H.R. 1831 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Homeland Security, Mar 4, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryPilot program to prevent vehicle-based terrorism
The Department of Homeland Security would set up a test program to help stop terrorist attacks involving motor vehicles. The program would create a standard way for car rental agencies to collect information, give guidance on reporting suspicious activity, and let dealers and rental companies check customers against a watch list and report concerning rentals to the FBI if needed. The government would also study how to work with rental car and ride-sharing companies to spot potential terrorist threats.
How it affects you
If you rent a car or buy one from a dealer, they may ask for information as part of this program, and your information might be checked against federal watch lists. Car rental and dealership employees would have protection from lawsuits if they follow the program's procedures. The direct effects on everyday people aren't spelled out in detail in the summary, but the program is designed to help security agencies identify potential threats before they happen.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Mar 4, 2025)
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a pilot program for the prevention and mitigation of acts of terrorism using motor vehicles.
Among other things, the pilot program must
• develop a uniform standard for the type of information collected by rental agencies;
• distribute guidance for improving the suspicious activity reporting process; and
• establish a procedure for dealers and rental companies to check information against a designated watch list to provide notice of a sale or rental to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, if DHS determines that this is necessary.
Under the bill, a dealer or rental company is not liable for any action taken in accordance with the pilot program.
DHS and the Transportation Security Administration must jointly submit regular reports to Congress on the pilot program.
In addition, DHS must submit a study to Congress that examines how to work with rental car and ride sharing companies on how to identify risks and threats of terrorist attacks.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 1831
A BILL
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.
Sponsor: Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) · Introduced Mar 4, 2025 · Transportation and Public Works · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 4, 2025: “Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.”