H.R. 1692 Passed the House Government Operations and Politics

PATHS 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. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3] Introduced February 27, 2025 Cosponsors 1 (1 D) Latest action March 12, 2025

Summary

Producing Advanced Technologies for Homeland Security Act or the PATHS Act
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 for research and development projects related to artificial intelligence technology and must offer to brief Congress on the rationale for such a decision. 
The bill also lowers from $4 million to $1 million the minimum value of contract awards that DHS must publicly report on its website.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

  1. Mar 12, 2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  2. Mar 11, 2025 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Mar 11, 2025 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: 3/10/2025 CR H1055)
  4. Mar 11, 2025 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1127)
  5. Mar 10, 2025 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 The point of no quorum was considered as withdrawn.
  6. Mar 10, 2025 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1692.
  7. Mar 10, 2025 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1055-1056)
  8. Mar 10, 2025 Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  9. Feb 27, 2025 Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
  10. Feb 27, 2025 Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
  11. Feb 27, 2025 Introduced in House

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