Enhanced Counter-Narcotics Detection and Technology Act

This Act may be cited as the “Enhanced Counter-Narcotics Detection and Technology Act”.

(a) In general.— Subtitle B of title IV of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 211 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

“420. Large-scale, non-intrusive inspection technology at land ports of entry identified as high risk.—

(a) In general.— Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (in this section referred to as the “Commissioner”), shall establish an annual process to identify the land ports of entry that, on the basis of drug seizure volume, are either of the following:

(1) At or above the 70th percentile of all land ports of entry with respect to the northern border of the United States.

(2) At or above the 70th percentile of all land ports of entry with respect to the southern border of the United States.

(b) High-Risk port.— A land port of entry identified under subsection (a) shall be referred to as a “high-risk port”.

(c) Implementation.— Not later than one year after the Commissioner identifies a high-risk port under subsection (a), the Commissioner shall carry out the following:

(1) Implement in the screening of cargo at such port large-scale, non-intrusive inspection technology, unless the Commissioner determines, based on metrics and criteria established under paragraph (2), that such technology is not effective.

(2) Establish metrics and criteria for determining the effectiveness of such technology.

(d) Screening.— Beginning not later than one year after large-scale, non-intrusive inspection technology has been implemented at a high-risk port pursuant to subsection (c)(1), the Commissioner shall utilize such technology in the screening of the following:

(1) Not less than 40 percent of the passenger vehicles entering the United States through such port and for which such technology is feasible for such screening.

(2) Not less than 70 percent of the commercial vehicles entering the United States through such port and for which such technology is feasible for such screening.

(e) Training.— The Commissioner shall ensure relevant personnel of U.S. Customs and Border Protection receive training on any large-scale, non-intrusive inspection technology implemented pursuant to subsection (c)(1).

(f) New technology.— Not later than one year after large-scale, non-intrusive inspection technology has been implemented pursuant to subsection (c)(1) and annually thereafter, the Commissioner shall seek to identify technology that satisfies the following requirements:

(1) Has not been so implemented.

(2) Has potential to improve the screening of cargo at high-risk ports.

(g) Reports.— Not later than one year after large-scale, non-intrusive inspection technology has been implemented pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (c) and annually thereafter, the Commissioner shall submit to Congress a report that includes information relating to the following for the annual period covered by such report:

(1) The effectiveness of such technology, based on metrics and criteria established under paragraph (2) of such subsection.

(2) The technology, if any, identified pursuant to subsection (f).

(h) Large scale, non-Intrusive inspection technology defined.— In this section, the term large-scale, non-intrusive inspection technology means an x-ray, gamma-ray, or other passive imaging system, that satisfies the following requirements:

(1) Can be utilized to inspect cargo for contraband, hazards, and anomalies that indicate potential threats.

(2) Any other requirement the Commissioner determines appropriate.”.

(b) Clerical amendment.— The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 419 the following new item: