H.R. 9738: Streamlining Military Infrastructure Act

This bill would require certain senior officials at the Army, Navy, and Air Force to submit a report to Congress within 120 days after the bill becomes law. The report would examine whether the military could use intergovernmental support agreements more often to complete certain smaller construction projects.

What the bill is about

Intergovernmental support agreements are arrangements where the military works with a state or local government to provide services or complete projects. This bill does not itself authorize new construction projects or funding. Instead, it asks the Defense Department to study whether this approach could be used for unspecified minor military construction projects, which are relatively small military building or infrastructure projects.

What the required report must include

• Feasibility of using these agreements: The report must assess whether intergovernmental support agreements could be used for these projects under revised spending limits.
• Possible dollar limits: It must consider whether the following higher thresholds would make sense:
  • $18 million for laboratory revitalization projects
  • $8 million for projects paid for with Operation and Maintenance funds
• Possible projects: The report must also list up to 10 projects from military facility investment plans or facility support programs that could potentially be done through these agreements.

Who would have to report

The report would be prepared by the Assistant Secretaries responsible for installations, energy, and environment in the:

• Army
• Navy
• Air Force

Practical effect

If enacted, the bill would not directly change military construction rules by itself. Its main effect would be to require the Pentagon to examine whether partnering with local governments could help speed up or simplify certain smaller military infrastructure projects, and whether higher cost limits should be used for that approach.

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