HR1297-119

What This Bill Does

The LPOE Modernization Trust Fund Act creates a Treasury trust fund for land port of entry modernization. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, it deposits 25 percent of certain COBRA customs fees, up to $1.6 billion in merchandise processing fees, 25 percent of new immigrant user fee, land border inspection fee, and machine-readable visa fee surcharges, and interest into the fund. Amounts are available only through advance appropriations for new ports of entry, expansion and improvement of existing ports, inspection technology and cargo infrastructure, major repairs, and hiring CBP officers, agricultural specialists, and professional staff. The Secretary of Homeland Security must consult GSA, Army Corps, state, local, and Tribal governments, commerce groups, and advisory committees, consider binational transportation plans, file annual implementation reports, and work with a nine-member Land Port of Entry Modernization Oversight Board that includes federal officials plus trucking, border port, rail, and transportation authority representatives.

Who Benefits and How

Land ports of entry benefit from a dedicated funding stream for construction, repairs, technology, and staffing. CBP officers and agricultural specialists benefit if trust-fund appropriations support hiring and better inspection infrastructure. Trucking and cross-border commerce interests benefit from board representation and modernization projects that can reduce congestion. State, local, and Tribal governments near ports benefit from consultation on port priorities and transportation plans.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Travelers and visa applicants bear new or redirected surcharges, including $40 immigrant user fee, $6 land border inspection fee, and $20 machine-readable visa fee surcharges. The Department of Homeland Security must manage the trust fund, board, reports, consultations, and project prioritization. The Treasury Department must invest fund balances and handle transfers from fee accounts. Congress must provide advance appropriations before trust-fund amounts can be spent.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Land Port of Entry Modernization Trust Fund in Treasury.
• Deposits portions of customs, merchandise processing, immigration, land-border, and visa fee streams into the fund.
• Authorizes fund uses for port construction, modernization, inspection technology, repairs, and CBP staffing.
• Requires annual reports and creates a Land Port of Entry Modernization Oversight Board.