Senate
Page S2799 · Official textThe Senate met at 10 a.m. and was called to order by the President pro tempore (Mr. Grassley).
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Vol. 172, No. 101 · 119th Congress, 2nd session
Prayer
Page S2799 · Official textThe Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, offered the following prayer: Let us pray. Holy God, in whose presence the dark nights of challenge are dispelled by the dawn of Your love, You know our needs before we express them. Bless our lawmakers with guidance, strength, and perseverance. Inspire them as instruments of Your peace, bringing unity where there is division, light where there is darkness, and hope where there is despair. Lord, give them the wisdom to seek justice, courage, and humility. Help us all to treat one another with compassion, respect, and integrity, recognizing our shared humanity and our need for Your grace. May our words and actions reflect Your love. And, Lord, bring peace to our troubled world. We pray in Your righteous Name. Amen.
Pledge of Allegiance
Page S2799 · Official textThe President pro tempore led the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows:
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I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Reservation of Leader Time
Page S2799 · Official textThe PRESIDENT pro tempore (Mr. ARMSTRONG)
Under the previous order, the leadership time is reserved.
Morning Business
Page S2799 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the Senate will be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.
The Senator from Iowa.
E15
Pages S2799–S2800 · Official textMr. President, a top issue for Iowans and particularly an issue in these midterm elections is the farm economy, which isn't very good. Farmers continue to face stronger headwinds. It is not profitable today, particularly in grain farming. It is not just an Iowa issue. It is not just an American issue. I recently read that Brazil farmers are being foreclosed on because of low prices there as well.
There are two ways of attacking this. There are only two sides of a ledger. We can help lower input costs and increase markets for farmers. Farmers continue to say they don't want checks from the Treasury that are often passed on to the input suppliers; they want their prices from the marketplace.
So I have a solution about the marketplace. I and other Senators, both Republican and Democrat, have been talking about the ethanol issue of E15. We have been doing that for months now. I have been sharing that year-round E15 would create a nearly $14 billion increase in demand for corn in the United States. Those figures come from economists and the Iowa Corn Growers Association.
But this does not show the full picture. E15 would also add $25.8 billion to the national gross domestic product and 128,000 jobs. Most of the jobs and value created from E15 support rural communities. High-paying jobs go to local ethanol plants, grain cooperatives, ag equipment manufacturing, and other agriculture suppliers. And, of course, the farmers benefit from it as well.
During my annual 99-county Q&As that I hold around the State--this year and each year--I have heard directly from Iowans at county farm bureaus, other businesses, and cooperatives how year-round E15 will support the rural American economy.
It is time, then, that the Senate pass E15 legislation. It is good for the farmers. It is good for good-paying jobs in rural America. It is good for the environment because ethanol is cleaner burning than gasoline from fossil fuels. It is good for national security, as we depend less on foreign sources of energy. So I like to say when I do a ribbon-cutting at the opening of an ethanol plant, it is good, good, good. You have heard it too: M'm, m'm good.
I want to speak also about ethanol and E15 as a process right here in the U.S. Senate, and I think it is about time that this be highlighted by both Democrats and Republicans from agricultural States that support E15 but don't talk about it enough. Now, it could be handled as a separate issue in the U.S. Senate, and that would be the appropriate way to do it. But you know, when the Senate is only in session about 3 days out of the week, we aren't getting much done with separate pieces of legislation. So something like E15 is going to have to find a home in some other bill--the farm bill, the Defense bill, appropriations bills. But we aren't talking about what that is going to do. I just mentioned three possibilities, and there aren't a whole lot of other possibilities.
There is even talk around here that you don't hear or read in the press, but talk about maybe the government is going to shut down just before the election, that maybe Democrats want the government shut down just before the election. Then, you know what, you get into continuing resolutions, and continuing resolutions are usually what we call clean--nothing added to it.
So let's say we get to October 1 and there are no appropriations bills. Then you have a continuing resolution until Thanksgiving. Then you don't pass appropriations bills and you have a continuing resolution until Christmas. And then Christmas comes and you have a continuing resolution that maybe takes you over into the new calendar year, middle of February. And if those are all clean appropriations bills, where are you going to put E15 if it is not on the farm bill or the Defense bill or appropriations bills?
Now, we have to start thinking about that, both Republicans and Democrats, from farm States that support ethanol. We have to be thinking about what we are going to do if this isn't going to come up as a separate bill on the floor of the U.S. Senate. And I think we had better put our heads together. That is probably at least 28 Senators from grain-growing States in the United States where we grow. At least 14 States, 28 Senators better put our heads together, or we are going to lose the opportunity of getting E15.
It is through the House of Representatives. It is further than it has ever been. And if we miss this opportunity, we may never get E15 and lose that $14 billion that the economists for the Iowa corn growers tell us that we are going to get--increased price of grain.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Recognition of the Majority Leader
Page S2800 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
The majority leader is recognized.
Senate Democrats
Page S2800 · Official textMr. President, I don't think at this point there are too many people who think Democrats were actually interested in reforms of Border Patrol and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement because it was pretty clear from their actions that they were not.
If you are interested in getting reforms, you don't say no when you are repeatedly offered a robust reform package, even if you can't get every single thing you want.
But Democrats, of course, said no again and again and again. And eventually, they just walked away completely and refused to provide even a dollar of funding for Border Patrol or ICE. Clearly, they decided that having a political issue for November was more important than reforms.
And you certainly don't have to take my word for it because the Democrat leader came out last week and admitted that the decisions he and his party have made in this Congress have been about one thing, and that is improving Democrats' prospects in November. This is a quote: "We made a lot of strategic decisions that got us to this place--it didn't happen by accident," the Democrat leader said, referring to his view of his party's position. And you know what he ticked off as some of the most strategic decisions? Democrats' two recordbreaking government shutdowns. That is right.
Democrats shut down the government twice to try to improve their chances in November, not to help hard-working Americans, not to get reforms at ICE and Border Patrol--no; to improve their chances in November.
Let's just run down some of the consequences of Democrats' choices. The disastrous situation at U.S. airports that resulted from Democrats' decision to cut off funding for air traffic controllers, for one. There are the incredible lines that Americans faced at TSA in the middle of that shutdown, the TSA officers who have left in droves thanks to Democrats' decision to force them to work without pay for quite literally months this fiscal year.
There is the strain Democrats' actions placed on our national security Agencies and the people entrusted with protecting our Nation. And then there were the government workers lining up at food banks charging necessary expenses on credit cards and wondering if they would be evicted from their homes because they couldn't afford to pay next month's rent.
The damage Democrats have caused have been immense. And for what? For what? To improve their chances in November. Democrats would like you to believe they are the party of the little guy, of everyday American workers, but a better insight into their real attitude might be gained by the Democrat leader's statement earlier in Democrats' first government shutdown when he said this:
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Every day gets better for us.
The "us," of course, being Democrats.
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Every day gets better for us.
When the Democrat leader made this statement, military families were on the verge of missing pay. So were a lot of civilian government employees like the Capitol Police officers who stand on guard for us around this building. People were wondering how they would cover their rent, their food, their commuting costs, their electric bills.
But none of that was on the Democrat leader's mind. All he could think about was whether the shutdown was good for Democrats' polling.
Then there is the article that came out last week about what House Democrats' first bill would be should they take the majority in November. Democrat leadership, of course, have been trying to push the narrative that Democrats' big interest is in making life more affordable for everyday Americans. But as last week's article made clear, it turns out that House Democrats are by no means agreed that affordability should be at the top of their priority list; they are interested in other issues like a reboot of their proposed Federal election takeover, or simply trying to undo anything President Trump has done presumably--presumably--simply because President Trump has done it.
I wonder if they would try to undo the tax relief Republicans passed for working families which every single Democrat voted against. Hard to know, but as the Democrat leader made clear last week, one thing is for sure: It is not the American people who are top of mind for Senate Democrats; it is their election prospects in November.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant executive clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Recognition of the Minority Leader
Page S2800 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
The Democratic leader is recognized.
Iran
Pages S2800–S2801 · Official textMr. President, for months--for months--Senate Democrats and I have said that Trump's blunder of a war with Iran can't end soon enough.
We have been told dozens of times that the war is over, and dozens of times we have been disappointed.
Trump has yet to give Americans a reason to believe that this latest peace deal won't leave them disappointed again. It has been 2 days since Trump claimed he had reached an "understanding" with Iran, and he still hasn't released any details, an MOU--memo of understanding--about what it actually is.
We keep hearing inconsistent statements from different members of the administration. So I am asking three things: First, I am calling on Donald Trump to hold a classified Gang of 8 meeting to disclose this so-called MOU, this memo of understanding. Second, I am calling on Trump to brief the whole Congress on this MOU, this memo of understanding. And third, and most importantly, I am calling on Trump to inform the American people on whatever his understanding with Iran involves, and he should do it immediately so we all know what the heck is going on.
