IBEM Act of 2025
The IBEM Act of 2025 (International Bridge and Port of Entry Modernization Act) would overhaul the permitting process for border infrastructure by amending the International Bridge Act of 1972. Its core aims are to (a) broaden the types of border projects eligible for Presidential permits beyond international bridges to include land ports of entry on the U.S. side of the border with Mexico and Canada, and (b) streamline the process to accelerate approvals. A notable feature is a proposed restriction on environmental review: the bill would prohibit the Secretary from compiling or considering environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for Presidential permit applications under the amended subsection, effectively reducing or bypassing standard environmental assessments for these projects. The overall effect would be a faster, more centralized permitting pathway for certain border infrastructure, but with reduced environmental scrutiny. In addition, the bill redefines the basis and scope of the permit process (e.g., labeling certain criteria as the sole basis for decisions) and expands the terminology to explicitly include land ports of entry in relevant subsections. This suggests a tighter, more directed decision framework for border infrastructure projects, with a clear emphasis on speed and scope of approvals over broader regulatory review.
Key Points
- 1Expands eligible projects: The act broadens the scope from international bridges to include land ports of entry on the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada (and maintains the bridge options), expanding the universe of projects that require a Presidential permit.
- 2Removes certain environmental review requirements: The bill prohibits the Secretary from compiling or considering NEPA environmental documents for Presidential permit applications under the amended subsection, effectively reducing environmental review for these projects.
- 3Strengthens the permitting basis: The bill indicates that the permit decision will be based on a “sole” basis of the criteria in the statute, narrowing the grounds upon which decisions can be made.
- 4Broadens cross-border scope in multiple provisions: Throughout the amendment, references to “international bridge” are updated to include “or land port of entry,” ensuring consistency across subsections (a), (b), (c), and (f).
- 5Shortens or bypasses the time-bound restrictions: The previous date window (December 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024) is removed, repurposing the provision to apply to current and future projects without a prior sunset timeframe.