To authorize the Land Port of Entry Community Infrastructure Program to address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of land ports of entry, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6791
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-03T08:09:09Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill, H.R. 6791, aims to create and authorize the Land Port of Entry Community Infrastructure Program under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The program's goal is to provide funding to fix problems in local infrastructure—such as roads, water systems, and utilities—that support land border crossings (known as land ports of entry) between the U.S. and other countries. It focuses on improving safety, trade, security, and community well-being near these borders.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Community infrastructure: Includes transportation projects, utilities (like water, electricity, or telecom), or other facilities that support or are heavily affected by land ports of entry. These must be owned by state, Tribal, or local governments, or by not-for-profit, member-owned utilities, and located within 25 miles of a port or focused on modernizing one.
- Rural area: Any city, town, or unincorporated area with 50,000 or fewer residents (note: the bill states "not more than 100,000," but standard rural definitions often use 50,000; here it's explicitly 100,000).
- Secretary: Refers to the DHS Secretary.
- Funding and Grants (Section 2):
- DHS can award grants or add funds to existing federal programs (run by other agencies) to help state, Tribal, local governments, and certain utilities address infrastructure gaps near land ports.
- Eligibility is based on five categories:
- Improving safe, efficient trade and travel (e.g., local roads or water systems for port modernization).
- Boosting border security (e.g., projects that could increase drug seizures or other security measures).
- Increasing resilience and emergency preparedness for ports and nearby infrastructure.
- Enhancing quality of life for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel and families (e.g., reducing commute issues or providing local support services).
- Mitigating negative effects on communities (e.g., traffic, pollution, waste management from port activity).
- Selection considers DHS's 2024 CBP report on port modernization, state investment plans, and benefits to CBP families.
- DHS must create standardized guidelines for evaluating and prioritizing projects.
- DHS will consult with other federal agencies (e.g., Transportation, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Energy, Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency) for project reviews.
- Matching funds: Recipients must provide at least 30% of project costs from non-federal sources, but this can be reduced or waived for rural areas or if vital for national security.
- Reimbursement: Governments or utilities that spent their own money on eligible projects since November 15, 2021, can seek up to 70% reimbursement (or more if matching is adjusted).
- Appropriations (Section 3):
- Authorizes whatever funds are needed each fiscal year for the program, but awards depend on available budget.
- Funds can be carried over and used until spent.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new DHS program specifically for community infrastructure near land ports, which did not exist before. It builds on prior laws like the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (which sets border security metrics) but adds flexible funding mechanisms, including reimbursements for past spending and interagency coordination. It expands federal support beyond direct port construction to broader community needs, with exceptions to matching requirements that could ease burdens on smaller or rural entities compared to standard federal grant rules.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DHS and CBP gain tools to modernize borders and support staff, potentially reducing operational strains. Other agencies (e.g., Transportation, EPA) will collaborate more on border-related projects, possibly streamlining federal efforts but increasing coordination needs.
- Citizens: Border communities, especially rural ones, could see improved roads, utilities, and environmental conditions, reducing issues like traffic or pollution. CBP personnel and families may benefit from better living conditions, aiding recruitment and retention.
- International Relations: Enhanced port efficiency and security could facilitate smoother trade and travel with neighbors (e.g., Canada, Mexico), strengthening economic ties while addressing security concerns like drug trafficking.
- Overall, it could lead to safer, more resilient border operations, but implementation depends on congressional funding.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State, Tribal, and Local Governments: Primary recipients of grants for infrastructure projects.
- Not-for-Profit, Member-Owned Utilities: Eligible for funding to upgrade services near ports.
- DHS and CBP: Oversee the program and benefit from improved support infrastructure and personnel welfare.
- Border Communities and Residents: Gain from reduced port-related disruptions and enhanced local services.
- Federal Agencies: Involved in consultations, potentially sharing resources for project assessments.
- Businesses and Travelers: Indirectly benefit from faster, safer cross-border trade and movement.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes clear eligibility and process standards, reducing ambiguity in federal funding for border infrastructure. The reimbursement provision could retroactively validate past local spending, but it requires DHS to define "reasonable time" for claims, potentially leading to administrative challenges or disputes.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority over interstate commerce, national security, and federal spending (Article I, Section 8). No direct conflicts with states' rights, as it partners with local entities rather than overriding them.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by representatives from Texas) highlights border infrastructure as a non-partisan issue, focusing on security, trade, and community aid. It may influence future budgets by authorizing open-ended funding, raising debates on fiscal priorities amid immigration and trade discussions. No major controversies evident in the text, but implementation could spark concerns over equity between urban/rural areas or environmental impacts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 2025-12-18: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To authorize the Land Port of Entry Community Infrastructure Program to address deficiencies in community infrastructure supportive of land ports of entry, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (8 pages)