We are in the middle of a war. No one quite understands what Trump is up to, and now he is keeping everybody in the dark. Americans need to know whether their loved ones in uniform will remain in harm's way.
Americans need to know what Trump has promised to Iran and what the United States will get out of it. Americans need to know how and when this war will truly end. They need to know what is the deal on the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused gas prices to go through the roof, and we need to know what the projected end time is and what Iran will be doing with its nuclear capabilities.
After more than 100 days of bloodshed, 13 Americans killed, hundreds more wounded, and tens of billions of dollars spent, the American people are, rightfully, wondering, What exactly did we get out of Trump's failed war?
Trump's Iranian misadventure has left America worse off than when he started it, worse off by every measure. The Iranian regime is more extreme than before Trump launched this disastrous war.
Iran has more control over the Strait of Hormuz than before Trump's disastrous war. Gas prices are dramatically higher than before Trump took us to war, and it is going to take months and months to go back to normal, given the destruction of the supply chains for oil and gas.
Trump asked the Americans to pay the immense cost to shoulder the burden of a war they did not ask for and gives them nothing in return. Democrats will soon force a vote on a War Powers Resolution to end Trump's war because every minute this blunder goes on is a minute too long.
Trump needs to reveal the deal and end this war once and for all.
Anti-Weaponization Fund
Page S2801 · Official textMr. President, on the slush fund, Trump's slush fund, anyone who seriously thinks Trump has any intention of dropping his plans for a MAGA slush fund that will funnel billions of tax dollars to him and his cronies clearly hasn't been paying attention.
Trump hasn't even intended to promise that he is done with this slush fund and saying instead that the corrupt scheme is "a beautiful thing." That is what Trump said. Republicans said he is going to end it, some of them. He says it is "a beautiful thing." Whom do you believe?
Trump said it is "a beautiful thing. I love it. I think it's so important." That is what he said about the slush fund.
So anyone who thinks Trump is ready to forgo it is sadly mistaken. They are not listening to his words; they are not listening to who he is.
The only way to ensure Trump's corrupt taxpayer-funded slush fund never sees the light of day is to ban it permanently by law and also ban Trump's sweetheart tax deal that gives Trump and his family a permission slip to commit tax fraud for a lifetime.
That is why I will force Republicans to answer for Trump's slush fund and IRS sweetheart deal today. I am going to force the Republicans to answer for this Trump slush fund and the IRS sweetheart deal by asking to ban it by law on the floor.
Senate Republicans have already refused to outlaw the fund, and now they will have to show the country whom they stand for once again: American taxpayers or Donald Trump; working families or cop-beating insurrectionists.
It is unbelievable. Republicans seem to think that a promise from Todd Blanche, who built his career on bending the truth in service to Trump, and a hope and a prayer that Trump will suddenly find a conscience are enough to stop the slush fund. It makes no sense.
Republicans won't be able to wash their hands of Trump's effort to defraud the American people at a time when they are struggling to make ends meet as costs skyrocket.
Childcare
Page S2801 · Official textMr. President, today Senators Murray, Warren, and I are releasing the most comprehensive Senate report to date on Trump's broken promise to make childcare more affordable.
A couple months ago, Trump said:
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Don't send any money for day care because the United States can't take care of day care. . . . It's not possible for us to take care of day care, Medicare, Medicaid, all these individual things.
That is what Trump said. Really, Trump?
Trump thinks it is fine to stick working Americans with the bill for his gilded ballroom, his costly war in Iran, $2 billion of slush fund payouts for him and his MAGA loyalists, and trillions of dollars of tax cuts for the wealthy, but helping families afford childcare is just too much? What a disgrace.
Trump isn't just refusing to lower costs of childcare; he is actively making it more expensive and harder for families to find, and they are desperate for it.
Trump has removed caps on childcare costs, frozen $2.4 billion in childcare funding for five States that didn't vote for him, and made numerous other changes that have driven up the cost of childcare.
Is it any wonder families paying 5 percent more for childcare now than before Trump took office in 2025 are angry? Of course, they are angry. When I was majority leader and Democrats were in charge, we made a historic $39 billion investment in childcare that lowered childcare costs by 10 percent, added 63,000 new childcare workers, and increased the supply of available childcare slots by 7 percent.
America, that is what Democrats did when we had the majority; we helped people with childcare. What does Trump do? He slashes it and then proposes billions of dollars for a slush fund for him and his family. What callousness, what hard-heartedness, and how out of touch with the American people can Trump be?
Election Security
Page S2801 · Official textMr. President, on our Spotlight Forum, later today, Senator Padilla and I will hold a Spotlight Forum on State and local efforts to protect free and fair elections from the chaos coming out of the Trump administration.
This Spotlight Forum is because the Republicans will not hold hearings on this important issue: protecting our elections. So we have our own Spotlight Forum, where people can testify, and the American people can learn the truth.
As Trump gears up to interfere in our elections and discount the votes of the American people, Senate Democrats' Election Protection Task Force is preparing to protect the independence of American elections.
Trump's anti-democracy agenda has left local and State election officials vulnerable to cyber attacks, intimidation from Trump loyalists, and Federal seizure of election equipment and ballots.
Today, we are going to discuss what we can do to counter Trump's interference efforts and uphold the sanctity of our elections.
Donald Trump, listen to this: You may not know it because you sure don't act like you know it, in America, voters pick their leaders; leaders don't pick their voters. And Democrats will ensure that remains the case in 2026.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The majority whip.
Fraud
Pages S2801–S2802 · Official textMr. President, criminals are actively stealing billions of dollars from hard-working taxpayers. They are doing it through fraud, and the way to stop fraud is to punish those who commit it. And that is exactly what Republicans are doing.
For 4 years, Joe Biden and the Democrats treated fraud as acceptable and inevitable. Criminals defrauded hard-working taxpayers by deception and deceit. Democrats knew about it. They looked the other way.
Republicans are putting an end to it. We made fighting fraud a top priority. That is how to protect hard-working taxpayers and their money.
Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cut law. We strengthened eligibility requirements for Medicaid. We ensured that illegal immigrants did not receive taxpayer-funded healthcare. We put in place work requirements for Medicaid and for food stamps.
At the same time, President Trump created an anti-fraud task force. Vice President Vance is leading the charge here. He has an incredible effort going on now, and he is working with clarity and urgency.
Criminals are now hearing a clear message: No amount of fraud is too small to prosecute.
The battlefield against fraud is nationwide, and Minnesota is ground zero for fraud. We know the story. Let me tell you how bad fraud is in Minnesota. Criminals are using children--children with autism--as a way to get rich quickly.
Mr. President, 8 years ago, the Minnesota Medicaid program for children with autism spent $6 million. The money is needed and used to help children actually diagnosed with autism. But driven by massive criminal fraud, the pricetag ballooned from $6 million to $192 million going out.
How did this happen? Well, the program was being looted by crooks, by criminals, and loaded up with corruption. The money was being siphoned away from children with autism--children in need.
Last month, Federal officials charged 15 individuals for stealing $90 million connected to the State's federally funded healthcare program. According to the Justice Department, that includes the largest autism fraud scheme ever prosecuted.
The schemes didn't stop there. Remember the fraudulent daycare center in Minnesota? No children--zero children--were actually enrolled in that facility. It was set up for one purpose and one purpose only: It was set up to steal money from the U.S. Treasury.
So I just heard the minority leader, Senator Schumer, here on the floor talking about daycare centers. Why did the Democrats ignore the abuse of daycare centers to steal money from the American people, from our taxpayers? They don't seem to care about that. They just say: Send more money, send more money, send more money.
And then he comes to the floor, complaining about daycare centers, when it is the fraud in Minnesota, with their own candidate for Vice President being the Governor, overseeing it, ignoring it, allowing it to happen. They don't seem to care about any of those things.
Well, our colleague Senator Joni Ernst investigated. She discovered one of these so-called daycare centers that Schumer is out here talking about as wonderful things. One of these daycare centers raked in over $230,000 from the Small Business Administration alone, just during the pandemic.
Remember, there were no children at the location--none. The Biden administration looked the other way, and the disgraced Governor of Minnesota looked the other way as well.
In total, stolen funds in Minnesota have now been identified as exceeding $9 billion. It is a staggering sum. And that is only one State run by Democrats. California is just as bad, if not worse. I would put it as worse.
Last week, many of us met with Dr. Mehmet Oz. Dr. Oz runs the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, confirmed here by the Senate. Dr. Oz says nearly half of hospice providers in Los Angeles are fraud--fraudulent hospice providers.
When you think about hospice and what it does--what it is supposed to do--in terms of caring and compassion, comforting those who are dying, not in California--it is used to defraud the government. Many of these so-called hospices don't serve a single patient. Many are shell offices, all in the same office building.
