The CATCH Fentanyl Act directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to launch a five-year pilot program testing new technologies to speed up cargo and vehicle inspections at U.S. land borders. Starting within one year of enactment, the program will evaluate at least five types of advanced inspection technology—including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum sensing—to help detect contraband, drugs, weapons, and human smuggling while reducing wait times at ports of entry. The pilot will prioritize cost-effective solutions that integrate with existing equipment and infrastructure, with private sector input welcomed during development. The bill requires comprehensive reports to Congress after three years and upon program completion, including performance data, recommendations for nationwide deployment, and separate analyses of privacy and civil liberties impacts. Notably, the legislation does not authorize any new federal funding, requiring the program to operate within existing CBP budgets.
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