BUILD Initiative

The Beginning of Unity and Integration Legislation and Development Initiative (Act No.1; 1st Congress) is the first law passed by the Altarian High Council and Grand Assembly.

Overview
The BUILD Initiative is the first funding and directive bill to be passed by the Altarian Legislature and essentially creates the federal government. A study was undertaken for national needs and it was from this study that the BUILD initiative was created. Most of recommendations of the study have been taken into consideration and passed on in the bill.

Federal Defense
The BUILD initiative has allotted an initial budget and a mandate for the creation of a national defense force to be administered and commanded by the federal government. Initially only three branches were to be created; the Army, Navy and National Militia with airborne responsibilities given to the Army. In the end the Altarian military was chosen as the model with 4 initial branches (Army, Navy, Air force, Marines) and the addition of a fifth (the Coast Guard). Initial budgets for the branches are as follows: Army ($1.4 billion), Navy ($1.6 billion), Air force ($1.1 billion), Marine Corps ($600 million) and the Coast Guard ($300 million). An additional $3 billion has been allotted for defense research and equipment procurement. One such program being the Fleet Force Development Program. $2 billion more has been given for base construction and procurement. A study has also been mandated to investigate and oversee military spending and effectiveness in order to develop a yearly military budget based on needs, capabilities and effectiveness.

National Infrastructure
Over $60 billion has been earmarked for nationwide infrastructure projects and programs by the BUILD initiative. Repair and expansion of existing road and rail networks, expansion of the national power grid, initial construction of an interstate highway system, upgrading internet and communications infrastructure as well as port expansion and maintenance.

Healthcare
Expansion projects for federal healthcare facilities has received $10 billion with another $30 billion going towards state health assistance projects. Funding has also been given for a study into creating a standardized national healthcare training and operation policy.

Law Enforcement
While law enforcement mostly falls on the states the federal government still has law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Marshals service, Federal Investigations Bureau and Bureau of Drugs, Firearms and Alcohol. $12.6 billion has been given to create the Justice department and necessary sub departments.

Transnational Relations
$30 billion has been allocated towards national peace and reconciliation programs in order to better foster a lasting peace between the states of the republic.