Sponsors (2)
The bill directs federal grants to state, local, and tribal governments to modernize and mitigate impacts of land ports of entry — improving infrastructure, environmental outcomes, and resilience — but imposes local cost shares, eligibility limits and centralized prioritization, and leaves actual project funding and oversight dependent on future congressional appropriations.
State, Tribal, and local governments can receive federal grants to plan, build, or upgrade transportation and utility infrastructure tied to land ports of entry, enabling smoother cross‑border travel, trade, and local services.
Communities near ports (including tribal lands and localities) can get funding for water and wastewater projects that reduce pollution and environmental degradation around ports of entry.
Local governments can access grants for resilience and emergency‑preparedness projects, improving readiness for disruptions at ports of entry.
Local governments and utilities typically must provide a 30% non‑Federal match, increasing local budget pressure and potentially delaying or cancelling projects in cash‑strapped communities.
If Congress does not appropriate funds, planned projects may be delayed or cancelled, leaving border infrastructure needs unmet despite the program authorization.
Private for‑profit developers and utilities are excluded from eligibility, potentially limiting private investment, public‑private partnerships, and additional financing options for projects.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DHS grant program to fund and reimburse community infrastructure projects that support land ports of entry, with matching rules and priorities tied to public‑safety and trade impacts.
Creates a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant program to pay for community infrastructure projects that support land ports of entry. State, Tribal, and local governments and not-for-profit, member-owned utilities can apply for grants to build or modernize transportation, water, utility, telecommunication, and other infrastructure within 25 miles of a land port of entry or that directly supports such a port. The Secretary of Homeland Security will set eligibility rules, project categories, and prioritization guidance, require a default 30% non‑Federal match (with reductions or waivers for rural or security-priority projects), and may reimburse past project costs back to November 15, 2021 up to 70%. Funding authority is authorized but subject to future appropriations and remaining available until spent.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Tony Gonzales · Last progress December 17, 2025