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Adds Indian tribes as explicit eligible applicants to the Defense Community Infrastructure Program and defines "Indian tribe" by referring to the definition in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. The change does not create new funding, deadlines, or additional procedural requirements; it simply makes tribes eligible to apply under existing program authorities.
The bill expands and clarifies tribal access to the Defense Community Infrastructure Program—improving infrastructure and support for communities near military bases—while not increasing program funding, which raises competition for limited grants and may reduce awards to some non-tribal applicants.
Indigenous tribal governments and the communities near military installations gain explicit eligibility to apply for and compete for Defense Community Infrastructure Program projects, increasing access to federal infrastructure support that can benefit service members, installations, and tribal communities.
Clarifying the statutory definition of 'Indian tribe' reduces legal uncertainty for applicants and administrators, making it clearer who may apply and simplifying program administration and review.
The law adds tribes as eligible applicants without providing new funding, meaning tribes will compete for awards under existing resource limits; this increases competition and could reduce the likelihood that some non-tribal local governments, rural communities, or other applicants receive grants.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Emily Randall · Last progress February 25, 2026