Sponsors (6)
The bill extends DCIP eligibility to tribal governments to support infrastructure and service improvements near military installations, at the trade-off of greater competition for limited funds and added administrative burden for DoD and applicants.
Tribal governments (particularly those near military installations) can now compete for Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grants, enabling Federal-funded infrastructure and service improvements in tribal communities.
Clarifies DoD statutory authority to apply DCIP to tribes, reducing legal and administrative ambiguity and making it easier for the Department and prospective tribal applicants to interpret and use the program.
Local and state governments may face reduced access to a limited pool of DCIP funds as tribal applicants compete for the same grants.
DoD and tribal authorities could incur additional administrative workload to process tribal applications, ensure tribal consultation, and meet applicable federal requirements, which may slow implementation or raise program costs.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Makes Indian tribes explicitly eligible and defines "Indian tribe" for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (10 U.S.C. § 2391).
Official title: To amend title 10, United States Code, to include Indian tribes in the defense community infrastructure program, and for other purposes.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Emily Randall · Last progress February 25, 2026
Adds Indian tribes as explicitly eligible entities for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) by amending 10 U.S.C. § 2391 and defining “Indian tribe” by reference to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The change makes Tribal governments clearly eligible for program authorities and assistance that previously referenced only "government" or "local government."