Recall, Los Angeles has only 3 percent of the population in the United States. Somehow, 33 percent of all hospice providers in the entire country are listed in L.A. There aren't that many people who are patients to justify that.
How can it be? Well, it is a racket. That is what it is. It is set up to steal money from the government, from our taxpayers.
And Democrats are well aware of the fraud, and they refuse to stop it. They refuse to talk about it. They want to keep looking the other way.
In Ohio, the anti-fraud task force dismantled a criminal scheme that stole tens of millions of dollars from Medicaid. The criminals submitted false claims for so-called behavior health services. These services were never provided. Criminals used the money to buy a fleet of luxury vehicles, including Maseratis, Mercedes, and a Bentley.
Thankfully, Senator Jon Husted and Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio voted for the Working Families Tax Cut law. They voted to root out exactly this kind of waste, fraud, abuse, and corruption.
Nationwide, total estimates of Medicaid fraud are as much as now $120 billion a year, and the fraud got worse after ObamaCare became law: bigger government, more money, more areas in which criminals can steal.
Vice President Vance is encouraging States to fight fraud in their Medicaid Programs. Those who don't enforce the law will lose Federal funds.
A pattern has emerged. Democrats run the blue States. They control the big cities. And when criminals steal vast amounts of money from hard-working taxpayers, elected Democrats go silent.
Appallingly, we have seen cases where Democrats actually tried to silence whistleblowers, who sound the alarm to try to want to point out what is happening. Democrats try to muzzle them.
Here in the Senate, every single Democrat voted against landmark legislation to fight fraud, to fight waste, to fight abuse, and to fight corruption. Democrats would rather protect thieves than protect hard-working American taxpayers and the people that these programs are created to help.
The American people are absolutely infuriated by the fraud that is being exposed. They are finally seeing the results in combatting it, and they want these people to go to jail.
Republicans are fighting the war against fraud. We are fighting to protect taxpayers, to protect vulnerable families, and fighting to punish the criminals who steal from our country and our communities.
The American people deserve accountability. Criminals deserve the consequences.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Democratic whip.
Medicaid
Pages S2802–S2803 · Official textMr. President, the President called it the Big Beautiful Bill--his budget--the Big Beautiful Bill. That Big Beautiful Bill did give tax breaks--there is no question about it--primarily to the richest people in this country.
Is that what you think is a priority for America? It is not what I think. It is one of the reasons I voted no.
The second thing it did was to cut Medicaid reimbursements to hospitals and healthcare providers by $1 trillion over the next several years--$1 trillion.
Do you know what the hospital administrators in Illinois told me would happen as a result of those cutbacks of Medicaid payments? Hospitals will close, particularly downstate hospitals in rural areas and those in the inner cities.
We went to those administrators of the hospitals directly and said: Forget the political hype in Washington. What is going to happen on the ground in the State of Illinois and across the Nation when $1 trillion in Medicaid reimbursement disappears?
They said: Well, first, the hospitals will close certain departments.
I have noticed in Central Illinois--my own experience--that means usually the delivery of babies, as well as behavioral medicine, mental health counseling. Those are the first to go.
But some hospitals won't make it. The hospitals in rural areas, as you know, are small and willful and do their darnedest, with volunteer help from the communities, to stay open, and they are critically important.
If you happen to live in rural Illinois, maybe you are a farm family, and there is a terrible accident that occurs on the farm. Driving 20 minutes versus driving an hour and 20 minutes can be life or death.
So the Republicans who want to cut $1 trillion from Medicaid--$1 trillion--and give tax breaks to wealthy people? Vote me no. Vote all the Democrats no. Those aren't the priorities of this country.
Fisa
Pages S2803–S2804 · Official textMr. President, when it comes to fraud, there is no excuse for it, but let's not overstate the obvious. Government Agencies across this country are doing the best they can in some instances but can always do better.
I don't think that we have a monopoly when it comes to virtue in our party or any other party. There are those who break the law and should be held accountable, and there are those who are doing their best to uphold the law, and they should be encouraged. To suggest that the Democrats are the party of fraud and the Republicans are the party of virtue--you know better than that. People in both political parties could have a tuneup when it comes to virtue, and I add myself to that list as well.
Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, is a powerful tool for collecting information that has been abused for way too long. Most Americans would flunk the test of, what is FISA? what is 702?
Here is what it boils down to: We approve, under law 702, allowing our intelligence Agencies to collect the private communications of foreigners overseas without a warrant. Why? We suspect those foreigners are involved in activity that is not safe for the United States. Am I supportive of that? Count me in.
But section 702 enables surveillance of more than just foreigners overseas; millions of innocent Americans' texts, emails, and phone calls are swept up in this dragnet if they communicated with a foreigner. So if you find somebody in a foreign country whom you suspect of illegal or dangerous activity and you wiretap their telephone communication, the person on the other end of the phone may not be a foreigner but an American citizen.
Unfortunately, it turns out that thousands and thousands of American citizens have their texts and phone conversations tapped under section 702. Our intelligence Agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations, puts these communications in searchable databases that they use to spy on Americans without a warrant.
The independent Privacy and Civil Liberties Board and the FISA Court have documented shocking abuses of section 702 by our own government intelligence Agencies. And 702 has been used to spy on American religious leaders, American political parties, American journalists, and protestors from across the political spectrum. Such abuses have been documented under both Democrats and Republicans.
But the prospect of placing warrantless--that means no court approval ahead of time--surveillance power in the hands of this administration is particularly alarming. President Trump and his appointees have repeatedly weaponized the power of the Federal Government to target President Trump's perceived enemies.
Take Bill Pulte, President Trump's first choice to serve as the Acting Director of National Intelligence. Pulte currently serves as the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, where he has pushed for criminal referrals against those who have angered President Trump, from New York attorney general Letitia James to Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.
Even though Pulte himself has no--no--intelligence experience, President Trump chose him to lead our national intelligence apparatus and to help oversee that powerful section 702. The public outcry changed the President's mind. The President, after he heard from both Democrats and Republicans what a terrible choice Pulte would be, dropped him and now has nominated Jay Clayton, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, to serve as Director of National Intelligence.
This episode demonstrates the inherent danger of warrantless surveillance. No single branch of government in the United States should have unchecked power to spy on Americans, whether this power is in the hands of Bill Pulte; Jay Clayton; Kash Patel, the leader of the FBI; or whoever President Trump installs next.
Repeated efforts to rein in the abuses of section 702 with minimal reforms have failed time and time again. And now the Trump administration refuses to disclose the latest ruling from the FISA Court detailing ongoing abuses.
The long and ongoing history of abuse makes it clear that without checks from a separate branch of government, section 702 will always be at risk of abuse as a massive delegation of power to an executive Agency. That is why the drafters of the Constitution many years ago--250--decided that we should never have warrantless searches of Americans. They prohibited it.
It is time to stop tinkering around the edges of 702 and make meaningful changes once and for all. That is why I joined Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah to introduce the SAFE Act--a bipartisan bill in the Senate that would require the government to obtain a judicial warrant before searching Americans' communications collected under section 702. But Republican leadership have refused to hold a vote on the SAFE Act and instead have attempted to extend FISA's authorization without any serious reform.
I have been through this many times since 9/11. I am obviously skeptical of this power being given to the government. And I have watched, when we find abuses, well-documented abuses, the limited reforms that are finally accepted, and they just don't do the job.
Let me give you, from the Brennan Center for Justice report, some numbers that tell the story.
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Congress and the FISA Court have attempted to place some modest limits on the government's use of backdoor searches.
That is what they call it when Americans are swept up.
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Intelligence agencies, and the [Federal Bureau of Investigations] in particular, have habitually violated those limits. In 2022, the FISA Court observed that "compliance problems with the FBI's querying of Section 702 information have proven to be persistent and widespread." Indeed, in March 2022, the government reported more than 278,000--
More than 278,000--
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noncompliant searches of information obtained through FISA.
These noncompliant searches would include eavesdropping on Americans without government approval--278,000.
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Moreover, from 2018 through 2024, the law required the FBI to obtain a warrant before conducting backdoor searches in a very small subcategory of cases involving certain criminal investigations. Despite conducting dozens of such searches during that time, the FBI never once got a warrant.
As required by our Constitution.
The abuses continue, and there are those we know nothing about that are going on as of this day.
There was an investigation of the use of FISA, leading to a classified report, which I have seen myself in the Senate intelligence SCIF. Members of the Senate can have access to it, but the Trump administration refuses to make it public for the rest of America. That is unfortunate. It makes the argument that I believe is compelling in this case.
Republican leadership have refused to hold a vote on this reform measure Senator Lee and I have introduced. They have argued this program is just too essential to allow for any delay in reauthorization or consideration of real reforms.
Yet, just recently, President Trump said that before we reauthorize FISA, we have to agree to add his elections reform measure--the one that requires ID requirements before you can vote. Now, there are certain IDs which are easy, but in the original version of this bill that the President wants, driver's licenses, which we use all over the country, would not be acceptable.
