Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025

This legislation, titled the Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025, mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security produce a comprehensive report within 180 days of its enactment. This report, developed in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, must detail the Department's efforts to prevent, deter, and respond to vehicular terrorism.

The required report must include an assessment of current and emerging vehicular terrorism threats, analyzing methods, tactics, motivations, and domestic and international trends. It specifically calls for an evaluation of potential future threats arising from the misuse of connected, autonomous, or Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS)-equipped vehicles, ride-sharing services, and associated cybersecurity vulnerabilities, including those involving artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, the report must review higher-risk locations and events susceptible to vehicular terrorism, such as critical infrastructure sites, soft targets, crowded spaces, and high-density urban areas. It will summarize actions taken by DHS agencies to research and implement measures like physical barriers, geofencing, surveillance systems, and real-time response strategies to neutralize these threats.

The bill also requires an evaluation of DHS engagement with both private and public sector stakeholders, including vehicle rental companies, ride-sharing platforms, and automotive manufacturers, to develop industry-specific best practices and share threat intelligence. It mandates a description of coordination efforts with law enforcement agencies, focusing on intelligence sharing, guidance on countermeasures, joint exercises, and training programs for first responders.

Key elements of the report include recommendations for the research, development, and deployment of technologies such as vehicle immobilization systems, predictive analytics incorporating AI, and cybersecurity innovations to prevent vehicle hacking. Finally, the report must describe DHS engagement with privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties stakeholders to ensure that all countermeasures respect individual rights, and outline public awareness initiatives to educate communities and foster collaboration with law enforcement.