To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for payments in lieu of taxes for certain Department of Homeland Security land.

Mr. Speaker, I recently introduced H.R. 543, legislation to include certain Department of Homeland Security facilities, such as ports of entry, under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes, PILT, program.

Since 1976, communities have received payments from the Interior Department's PILT program to help offset losses in property taxes due to nontaxable Federal lands administered by the BLM, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service.

However, all along our Border, communities are not reimbursed for land that the Department of Homeland Security uses for ports of entry. The community often provides resources and services to these facilities without reimbursement from the government. My bill, H.R. 543 provides support for these communities.

H.R. 543 amends existing law to include certain Department of Homeland Security facilities, such as ports of entry, under the PILT program. Providing access to these payments will help these communities with the important work they provide along our borders.