Congress has time to get this right. Section 702 surveillance operates under yearlong certifications approved by the FISA Court, and it has already been recertified through March of next year, 2027. This means intelligence collection under 702 will be able to continue until next March even if the law technically expires this week--or last week.
But if my colleagues want to reauthorize section 702 quickly, there is a simple solution, and my colleague Senator Wyden of Oregon made this point on the floor last week. We can bring reform to section 702 and give larger numbers to support it and its reauthorization. Support these commonsense, bipartisan reforms supported by a majority of American citizens to prevent 702 from being used to violate basic constitutional rights.
Unfortunately, our demands for reform have received no help from the President. He is more concerned with pushing the SAVE America Act, changing every election--his bill to make it harder for Americans to vote.
Over the weekend, President Trump announced that he opposes any FISA reauthorization that does not include Save America, as I mentioned. This act would slap undue burdens and excessive costs on Americans seeking to exercise their most fundamental right--the right to vote.
So why would the President support adding this measure to critical 702 reauthorization? Because he is afraid of the next election. That is what it comes down to. He is afraid his party is going to lose in November. He saw when he went to Texas and argued that the Republicans in control there should redraw all the congressional maps for the November election on the chance that the Republicans will pick up more seats. We will see what happens.
Section 702 must not be linked to President Trump's efforts to suppress the vote. Instead, Congress should reauthorize it with reasonable reforms, bipartisan reforms that protect our national security and safeguard America's constitutional rights.
Trump's campaign of retribution and attacks on America's ability to vote make this mission all the more important. We cannot allow a President consumed by vengeance to monitor Americans' private communications with no external checks or limits.
Our Nation's Founders understood this well, which is why they created the Fourth Amendment to safeguard Americans from government overreach into their lives. For too long, section 702 has jeopardized those protections, but we have a chance to end that abuse now.
Let's not wait any longer. Congress should reauthorize section 702 with sensible reforms and finally put an end to the unconstitutional surveillance of innocent American citizens.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sheehy)
The Senator from North Carolina.
Av-8b Harrier
Page S2804 · Official textMr. President, I rise today to honor a significant milestone in Marine Corps aviation history. Earlier this month, on June 3, the AV-8B Harrier aircraft retired from combat after four decades in service.
Since the aircraft's introduction in 1985, the Harrier has symbolized the Marine Corps' elite operational mobility. Its vertical and short takeoff, combined with its landing capabilities, have enabled marines to operate from remote locations and ships around the world. From supporting missions in diverse environments, including Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf, the jump jet has proven itself to be a reliable aircraft time and time again.
The Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, NC, is home to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and it has served as the center of the Harrier community for over 40 years. Under the command of Lt. Col. John Cumbie at VMA-223--the final Harrier squadron--all pilot training and daily operations have taken place in Havelock, making the Harrier a familiar presence.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to fly over Eastern North Carolina in a Harrier jet with Maj. Lucas Pumphrey, Maj. Eric Scheibe, and Brig. Gen. Shannon Brown. Experiencing the aircraft's capabilities firsthand offered a powerful reminder that behind every mission are exceptional marines whose skill, discipline, and dedication to duty make these operations possible and help preserve the security of the United States and our allies.
The AV-8B Harrier has retired from service, but it will be preserved at STARBASE STEM education center at Cherry Point, where it will be on display for the public. This transition from a warfighting aircraft to a prominent piece of military history will continue to inspire generations to come.
Mr. President, please join me in honoring the Harrier, its storied history at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and the brave marines that flew the AV-8B.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Nebraska.
21st CENTURY ROAD TO HOUSING ACT
Pages S2804–S2805 · Official textMr. President, Nebraska is the best place in the world. Nebraska is where Americans want to be. And just recently, U.S. News just said Omaha, our largest city, is the second best place in the country for recent college grads. This is a wonderful recognition of what great quality of life we have in Omaha.
And as we welcome all the new college grads, it also reminds us that we have got more work to do with regard to housing. Housing is something that we need to make more affordable for Americans. Just 10 years ago, the average age of a new homeowner was 31 years old. Today, the average age of a new homeowner is 40.
About 25 percent of the cost of a new home is regulation and redtape. And, actually, for an apartment building it is even worse--it is 40 percent. I was talking to an apartment builder in Omaha, and he described to me how when he first got into building apartment buildings, he could build an apartment for about $15,000 and now the cost is well over $200,000.
Now, this is not a new issue. When I was Governor of the great State of Nebraska, this was something we worked on as well. In fact, I worked with my legislature to introduce the Rural Workforce Housing Act. We put about $7 million into a grant program which allowed rural communities to be able to partner with developers to be able to help build homes or apartment buildings.
The way it often worked is that the community would create a low-interest fund that developers would apply to--oftentimes using it, for example, as a bridge loan--build the housing development and then pay off the loan so the money could be recycled back into the next loan to help build more houses.
It was very successful, and we ultimately added more money to that program and then created the Middle Income Housing Fund as well to be able to help out cities like Omaha.
Here in the Senate, I continue to bring this Nebraska solution to the rest of America. We are working on our ROAD to the 21st Century Housing Act. In fact, this is something that has passed both the Senate Banking Committee and on the House side as well, and I want to commend Chairman Scott for the great work he has done working with both sides of the aisle to receive their input to create the ROAD to the 21st Century Housing Act.
This is a bill that will help cut that regulatory redtape I was describing earlier. It includes several of the bills that I have introduced, including the Streamlining Rural Housing Act.
So this bill, in particular, what it does is requires Housing and Urban Development and USDA to work together. Both these Agencies will have grant money to help build homes. And a homeowner won't be able to take money from both of those, but what happens is--they both have their own permitting and review process, which often will be done in serial and creates more regulatory redtape and bureaucracy. What my bill does is require them to work together to streamline that process to be able to make it faster.
And this is something that, again, is part of the theme of many of the bills that we have put together into this ROAD to 21st Century Housing to be able to make the process easier. If we can build more homes faster and there are more homes available, that will help bring down the cost of housing. It is a pretty simple concept.
In addition to the Streamlining Rural Housing Act, I have got a number of bills that are also included in the ROAD to the 21st Century Housing Act, including the Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act. This was one that Mike Flood, who is the First District Congressman from Nebraska, brought up in the House.
Also Improving Housing Access Act; Housing for America's Middle Class Act; Rural Housing Service Reform Act, which I am a cosponsor of. All of these are included here to be able to help us cut the regulatory redtape, make housing more affordable, and be able to help reduce the costs for Nebraskans and Americans across the country.
We have passed this out of our side; the House has passed their side. Right now, we are working to take the best of both of those bills to be able to get something that we will, again, both vote on and then send to the President's desk.
This is, again, how we are working in the Senate to be able to reduce the costs of living for people across the country. I am very proud to be able to work with my colleagues on the ROAD to 21st Century Housing Act. I look forward to being able to get this to the President's desk for signature.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Virginia.
Immigration
Pages S2805–S2806 · Official textMr. President, I thank you and my colleagues for being on the verge of a vote on a matter I placed before the Senate to give Senator Durbin S.J. Res. 190. I think Senator Durbin has already spoken, and I believe Senator Padilla will follow me and then we will move to the vote.
But I just want to explain why I think this is such an important matter. The resolution would repeal a regulation that the Trump administration has put in place concerning the appeal of immigration cases.
So immigration cases, as we all know, that are heard in immigration courts by administrative law judges often involve very, very momentous matters for the applicant. And, traditionally, immigration cases are able to be appealed to an appellate administrative process in case a judge gets something wrong.
And the appellate process is designed in all court systems to enable the correction of error. No judge is infallible. Judges make mistakes. Sometimes judges make mistakes because the quality of the lawyering before the judge is not that good.
But whether it is a civil matter or a criminal matter or an administrative matter, a real hallmark of the American legal system--and I think it is something we can be proud of--is there is an appeal process to correct mistakes.
The regulation that President Trump's administration has put in place that I challenge in the resolution that will come up is a regulation that dramatically limits immigration appeals. So, for example, prior to the Trump regulation, somebody who got an immigration decision from an immigration court would have 30 days to appeal. The Trump administration regulation that I challenge has shrunk that amount of time to 10 days.
What is the problem with that? Oftentimes, the immigration judge signals a ruling but hasn't even done a written opinion within 10 days that an individual or lawyer could know whether there is a basis for appeal or not.
And so the reduction of the time to appeal to 10 days is certainly going to have the consequence--and I think it is an intentional thing--to dramatically limit people's ability even to appeal. The absence of a record, the absence of a written decision would severely challenge somebody's ability to appeal.
In some ways, the more serious concern I have about the regulation is it also gives the immigration judges a massive ability to summarily dismiss appeals without any hearing whatsoever. So even if you file your appeal within the 10 days, the new regulation allows the immigration court to summarily dismiss those appeals 10 days later unless a majority of the appellate body wants to hear the case. And so there is almost a default that the appeals will be summarily dismissed.
