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-12: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-03-11: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-03-11: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1055)
- 2025-03-11: 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)
- 2025-03-11: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1127)
- 2025-03-10: 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.
- 2025-03-10: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1692.
- 2025-03-10: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1055-1056)
- 2025-03-10: Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
- 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act — issued 2025-03-11 — PDF (4 pages)
- Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (3 pages)
- Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act — issued 2025-03-12 — PDF (3 pages)