H.R. 1831 — 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.

This section directs the Secretary of Homeland Security, not later than one year after enactment, to establish a pilot program lasting up to one year to (1) develop, in consultation with the automotive sale and rental industry, a uniform standard for information collected by rental agencies and submitted in suspicious activity reports; (2) provide operators a terrorism threat assessment on large vehicles prepared by the Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis; (3) distribute guidance and training to improve suspicious activity reporting by designated employees; (4) provide technical assistance to operators for accessing such reports; and (5) if necessary, establish procedures for checking information against a non-classified watchlist and for dealers and rental companies to notify the FBI of sales or rentals of covered rental vehicles. The section requires the Secretary and the Transportation Security Administration Administrator to submit joint reports to Congress on the pilot program—including its privacy and civil liberties impacts and the benefits of permanent implementation—120 days after establishment and every 120 days thereafter; directs the Secretary to submit a study within 18 months of enactment on partnering with rental car and ride-sharing companies (e.g., peer-to-peer apps) to identify terrorist risks; and exempts participating dealers and rental companies from liability. It defines "covered rental vehicle" as a truck, tractor, trailer, bus, semitrailer, or van capable of transporting more than 15 passengers and adopts the definitions of "dealer" and "rental company" from 49 U.S.C. §30102.