And, again, if you look at the time deadline: 10 days to file the appeal and then you can summarily dismiss within 10 days. A total of 20 days. Again, you may not even have a transcribed court record from the immigration hearing or a written opinion from the immigration judge by the end of that 20-day period.
And so this is an effort to essentially make the appeals process meaningless by imposing such tight time deadlines on the filing of appeal and encouraging the dismissal of appeals on a summary basis as to render the appeals process completely unworkable.
All right. What does that mean? Let's talk about what this means to immigrants in immigration courts. And I want to use two kinds of cases that are really common in the everyday work of our immigration courts.
The first is asylum cases. The United States has had a practice--and other nations have it as well. And, again, it is a practice that I think we should feel proud of--that we will offer asylum to individuals who are able to prove that they have a well-justified fear of persecution if they return to their country of origin.
And this has been used to protect people from torture, protect people from imprisonment, protect people from death, protect people from all kinds of grievous harms in their countries of origin because they are a political opponent, because they are a member of a religious minority or an ethnic minority, because they have been subjected to domestic violence, because they have been pressed into service in the military as a child soldier in countries that force people into the military at a young age.
And the United States, along with nations around the world, has always allowed someone to come in and make this case: I will be subject to persecution--even to torture and death--if you send me home. And the United States has allowed people to make that case. And my belief is that is a good thing, not a bad thing.
Maybe the standard should be a tough standard; but if you meet that standard, you should be allowed to remain here rather than be sent back to suffer horrible consequences in the country where you come from.
Let me give you a couple of examples of this that are sort of topical and recent examples. President Trump authorized military action in Nigeria on Christmas Day to bomb certain areas and target certain groups that were persecuting Christians.
Christians being persecuted in this part of Nigeria led the President to say: This justifies use of the United States military to try to eliminate the threat whereby people practicing their Christian faith will be targeted for torture and even death.
So the President has acknowledged that this is a serious concern. And so what if somebody from Nigeria seeks asylum status in the United States and says: I am a Christian; I am being targeted because of my religion; President Trump believes this is such a serious thing that he authorized United States military action to target terrorist groups in Nigeria to protect Christians; I would like asylum status in the United States based on President Trump's recognition that I am subject to religious persecution? If you force essentially the evisceration of an appeals process, you run the risk that individuals who are subject to persecution of this kind would be returned home and thereby face the very persecution that President Trump has spoken out against. Here is another one: Iran. Iran's regime is one of the grossest violators of human rights on the planet to political opponents, to religious minorities. There are Iranians in the United States right now who have active asylum cases and are attempting to demonstrate: Please don't send me back there. The work that I have done in Iran against the regime will immediately get me imprisoned or worse, should I be sent home. And so if you are going to have a protection for asylees, if you are going to say: We don't want to send people back to a place where they are going to be tortured or killed for an illegitimate reason--you shouldn't turn the immigration appeals process into essentially a worthless process that does not provide protection for people who have a high risk of suffering if we make a mistake in an immigration case. So that is one kind of case, and it is an asylum case. It is a standard, everyday case in our immigration courts. And I think there is a pretty strong motive that we not make mistakes in these cases but we get them right. And an appeals process that is substantive and significant increases the chance that we will make the right decision, and eliminating the appeals process or dramatically reducing it increases the chance that we will make a mistake. The second kind of case that is also just the everyday case: whether somebody, because of their immigration status, will be deported. Those cases are happening as we are speaking right now in immigration courts all over the country. Now, the cases tend to turn on a legal question about somebody's immigration status and whether they are subject to deportation because of their status. At the base of this case there is a legal issue, but in most of these cases the real issue is family separation: Will we separate children who were born in the United States from parents who came here in an undocumented status? Almost all of these cases about deportation involve families, and almost all of them involve families that have mixed status. Some might be U.S. citizens. Some might be green card holders who are seeking to be citizens. Some might have humanitarian parole. Some might be special immigrant visa status. And some are undocumented. And so while a case at an immigration court might seem like it is about a code provision, the human issue in the case is whether we maintain a family together or whether we force a family to separate, and there is not a more significant issue ever litigated in any court in this country than that. My wife Anne--and I talk about her probably too much on the Senate floor because I am so proud of her, but one of the chapters of her professional life was she was a juvenile court judge in the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for 9 years, and for the last 3 years she was the chief judge of the court. Now, the work--I know the Presiding Officer knows this--of a juvenile court judge is really tough because you are dealing with the worst things that people do to each other. You are dealing with child abuse cases. You are dealing with kids who are the victims of horrible crimes and, sadly, kids who commit horrible crimes. The number of times my wife had to preside over murder cases--again, somebody murdered or a young person who commits a murder--grim, grim stories, and she would come home in a bad mood because of that case. But the worst cases my wife ever had to preside over were not the murder cases. They were not the child abuse cases. My wife said the hardest cases for a juvenile and domestic relations court are cases involving the termination of parental rights. A parent has had a child. That parent might have been sentenced to prison. The parent might have an addiction issue. The parent might have had neglect issues or might have had serial abuse. Maybe the parent did a whole lot of bad things to this child. And now there is a legal proceeding before the juvenile and domestic relations court: Will the parent's right be terminated forever? I mean, it is a forever decision. It is a decision about family separation. And my wife would come home from those cases and say: These cases are tougher than the murder cases. They are tougher than the child abuse cases. When you are sitting as a judge and you are looking across the dais at somebody and the question that you have to decide is, Will I terminate this mother, terminate this father's right to be the parent of this child forever, those were the toughest cases--the toughest cases. That is what these immigration cases are. They are cases about a provision of the Immigration Code, but the consequence is family separation. In the instance of a deportation, it might be family separation forever. My wife would say, though: I hate these cases, but thank God there is an appeal. In the Virginia system, a decision about a termination of parental rights could be appealed up to the circuit court. And she used to say: I am a smart judge. I listen real carefully. I try to decide right. But I am not an infallible one. I might make a mistake. And the fact that there is an appeal that is essentially an appeal of right--that the individual can immediately file an appeal--and that appeal has to be heard in the circuit court, that gave her a little bit of comfort that, if I make a mistake, there can be somebody who can correct the mistake and not terminate somebody's rights to be a parent for the rest of their life over their own child. That is what these immigration cases are. In fact, I think even a higher percentage than dealing with asylum status are cases about deportation of people over their legal status. And in almost every one of those cases, it is really a case, at root, about family separation. And it just strikes me that when the stakes are that high--and if we acknowledge our own fallibility as legislators and as judges--having an appeals process that is meaningful isn't a bad thing. It is not something we should try to eliminate; it is something we should actually celebrate and say it is a hallmark of our system. And so, for that reason, following my colleague Senator Padilla, who I know is going to come and speak on this matter, I will call up, at the appropriate time, this resolution and ask my colleagues to stand for the broader proposition that our justice system in this country is not perfect, and it is never going to be, but because it is not perfect and because we are not perfect, we have an appellate process that provides some kind of a check against mistakes, and that is something to celebrate, not to eliminate. And that is the purpose for the bill that I will bring before the body following Senator Padilla's comments. With that, I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Illinois.
Immigration
Pages S2806–S2807 · Official textMr. President, I am honored to rise in concert with my friend and colleague from Virginia Senator Kaine for this measure that is going to be pending on the floor.
I rise in support of S.J. Res. 190 to disapprove of an interim final rule entitled "Appellate Procedures for the Board of Immigration Appeals," a regulation from the Justice Department that would greatly limit opportunities for appeal in immigration courts.
This rule would reduce the time to file an appeal from 30 days to just 10 days, and if an applicant manages to meet this unreasonable deadline, the appeal is still likely to be thrown out under this regulation. That is because the regulation requires that appeals be summarily dismissed unless a majority of the Board of Immigration Appeals agrees to take on the case.
This new regulation is just the latest in a series of actions by the Trump administration to end judicial independence in our immigration court system.
Last year, the Trump administration fired hundreds of immigration judges. There is a huge, multithousand backlog that needs to be decided by our immigration courts. The response by the Trump administration: eliminate immigration judges.
Make sense? Of course not.
One of those who was eliminated was Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jennifer Peyton. She worked for nearly 10 years at the Chicago Immigration Court, through Democratic and Republican administrations.
What was the cause for the dismissal of this woman who had spent almost 10 years before the court? I can tell you because I witnessed it personally. Do you know what she did? Do you know what she had the nerve to do?
When I called the immigration court and said: Can I sit in the audience and listen to an immigration hearing, she said: I will meet you at the front door and escort you to the courtroom. She met me, introduced herself, took me to the courtroom, and left. I didn't see her again that day.
That was grounds for dismissal by the Trump administration. The fact that she would communicate with a Member of Congress, actually shake hands with a Member of Congress, actually escort a Member of Congress into her courtroom into what was supposed to be a public setting: grounds for dismissal. Gone. The end of a career.
