The BUILD Act establishes two new federal grant programs to help small law enforcement agencies and fire departments improve their facilities and infrastructure. Small police departments serving communities under 50,000 residents can receive grants up to $4 million for projects related to emergency services, officer training, recruitment and retention, and community safety, while career, combination, and volunteer fire departments in similarly-sized jurisdictions can receive the same maximum amount for comparable facility improvements and services. The bill authorizes $250 million annually for three years (fiscal years 2026-2028) for each program, administered by the Attorney General and the Federal Emergency Management Agency respectively, with grants distributed as equitably as possible across U.S. regions. Before awarding grants, federal agencies must issue guidance, distribute information to eligible agencies, and conduct or commission studies examining the current infrastructure needs of these small departments. The Attorney General and FEMA administrator must also report to Congress every two years on grant distribution and infrastructure needs for six years following enactment.
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