[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8256 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8256
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to establish the Border Security and Enforcement Block Grant Program.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 6, 2024
Mr. McCaul introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on
Appropriations, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
to establish the Border Security and Enforcement Block Grant Program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Border Security and Enforcement
Block Grant Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. BORDER SECURITY AND ENFORCEMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) Authorization.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency is authorized to establish a grant program, to be
known as the ``Border Security and Enforcement Block Grant Program'',
to provide block grants to eligible States to construct , maintain,
repair, or improve, a physical border barrier system along the
southwest border of the United States.
(b) Application.--An eligible State seeking a grant under this
section shall submit an application to the Administrator at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator
may reasonably require, including--
(1) a description of the intended use of funds under
subsection (c); and
(2) documentation of any alleged loss or damage to the
State as a result of the lack of an updated physical border
barrier along the southwest border of the United States in that
State.
(c) Uses of Funds.--
(1) In general.--A State that receives a grant under this
section may use such funds to--
(A) construct a physical border barrier system
along the southwest border of the United States;
(B) maintain a physical border barrier system along
the southwest border of the United States; or
(C) improve and or repair a physical border barrier
system along the southwest border of the United States.
(2) Clarification.--The uses of funds described in
paragraph (1) include costs associated with--
(A) maintaining equipment used for any of the
activities described in such paragraph;
(B) paying personnel to carry out such activities,
including the payment of overtime and backfill; and
(C) any activity permitted for Operation
Stonegarden under the most recent fiscal year
Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security
Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.
(d) Eligibility.--A State is eligible for a grant under this
section if--
(1) the State is located along the southwest border of the
United States; and
(2) at the time of applying for the grant, a physical
border barrier along the portion of the southwest border of the
United States in that State does not exist or is in need of
maintenance, improvement or repair.
(e) Awards.--Not later than 90 days after receiving a grant
application under this section, the Administrator shall make a
determination with respect to the application.
(f) Federal Land.--Upon approval of a grant application under this
section by a State seeking to use the grant for a purpose described in
subsection (c) on Federal land, the Secretary shall enter into an
agreement with the State to provide the State with any easement
(including any appropriate right of way) that is necessary for the
State to complete such work.
(g) Notification.--If the Administrator denies a grant application
under this section, the Administrator shall provide written notice to
the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the
Senate, detailing the justification for the denial.
(h) Report.--For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2027, the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report that contains information
on the expenditure of grants made under this section by each grant
recipient.
(i) Funding.--
(1) Transfer of funds.--
(A) In general.--Of the funds appropriated under
``Procurement, Construction, and Improvement'' for use
by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that are
unobligated and unexpended as of the date of enactment
of this Act, $60,000,000 shall be transferred to the
Administrator to provide grants under this Act.
(B) Fiscal year limitation.--Of the funds
transferred under subsection (a), the Administrator may
expend up to $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025
through 2027.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated $110,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025
through 2027 for grants under this section.
SEC. 3. SUNSET.
The authority to provide grants under this Act shall cease on the
last day of fiscal year 2027. Any funds that have not been obligated
under this section prior that date shall be transferred to
``Procurement, Construction, and Improvement'' for use by the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection.
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