Why would the Trump administration want to fire an experienced, nonpolitical judge like Judge Peyton? Well, I explained it to you. She was dismissed and fired without any stated cause whatsoever.
The administration has taken the same approach with the Board of Immigration Appeals, firing 13 judges appointed during the Biden administration and decreasing the number of Board judges from 28 to 15.
These firings paved the way for the administration to hire what they are calling "deportation judges." The name says it all. These changes are not about efficiency; they are about finality, the end of the road for people who have been following the law every step of the way. They are finished. They are about dismantling due process and destroying any means by which an immigrant might have a fair chance at making their case.
Make no mistake, this policy has Steve Miller written all over it. He may be the President's closest adviser, but I will also tell you he is relentless in his war against immigrants. Whether they are here legally or illegally makes no difference to him. He wants them gone.
Just take the Board of Immigration Appeals' recent decision in "Matter of Santiago." It confirmed what we already knew: Even though DACA is supposed to protect Dreamers from immigration enforcement, this administration wants to find a way to deport Dreamers.
Well, of course, they are going after the worst of the worst: the rapists, the murderers, the terrorists, the criminally insane, the child predators. They snuck across the border, and now they have to go.
But wait a minute; that is not DACA. DACA is about kids, children, infants brought to the United States, living their whole life in the United States, who go through a background check, which includes serious efforts to determine whether there is any criminal activity in their background. Then they pay a $600 filing fee. Then they are protected for 2 years to work in the United States without fear of deportation.
Does that sound like the worst of the worst criminals?
They are teachers. They are nurses. They are doctors. They are police. They are members of our military. But they have to be gone in the world of Steve Miller. They might have an accent or something or maybe look like they are Hispanic, which tends to be, for Mr. Miller, just enough to deport them. And that is what we are up against.
This decision paved the way for immigration judges to issue deportation orders to DACA recipients who grew up in this country and are legally protected from deportation. But even that is not enough for the Trump administration.
I urge my colleagues to reject the attempt to cut due process in our immigration court system and vote in support of this resolution.
How many times have I heard my Republican colleagues say: Oh, well, I am not against immigration; I am just against illegal immigration.
Really? If you eliminate the legal process where an individual who is seeking status in America can assert their rights under the law, it seems to me you have already prejudged the case.
I am happy to join with Senator Kaine in supporting this measure on the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Virginia.
Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the Rule Submitted by the Executive Office for Immigration Review Relating to "Appellate Procedures For...
Page S2807 · Official textPROVIDING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL UNDER CHAPTER 8 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, OF THE RULE SUBMITTED BY THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW RELATING TO "APPELLATE PROCEDURES FOR THE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS"--Motion to Proceed
Mr. President, I appreciate my colleague from Illinois so much, who has been such a great champion on these issues, and I now move to proceed to Calendar item No. 425, S.J. Res. 190.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (283 characters)
Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 425, S.J. Res. 190, providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Executive Office for Immigration Review relating to "Appellate Procedures for the Board of Immigration Appeals".
Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The question is on agreeing to the motion to proceed.
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk called the roll.
The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).
I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.
The result was announced--yeas 46, nays 48, as follows:
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Alsobrooks Baldwin Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Cantwell Collins Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden
Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young
Bennet
Booker
Hawley
Lummis
McConnell
Sanders
The motion was rejected.
The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Armstrong). The Democratic leader.
Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Padilla and I be permitted to speak prior to the scheduled recess.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 4791
Pages S2807–S2809 · Official textMr. President, we are going to speak on eliminating Trump's slush fund.
Now, the only way--the only way--to ensure Trump's $2 billion taxpayer-funded MAGA slush fund and his family's sweetheart tax fraud deal with the IRS--the only way we are going to ensure that they never see the light of day is to ban them permanently by law. Republicans need to stop playing dumb and realize Trump has absolutely zero intention to table his slush fund.
Just listen to him. Just this month, Trump said:
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Personally, I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans.
"So do many other Republicans."
I repeat. Trump said:
Text printed in the Record (81 characters)
I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans.
I invite Republicans to prove Trump wrong, support this bill, outlaw this corruption, say it is a terrible idea on the floor so that we can eliminate it permanently, once and for all.
Republicans have passed up opportunity after opportunity to ban these corrupt cash handouts for Trump, his billionaire friends, and his cop-beating January 6 insurrectionists.
That is what he wants to do, Americans. Instead of using money to reduce your healthcare costs, instead of using money to reduce your electric costs, your housing costs, your food costs, he wants to give it to his corrupt friends and probably, somehow, to himself.
Will Republicans listen to the empty promises of Trump's personal fixer, Todd Blanche, or to the outraged cries of the American people, who despise--despise--this corruption?
Will Republicans help Trump and family cheat on their taxes or will they stand up for American taxpayers?
Will Republicans funnel billions of dollars to Trump, MAGA billionaires, cop beaters, convicted criminals; or will they work with Democrats to lower costs for working families?
That is the question before us today, plain and simple. Trump's slush fund, his permission slip for tax fraud, and his nonstop grifting are a running tally of corruption's cost and proof that Trump hasn't drained the swamp; he has just slapped a pool liner on it. In short, Trump isn't draining the swamp. He is swimming in it, and he likes it.
So, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 4791, submitted earlier today. Further, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read three times and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there an objection?
The Senator from Tennessee.
Yes, there is, Mr. President.
Reserving the right to object, the President made clear that he would not seek any compensation from the anti-weaponization fund, and, for my own part, I have made it clear that I won't seek any compensation from the anti-weaponization fund.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, under oath, has said:
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We are not moving forward with the fund, period.
Why is that not enough for my colleagues from across the aisle? Because they have a deeper and much darker motive. They want to erase the Biden Justice Department's unprecedented weaponization by abolishing every means of holding it accountable. I am not going to stand for it.
Has there ever been a more systematic effort to surveil and oppress the political operation of a sitting President's opponents than under Joe Biden?
We all know the answer. In fact, my esteemed colleague from Iowa Chairman Grassley has called it "arguably worse than Watergate."
The Biden DOJ's Arctic Frost Operation involved a taxpayer-funded army of lawyers obtaining financial information on over 400 individuals and groups that happened to support President Trump in the 2020 election.
Yet, despite serious internal concerns and objections that were raised within the DOJ that this wasn't a proper basis for a search, President Trump's home was raided, at Mar-a-Lago, in a made-for-TV operation.
This witch hunt extended even to the halls of the U.S. Senate. By now, everyone is familiar with how the Biden DOJ subpoenaed the records of eight Republican Senators--myself included--specifically because of conversations that we had in anticipation of a vote that was coming up on this matter.
That is a serious affront to congressional privileges, and it was a clear violation of the Constitution's speech or debate clause.
Did the Constitution matter to the Biden DOJ or to their allies at Verizon? It seems not. The Biden DOJ and Verizon violated the constitutional rights of numerous Republican Senators.
Several of my staff were among those with the temerity to serve in the Trump administration. Without any reason to think they were involved in any wrongdoing, members of my staff were subpoenaed, they were forced to hire counsel, and they were subjected to depositions. The costs can be ruinous.
As my staff was tortured, I saw firsthand how the process was the punishment. Think about it. If you could ruin someone's financial future, there is no need to prove them guilty. If you can set an example that working in a Republican administration will get you put on a "do not hire" list by left-leaning law firms or make you the target of taxpayer-funded investigations by a Democrat-controlled and weaponized DOJ, then you achieve another chilling objective--that is suppression.
Democrats in the last administration weren't satisfied with targeting Republican officials and staffers; they went even further. To take just one example, the DOJ under President Biden brought its enormous power to bear on the groups it hates the most. In my home State, that was pro-life demonstrators. Yes, that is right. When violent crime had skyrocketed in American cities across the Nation, the Biden DOJ devoted precious resources to criminally prosecuting peaceful pro-life demonstrators in my home State of Nashville, TN. They were letting go criminal illegal aliens, who would strike again, just so they could prosecute those whose politics they disagreed with. What a disgrace.
My colleagues across the aisle are simply trying to cover up and sweep under the rug the fact that the Department of Justice under President Biden became a tool to destroy his political opponents.
Just so there is no mistake, this is far from the first political controversy involving the DOJ's settlement authority. I won't recount all of the instances in which the Biden or Obama administration used DOJ settlement funds to funnel billions of dollars to their pet projects. Needless to say, my Democrat colleagues apparently saw no problem with that. Indeed, not a single Democrat ever cosponsored the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act in the 114th Congress, in the 115th Congress, nor in the 117th or the 118th Congress. Yet now, when any victim of the Biden DOJ's weaponization might actually receive some recompense--well, now, they have found religion. And even that is an overstatement.
