Sponsors (4)
The bill extends DCIP eligibility to tribal governments to improve infrastructure and services for tribal communities, at the cost of greater competition for limited DCIP funds and added administrative burden for the Department of Defense.
Tribal governments can now compete for Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grants, enabling infrastructure and service improvements in and near tribal communities adjacent to military installations.
Clarifies statutory language governing DCIP eligibility and application for tribes, reducing administrative ambiguity for the Department of Defense when applying DCIP authorities to tribal governments.
Expanding eligibility to tribes increases competition for a finite pool of DCIP funds, which could reduce the amount of funding available to non‑tribal local and state applicants.
Adding tribal applicants and associated consultation/compliance requirements may create additional administrative workload for DoD to process applications and ensure legal compliance.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Adds Indian tribes as explicit eligible entities under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program and defines "Indian tribe" by reference to 25 U.S.C. §5304.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Emily Randall · Last progress February 25, 2026
Adds Indian tribes as explicit eligible entities under the Defense Community Infrastructure Program by amending the relevant statute to include “Indian tribe” alongside governments and local governments and by defining “Indian tribe” by reference to federal law. It also establishes a short title for the Act. The change does not itself appropriate funds or create new program structure; it clarifies statutory eligibility so Tribal governments can be treated like other local governments for purposes of program authorities and awards. Implementation will largely be administrative (DoD rulemaking/guidance and application processes) and may expand access to infrastructure support for communities on or near tribal lands.