BLOC Act

Summary

Prohibits the U.S. Department of Transportation from obligating or awarding federal infrastructure funds to a state or to local governments unless, within one year, each affected local government has a law, ordinance, policy, or practice requiring the local detention authority to notify the Department of Homeland Security (or its designee) at least 48 hours before releasing an alien who DHS has determined is not lawfully present and who has been in custody at least 48 hours. The bill does not appropriate new money; it makes receipt of certain federal transportation funds conditional on local compliance and updates the title 23 code table of contents.

• Blocks DOT from obligating/awarding infrastructure funds to local governments unless they adopt a 48-hour DHS-notification policy for certain noncitizen releases.
• Requirement applies only when DHS has determined the person is not lawfully present, DHS notified the detaining agency within 48 hours, and the person was detained at least 48 hours.
• Political subdivisions have one year after enactment to adopt the required statute, ordinance, policy, or practice to remain eligible for funds.
• Targets federal transportation infrastructure funding; does not create new appropriations.
• Places a new administrative duty on local detention authorities and may require new recordkeeping and coordination with DHS.
• Could lead to withheld transportation projects or delayed infrastructure funding for noncompliant jurisdictions.
• Raises potential legal and constitutional questions about federal conditions on state and local action.
• Includes only a clerical update to the title 23 code table of contents to reflect the new provision.