Today's bill is different in the worst way from Republicans' previous efforts to constrain the DOJ's settlement authority. This proposal by the minority leader isn't an evenhanded proposal that would constrain Presidents of both parties moving forward; it would solely invalidate a single settlement agreement involving specific parties. This treads dangerously close to the Constitution's prohibitions against ex post facto laws and retroactive legislation, and I have serious concerns that it violates the Fifth Amendment's due process clause.
I can't stand for this unconstitutional, hypocritical bill; therefore, I object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The objection is heard.
The Democratic leader.
My colleague from Tennessee talked about things being swept under the rug. Nothing--nothing--sweeps under the rug this statement of Donald Trump's:
Text printed in the Record (93 characters)
Personally, I think the weaponization fund is a great idea, and so do many other Republicans.
He is going to do it unless we stop it. The objection is so unfortunate. It allows Trump to continue with his slush fund.
I yield the floor to my colleague from California.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from California.
Mr. President, this past January 6, I introduced a bill we titled the "No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act" because, as we knew, as we saw just last year, one of the very first things Donald Trump did when he came back into office was to issue pardons for every person convicted of crimes connected to the January 6 insurrection--people convicted in a court of law by a jury of their peers for trying to not just subvert an election and the peaceful transfer of power but by assaulting Congress itself, assaulting Capitol Police officers, threatening to hang the then-Vice President of the United States.
But we know that abuse of power, these pardons, were just the beginning. Since then, there has been an active campaign to raid taxpayer funds to reward those who stormed and ransacked the Capitol. So I for one was not surprised when Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced a corrupt settlement to create a $1.8 billion slush fund for Donald Trump to reward the perpetrators of the January 6 attacks. And I hope you all noticed--because it doesn't happen very often--that the outrage, the pushback on this fund was bipartisan. Many in Congress on both sides of the aisle viewed it as an unacceptable abuse of power. As a result, Mr. Blanche has testified to Congress that the fund is "dead." But in the court proceedings, he, the Department, and the President refused to put it in writing. No one has been willing to confirm under penalty of perjury that the fund will never go forward. Why? What are they holding back on?
Now making matters worse, the President is still using this corrupt settlement to shield himself and his family business from review by the IRS permanently. That is right. The President of the United States sued his own government, led by an Attorney General who happened to be his personal lawyer, and they reached a settlement to bar the IRS from ever reviewing his tax returns--not just for himself; for his family, for his trusts, and his affiliated companies.
So it is obvious to the American people that Congress needs to act to rein in this corrupt behavior.
I should underscore a point here because on the one hand, there have been these measures to block the creation of the fund. There are other ways for payments to go out from the Department of Justice. So it is not just the creation of the fund that needs to be blocked; payment to those convicted of violence on January 6 needs to be explicitly clear.
Now, I am a little surprised but not shocked at what I have seen in the last couple of weeks because now we see Republicans reverse quickly. Just a couple weeks ago, many of them were very concerned about this proposal. Yet, simultaneously, they would come to the floor to block my bill to prohibit the payouts to January 6 insurrectionists. Now, today, they have objected to Senator Schumer's bill to fix this once again.
So let me be clear: This fight is not over. The American people cannot and will not bear the cost of corruption that this administration has created.
While the slush fund is apparently dead for now, we have our eye on the many financial claims that were filed by January 6 insurrectionists that are still pending at the Department of Justice given other programs and pots of funding, which is why, colleagues, unless we pass my legislation, there is nothing to stop the DOJ from handing hard-working American taxpayer money out the door to January 6 rioters. And until we pass Senator Schumer's legislation, President Trump will continue to seek lifetime immunity from tax audits.
If our Republican colleagues will not join Democrats to address this, I guarantee you the American people will.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Tennessee.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak before the previously scheduled recess.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. President, I find it quite interesting that my Democratic colleagues are now seeking to somehow block some of the funds of the Department of Justice when they would never do this before. I mentioned earlier that Republicans put forward the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act. In four previous Congresses, not a single Democrat was willing to join; not a single Democrat was willing to help us rein in the Department of Justice. Yet, when we find abject weaponization of the Department of Justice, when we have my own staff--and I would ask any of the staff in this room to think about it, put themselves in their shoes. If you happen to work in the White House under a Republican administration, then you can find yourself, under a weaponized DOJ, subject to subpoena, subject to depositions, and your parents are putting $200,000, $300,000, $400,000 of their life savings at stake to protect and defend their children. This is exactly the conversation I had with my staff and their parents. It is heartbreaking. It needs to stop, and there needs to be accountability so this never happens again.
I am not about to stand here and just sweep this under the rug and act like the weaponization of the Biden DOJ never happened. Not in history has anything happened like this before, where a sitting President goes after his opponent and all of his opponent's allies--subpoenaing U.S. Senators' phone records, like they did mine; having a corrupt operation with--it appears Verizon and the DOJ colluded. Maybe Verizon had a particular transaction like the Frontier acquisition that they wanted to curry favor with DOJ to achieve and therefore just violated the Constitution and handed my records over, along with other U.S. Senators'.
This should not be allowed to happen. We can't, as Americans, act like it never did, and to accept Senator Schumer and my colleague Senator Padilla's recommendation would somehow give credence that nothing ever did happen. Indeed, the worst weaponization of government that we have ever seen in our lifetime did happen under the Biden administration.
I will not stand for it.
Recess
Page S2809 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the Senate stands in recess until 2:15 p.m.
Thereupon, the Senate, at 12:57 p.m., recessed until 2:15 p.m., and reassembled when called to order by the Presiding Officer (Mrs. Britt).
MORNING BUSINESS--Continued
Page S2809 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Wisconsin.
War Powers Resolution
Page S2809 · Official textMadam President, today I rise in support of ending Donald Trump's illegal war in Iran.
Over the weekend, President Trump told the American people this conflict is over. He said that Iran had agreed to a deal.
So why take this vote today? Well, I have heard that one before from this President. From trade to peace negotiations, President Trump often claims victory without any work to show for it.
The truth is, President Trump has not reached a deal with Iran. There is no agreement to end their nuclear program, no assurances that the war won't continue, and no evidence that Americans are better off today than they were before this all started. In fact, we are told--all just by press reports--that he has merely reached an agreement to keep talking about a deal over the next 60 days. But we have zero details and are told to just take the President's word for it.
President Trump started this war over 100 days ago without signoff from Congress, the people's branch. He cost 13 servicemembers their lives, spent more than $30 billion in taxpayer money, and jacked up energy costs for American families by $450, on average. President Trump has asked working families to foot the bill for a war that they did not choose and do not like, and now he is claiming victory without a permanent solution in hand. At an immense cost to the American people, we are in a worse position than when President Trump started this war. That is why Donald Trump's wink-and-nod promise is simply not enough. My constituents want a guarantee that this expensive and unnecessary war is over once and for all.
Diplomacy has always been the path forward. Passing this resolution would finally force President Trump to follow the law, listen to the American people, and end the war that no one likes.
I urge my colleagues to listen to your constituents and end this war.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from California.
War Powers Resolution
Pages S2809–S2810 · Official textMadam President, 3 weeks ago, this body voted to have a debate over the President's war in Iran; more specifically, whether the United States Congress should exercise its constitutional authority to declare war or to bring this conflict to an end. Since that time, the administration has announced that it has reached a deal with Iran to reopen the strait with an agreement to reach an agreement later over Iran's nuclear weapons. The President has made it clear that should Iran not agree to a deal over its nuclear program within 60 days, he will resume bombing.
I sincerely hope that this is the beginning of the end of the war and that our servicemembers will soon be coming home, but a still-secret agreement that postpones the difficult questions for 2 more months is little assurance when the President has so often during this conflict promised far more than he has delivered.
From the beginning, the President assured the country that the war would be "short" and it would be over "very soon." Just weeks after the conflict began, around 100 days ago, the President said that U.S. forces would be leaving "in the near future." He said talks were going very well and "very, very soon" the conflict would be over. "I think we won," he said.
That was on the last day of winter. This weekend will mark the first day of summer. This entire spring, the American public have stepped into the shoes of Charlie Brown, constantly being told that the football will not move, that the end is near, only to have peace snatched away time and time again.
And so, in this moment, Congress cannot accept a vague promise of a future end to the war as a substitute for the very definite terms of the War Powers Act. The President should come to Congress for our authorization to keep troops deployed to the war zone or bring them home. Those are the only two choices the law provides.
After all, this war began without the administration making the case to Congress or the American people. There was no attack on the United States by Iran, nor was there any imminent threat. This was a war of choice, and it was chosen by the President.
In the months since, the administration's rationale for the war has shifted many times over time, with the President and his Cabinet alternately claiming an imminent threat from Iran's nuclear program, which they also claimed to have been obliterated by an attack by the United States 9 months earlier; claiming an imminent threat of a missile attack by Iran on our homeland, which the United States intelligence community concluded was, in fact, 9 years away; claiming this was the best opportunity for the Iranian people to rise up against the regime, then saying they would get mowed down if they did, with more vacillating, inconsistent, and implausible justifications for the war given every week.
