H.R. 9327, PEARL Act

July 14, 2026

Cost Estimate

As ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 24, 2026

H.R. 9327, PEARL ActAs ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 24, 2026
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars		2026	2026-2031	2026-2036
Direct Spending (Outlays)		0	0	0
Revenues		0	0	0
Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit		0	0	0
Spending Subject to Appropriation (Outlays)		0	4	not estimated
Increases net direct spending in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037?	No	Statutory pay-as-you-go procedures apply?		No
	No	Mandate Effects
Increases on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2037?	No	Contains intergovernmental mandate?		No
	No	Contains private-sector mandate?		No

H.R. 9327 would direct Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to develop and implement a three-year pilot program to adopt and train dogs from local animal shelters for the agency’s Support Canine Program. Under this program, CBP organizes visits between its officers and emotional support dogs to improve employees’ mental health.

Using information from CBP and based on the costs of similar programs, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 9327 would cost $4 million over the 2026-2031 period, comprising $3 million for the salaries of the support canine handlers and $1 million for the procurement, training, and travel of the therapy dogs. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

On September 29, 2025, CBO transmitted a cost estimate for H.R. 3965, the PEARL Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Homeland Security on June 25, 2025. The two bills are similar, and CBO’s estimates of their budgetary effects are the same.

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Sean Christensen. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

Phillip L. Swagel Director, Congressional Budget Office

Phillip L. Swagel

Director, Congressional Budget Office