6 U.S.C. § 961: Establishment

The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, is authorized to establish a voluntary government-private sector program (to be known as the “Customs–Trade Partnership Against Terrorism” or “C–TPAT”) to strengthen and improve the overall security of the international supply chain and United States border security, and to facilitate the movement of secure cargo through the international supply chain, by providing benefits to participants meeting or exceeding the program requirements. Participants in C–TPAT shall include Tier 1 participants, Tier 2 participants, and Tier 3 participants. The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, shall review the minimum security requirements of C–TPAT at least once every year and update such requirements as necessary. “This Act may be cited as the ‘Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Pilot Program Act of 2023’ or the ‘CTPAT Pilot Program Act of 2023’. the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Finance of the Senate; and the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives. The term ‘CTPAT’ means the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism established under subtitle B of title II of the Security and Accountability for Every Port Act ( 6 U.S.C. 961 et seq.). The Secretary of Homeland Security shall carry out a pilot program to assess whether allowing entities described in subsection (b) to participate in CTPAT would enhance port security, combat terrorism, prevent supply chain security breaches, or otherwise meet the goals of CTPAT. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [ Oct. 1, 2024 ], the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice specifying the requirements for the pilot program required by paragraph (1). arranges international transportation of freight and is licensed by the Department of Transportation; and meets such other requirements as the Secretary specifies in the Federal Register notice required by subsection (a)(2); or facilitates cross border activity and is licensed or bonded by the Federal Maritime Commission, the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or the Department of Transportation; manages and executes logistics services using its own warehousing assets and resources on behalf of its customers; and meets such other requirements as the Secretary specifies in the Federal Register notice required by subsection (a)(2). not more than 10 entities described in paragraph (1) of subsection (b) participate in the pilot program; and not more than 10 entities described in paragraph (2) of that subsection participate in the program; provide for the participation of those entities on a voluntary basis; continue the program for a period of not less than one year after the date on which the Secretary publishes the Federal Register notice required by subsection (a)(2); and terminate the pilot program not more than 5 years after that date. Not later than 180 days after the termination of the pilot program under subsection (c)(4), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the findings of, and any recommendations arising from, the pilot program concerning the participation in CTPAT of entities described in subsection (b), including an assessment of participation by those entities. Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [ Oct. 1, 2024 ], the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report assessing the effectiveness of CTPAT. security incidents in the cargo supply chain during the 5-year period preceding submission of the report that involved criminal activity, including drug trafficking, human smuggling, commercial fraud, or terrorist activity; and whether those incidents involved participants in CTPAT or entities not participating in CTPAT. An analysis of causes for the suspension or removal of entities from participating in CTPAT as a result of security incidents during that 5-year period. An analysis of the number of active CTPAT participants involved in one or more security incidents while maintaining their status as participants. Recommendations to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for improvements to CTPAT to improve prevention of security incidents in the cargo supply chain involving participants in CTPAT. “No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this Act.”