TITLE V—BORDER PROTECTION, IMMIGRATION, AND VISA MATTERS
Subtitle A—Advanced Technology Northern Border Security Pilot Program
SEC. 5101. ESTABLISHMENT.
The Secretary of Homeland Security may carry out a pilot program to test various advanced technologies that will improve border security between ports of entry along the northern border of the United States.
SEC. 5102. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Required Features.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall design the pilot program under this subtitle to have the following features: (1) Use of advanced technological systems, including sensors, video, and unmanned aerial vehicles, for border surveillance. (2) Use of advanced computing and decision integration software for— (A) evaluation of data indicating border incursions; (B) assessment of threat potential; and (C) rapid real-time communication, monitoring, intelligence gathering, deployment, and response. (3) Testing of advanced technology systems and software to determine best and most cost-effective uses of advanced technology to improve border security. (4) Operation of the program in remote stretches of border lands with long distances between 24-hour ports of entry with a relatively small presence of United States border patrol officers. (5) Capability to expand the program upon a determination by the Secretary that expansion would be an appropriate and cost-effective means of improving border security.
(b) Coordination With Other Agencies.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall ensure that the operation of the pilot program under this subtitle— (1) is coordinated among United States, State, local, and Canadian law enforcement and border security agencies; and (2) includes ongoing communication among such agencies.
SEC. 5103. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
(a) Procurement of Advanced Technology.—The Secretary of Homeland Security may enter into contracts for the procurement or use of such advanced technologies as the Secretary determines appropriate for the pilot program under this subtitle.
(b) Program Partnerships.—In carrying out the pilot program under this subtitle, the Secretary of Homeland Security may provide for the establishment of cooperative arrangements for participation in the pilot program by such participants as law enforcement and border security agencies referred to in section 5102(b), institutions of higher education, and private sector entities.
SEC. 5104. REPORT.
(a) Requirement for Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to Congress a report on the pilot program under this subtitle.
(b) Content.—The report under subsection (a) shall include the following matters: (1) A discussion of the implementation of the pilot program, including the experience under the pilot program. (2) A recommendation regarding whether to expand the pilot program along the entire northern border of the United States and a timeline for the implementation of the expansion.
SEC. 5105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the pilot program under this subtitle.
Subtitle B—Border and Immigration Enforcement
SEC. 5201. BORDER SURVEILLANCE.
(a) In General.—Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the President and the appropriate committees of Congress a comprehensive plan for the systematic surveillance of the southwest border of the United States by remotely piloted aircraft.