PATHS Act

Bill: 119-hr-1692
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3]
Introduced: 2025-02-27
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations

Computers and information technology

Internet, web applications, social media

Public contracts and procurement

Research and development
Latest action: action_date: 2025-03-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-02-27
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act or the PATHS Act</strong></p><p>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&nbsp;for research and development projects related to artificial intelligence technology and must offer to brief Congress on the rationale for such a decision.&nbsp;</p><p>The bill also lowers from $4 million to $1 million the minimum value of contract awards that DHS must publicly report on its website.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1692 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 12, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enable secure and trustworthy technology through other transaction contracting authority, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act or the PATHS Act . 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 .

Passed the House of Representatives March 11, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1692 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enable secure and trustworthy technology through other transaction contracting authority, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act or the PATHS Act . 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 .

Passed the House of Representatives March 11, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1692 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act or the PATHS Act . 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 .