H.R.1831 - 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. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1831 directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish a pilot program aimed at preventing and mitigating acts of terrorism involving motor vehicles. The program includes developing uniform standards for information collection by rental agencies, providing threat assessments to operators, improving suspicious activity reporting processes, and potentially establishing a procedure for checking information against a designated watch list. The bill also mandates reports to Congress on the program's impact and a study on working with rental car and ride-sharing companies to identify terrorist threats.
Expected Effects
The bill aims to enhance national security by addressing the potential use of motor vehicles in terrorist attacks. It will likely lead to increased scrutiny of rental and ride-sharing activities, potentially impacting individual privacy and business operations. The pilot program's success will determine whether these measures are permanently implemented and expanded.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced national security through proactive measures to prevent vehicle-based terrorist attacks.
- Improved information sharing and coordination between rental agencies, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies.
- Development of uniform standards for identifying and reporting suspicious activities related to vehicle rentals.
- Increased awareness among rental operators and employees regarding potential terrorist threats.
- Potential for early detection and prevention of terrorist plots involving motor vehicles.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential infringement on individual privacy due to increased data collection and monitoring.
- Increased burden on rental agencies and ride-sharing companies to comply with new reporting requirements.
- Risk of false positives and discriminatory profiling based on suspicious activity reports.
- Potential for increased costs for rental agencies and ride-sharing companies, which may be passed on to consumers.
- Uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of the pilot program in preventing terrorist attacks.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on national security aligns with the government's responsibility to "provide for the common defence" as stated in the Preamble of the US Constitution. However, the potential impact on individual privacy raises concerns under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The balance between security and individual liberties will need to be carefully considered during the implementation of the pilot program. The First Amendment is potentially implicated if the watch list contains information that could be construed as infringing on freedom of speech or association.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).