BEST Facilitation Act
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Feb 13, 2025)
Border Enforcement, Security, and Trade Facilitation Act of 2025 or the BEST Facilitation Act
This bill establishes a pilot program for positions within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to review inspection images of vehicles and cargo entering or exiting the United States.
Specifically, the bill establishes the position of image technician 1 within the CBP Office of Field Operations. An image technician must (1) review nonintrusive inspection images of vehicles and cargo entering or exiting the United States; (2) assess whether such vehicles and cargo contain contraband, illicit drugs, weapons, or persons seeking to unlawfully enter the United States; and (3) refer suspicious vehicles and cargo for further inspection by a CBP officer. These reviews must take place at one of five regional command centers established pursuant to this pilot program.
The bill also establishes the position of image technician 2 with additional responsibilities, including receiving and reporting intelligence to the National Targeting Center about techniques used by malign actors to transport contraband, illicit drugs, weapons, and persons seeking to unlawfully enter the United States.
Image technicians must be supervised by a supervisory CBP officer.
The bill establishes annual training requirements for both positions, including training on privacy and civil liberties and how to analyze inspection images.
This pilot program ends five years after the date of enactment of this bill. Individuals employed as image technicians at the end of the pilot program may transfer to comparable positions within CBP or the Department of Homeland Security.
What just happenedFeb 13, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseFeb 13, 2025
- Feb 13, 2025Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
Border Security and Enforcement Subcommittee - Feb 13, 2025IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Homeland Security Committee - Feb 13, 2025IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Feb 13, 2025IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House