Summary

Removes a fixed time limit and broadens the types of international bridges and land ports of entry covered by the law, making the authority apply indefinitely to U.S.–Mexico and U.S.–Canada crossings. It also adds a new rule that bars the Secretary from compiling or considering environmental documents under NEPA when deciding Presidential permit applications covered by the statute, and makes minor technical and formatting changes to the statute.

• Removes the prior fixed time limit so the statute applies indefinitely to covered crossings.
• Replaces a detailed enumerated facility list with four broad categories of international bridges and land ports on the U.S.–Mexico and U.S.–Canada borders.
• Prohibits the Secretary from compiling or considering any NEPA environmental document when deciding certain Presidential permit applications.
• Makes formatting and wording changes to reorganize and clarify statutory subparagraphs.
• Does not appropriate funds or create new spending authority.
• Likely speeds permit processing for covered crossings by limiting formal environmental review in the permit decision.
• May increase legal challenges or disputes over environmental impacts because NEPA materials cannot be considered by the Secretary for these permits.
• Does not specify an effective date in the text provided.
• Affects federal permitting practice more than state or local permitting authorities directly.