Bills/H.R. 1297

LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act

LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act

In CommitteeImmigrationHouseHouse Bill · 119th Congress
Bill Progress · House
Introduced
Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Passed Both
Signed

Plain Language Summary

# LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would create a dedicated "trust fund" to modernize U.S. land ports of entry—the checkpoints where people and goods cross the U.S. border by land. Money would come from existing customs fees and new surcharges on immigration and border inspection services. The fund could be used to build new border checkpoints, upgrade existing ones, buy inspection technology, and hire more customs officers.

Importantly, it prevents DHS from raising other fees to make up for the money going into this fund. **Who It Affects:** The bill impacts border communities, travelers crossing at land ports of entry, trucking and import/export businesses, and customs officers. It's sponsored by Representative Henry Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, whose district includes the U.S.-Mexico border. **Key Details:** The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security and State Department to collect surcharges related to border inspections, with portions funding the trust fund. A new oversight board would manage how the money is spent. The bill is currently sitting in committee, meaning it hasn't yet been voted on by the full House.

CRS Official Summary

LPOE Modernization Trust Fund ActThis bill establishes the Land Port of Entry Modernization Trust Fund and addresses other issues related to U.S. ports of entry.The bill transfers specified amounts, including a portion of certain collected customs fees, to the trust fund each year. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State to collect certain surcharges related to immigration and land border inspections, with a portion of the surcharges to be deposited into the trust fund. DHS may not seek to increase fees to offset the amounts transferred into the trust fund.Subject to appropriations, the amounts in the trust fund may be used to (1) construct new ports of entry, (2) expand and improve existing ports of entry, (3) procure technology for inspecting and processing traffic passing through ports of entry, and (4) hiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection staff.DHS must also establish the Land Port of Entry Modernization Oversight Board to advise DHS on how to use the trust fund and to review the trust fund's expenditures.

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Latest Action

February 13, 2025

Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

Sponsor

4 cosponsors

Key Dates

Introduced
February 13, 2025
Last Updated
February 13, 2025
Read Full Text on Congress.gov →
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