Cargo Security Innovation Act

This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to create a pilot project that tests advanced technologies to fight cargo theft at transportation hubs and rail yards. It defines key terms, sets up pilot sites, provides grants to eligible groups, and requires reports on the project's results.

Sec. 2, Pilot project: The TSA Administrator, with the Transportation Secretary, must set up a pilot project to test advanced law enforcement and cargo security technologies against cargo theft. This includes giving grants to eligible consortia, groups made up of transportation companies, rail police, and at least one state or local law enforcement agency, to deploy and evaluate these technologies.

Sec. 2, Pilot sites: Within one year, the Administrator must pick up to six intermodal hubs or rail yards as pilot sites, ensuring geographic and operational diversity, with no more than one site per state. Technology from foreign entities of concern cannot be used at any pilot site.

Sec. 2, Grants: Individuals and entities at a pilot site can form an eligible consortium to apply for a grant. Grant money can be used for technology, training, data sharing with federal systems, oversight, and other needed activities.

Sec. 2, Accountability and report: Grant recipients must keep records for audits. Within two years of first technology deployment, the Administrator must report to Congress on the technologies used, their effectiveness, lessons learned, cost-benefit analysis, data, and recommendations for scaling or changing the project.

Sec. 2, Sunset and GAO evaluation: The pilot project ends at each site three years after technology is first deployed there. Within one year after all sites end, the Government Accountability Office must report on the project's overall effectiveness.