And now we have little more than a deal to make a deal. Initially, the agreement seeks to rebuild the status quo that this war shattered by reopening the strait. But even this preliminary agreement is contested, with the President saying Iran won't charge any tolls, but with Iran saying it may charge "fees" for the crossing.
And the future deal on nuclear weapons, although still very much a work in progress, appears little different than the agreement that President Obama negotiated and Trump disavowed--although the present deal seems far better for Iran than that deal since Iran may receive 10 times the billions it did under the Obama JCPOA and also be a party to a $300 billion reconstruction fund.
Imagine that: You paid $60 billion more for gas during the war, and those billions you paid at the pump are going to go to Iran for rebuilding.
High gas prices are just one of the costs that have been borne by the American people over these 100 days. The region has been in chaos, along with global shipping. As a result, the price of Americans' grocery bills has been much higher, the cost of fertilizer for farmers much higher, and the price of energy bills much higher to heat our home in winter and to keep it cool in summer. Everything is going up, up, up--except the incomes of the American people.
And, most significantly, American servicemembers' lives have been lost. That has been the most terrible price of this war.
Americans wanted a President who would bring down their cost of living, lighten their economic load, and deliver a better future for their children, address their rising rents, their inability to afford childcare, their difficulty getting a health plan or a good education without breaking the bank, to address their anxiety when the fridge runs empty or the gas light comes on. But this President did the exact opposite.
And now we are told that Iran--not the United States taxpayers, who footed the bill for all of this--may be set to receive $24 billion in sanctions relief and another $300 billion in reconstruction reparations and investment.
This war of choice was brought to America by a President who promised no more foreign wars, no more Middle East wars, no more regime change wars; someone who said on election night to the entire world, "I'm not going to start a war; I'm going to stop wars" but now says, "I didn't guarantee no war" and that he didn't build such a powerful military for nothing.
So let's look at the record of this President who promised no more wars and that he would focus on the problems of Americans here at home: 200 people killed in boat strikes in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean Sea, with more strikes every week; an attack on Venezuela, capturing President Maduro and now leaving in power his corrupt second in command, long past the time when that country's constitution demands a new election and the country's rightful President, the winner of Venezuela's last election, is relegated to the sidelines, little more than an afterthought; and now the stationing of American military right off of Cuba, blockading that country and indicting its leaders.
The war in Iran is far from over, and the President seems to be promising another one when it is, saying, with respect to Cuba, he likes to do things one at a time.
We have in this moment an opportunity to show the President and the country that we are listening to our constituents, that we hear their concerns, that we will do our job to make their voices heard, to bring down the cost of living and address the difficulties they find in just making a go of it.
We have a responsibility to uphold what our Founding Fathers gave us: a Constitution that provided Congress with the power to make war, not the President. We can bring our troops home, and we can return our attention to our difficulties at home and rein in a President that has now become all too fond of war.
We have found a majority to carry this motion once before. We can do so again. The American people are counting on us to send this resolution to the Oval Office with bipartisan support and to end this war of choice once and for all.
Our constituents cannot afford to risk another 100 days of war, and--if we are to be more than a constitutional appendage--neither can we.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Virginia.
War Powers Resolution
Pages S2810–S2811 · Official textMadam President, I rise to speak, along with my colleagues, on the War Powers Resolution, followed by Senator Warnock, that will be called up soon.
I have spoken on this topic often, about once a week, since the war against Iran began at the end of February, sometimes speaking on behalf of my own resolutions and sometimes speaking on behalf of the resolutions of colleagues. I am very happy that Senator Warnock's resolution will be called up today. I believe he will be the last speaker before we begin voting.
And you have heard from other colleagues. I won't belabor a point that I have made often on the floor, but I do want to talk about this particular moment in time.
I do believe this war is illegal because it has not been authorized by Congress. I believe the war is unwise because we had a diplomatic deal that was controlling Iran's nuclear program that President Trump tore up. And thus, this is a war that was not necessary if the United States had done what we normally do and preferred diplomacy to war.
I believe these 14 troops would not have been killed. I believe we wouldn't have spent tens of billions of dollars pursuing an unnecessary war with an additional pricetag of probably hundreds of billions of dollars to replenish our munitions stock and repair infrastructure that has been damaged.
And I also believe that Americans would not have had to pay more than $50 billion extra at the gas pump since the war began on February 28. Those are arguments I have made often on the floor that I don't intend to repeat today.
But the argument that I want to make today is about why this timing for the War Powers Resolution is sort of propitious, why this timing makes this vote different than the vote that we had 2 weeks or 4 weeks ago or 8 weeks ago.
We are in day 100-plus of this war, but I am happy that President Trump has announced a cease-fire and a potential deal to be signed and revealed on Friday. Now, I don't know exactly what is in the deal, but I believe an off-ramp to a war that never should have been started is a good thing.
We will have the opportunity to debate the deal once we know more details about it, but taking an off-ramp to a war that should never have been started is a positive.
What this off-ramp means is, I would say, we are in an intermission. We don't exactly know what the second act will be. We don't know if the intermission will hold. We don't know if the parties will comply with their obligations.
We are hearing that the deal may well be a partial deal that would, for example, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the blockade on Iranian ports and stop the back-and-forth bombardment between the United States and Iran and other actors in the region.
But we are also being told there will be some components to the deal that will not be done, and then we will enter into a longer term discussion, for example, about all of the important details regarding Iran's nuclear program.
So let's just say we are in an intermission, and we don't know how long the intermission will be. I think the fact that we are in an intermission is the perfect time to vote for a War Powers Resolution, specifying, we should not restart a war against Iran without the consultation with Congress that should have started before the war was begun.
Why restart a war and risk more lives of our kids? Why restart a war and risk more damage to American families and their pocketbooks? Why restart a war and risk more damage to the global economy? Why restart a war and risk more dollars coming out of the U.S. Treasury that will have to be paid by the U.S. taxpayers?
An intermission is a great time to do what we should have done before this war, which is have the consultation with Congress that the Constitution requires. Why restart a war if we haven't done our job?
There is also a second reason that is really related to the first reason that makes this a particularly propitious time to vote yes on Senator Warnock's resolution. We know that the United States and Iran are engaged in a negotiation, and they are trading proposals back and forth.
I would think that my colleagues in the Senate would want to see and understand the details of those proposals and reach their own conclusion about whether a deal is a good deal or a bad deal.
If President Trump reaches an agreement with Iran that touches upon any aspect of the Iranian nuclear program, the President is obligated to submit that to Congress under a bill that I offered many years ago, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, and Congress would have a chance to look at any deal dealing with Iran's nuclear program in deciding whether it was a good deal or a bad deal.
But what if President Trump decides: I am not entering into a deal because I think it is a bad deal, and we need to go back to war? Should we allow President Trump the unilateral ability to make a decision that a deal is a bad deal, and we need to go back to war?
Under the INARA act, the President has to submit any proposed deal to Congress, but he doesn't have to submit his refusal to enter into a deal to Congress. We might have our own judgment about whether a deal was good enough or insufficient.
I mean, I could foresee a circumstance where President Trump might say: We have had this negotiation. Iran has not made enough commitments. So we are not going to agree, and we are going to end the intermission and go back to war.
But the Senate might have a different opinion. We might look at a deal that the President doesn't find sufficient and say: It is not perfect. We wish it were better. But it is far superior to going back to war and risking the lives of more of our troops or spending tens of billions of dollars.
And the only way that we can guarantee that we would have an opportunity to weigh in on whether a deal--hey, it, actually, though not perfect, is better than going back to war--is if we pass a resolution, saying: You cannot restart this war without getting congressional approval.
I have listened very carefully to my colleagues who have been voting against the War Powers Resolutions. They have all kinds of reasons. I don't question their reasons.
Some believe, for example, that the President has unilateral ability to wage military action for about 60 days pursuant to the War Powers Act. And so, some were voting against War Powers Resolutions during the first 60 days. But I think at least four have joined and now decided to vote for War Powers Resolutions since day 60 passed.
But I have also heard some colleagues say, sincerely: I don't want to vote for a War Powers Resolution while the United States is engaged in military action against Iran because it might be sending a message to troops that they are not being supported. And even though they are troubled by the war and even though they are troubled about being after day 60, they don't want to send a message that would undercut U.S. troops that are engaged in military action at the very moment.
OK. If that is the case--and I understand that argument, I understand it--then this would be a time when we are in the intermission where you could vote for a War Powers Resolution without undercutting any action that is currently underway involving U.S. troops.
So my hope is that my colleagues will take advantage of the fact that we are in this intermission, an intermission of undetermined length, to do what the Constitution demands that we do and insist that we not restart a damaging war against Iran without Congress weighing in and voting on it.
For that reason, I will support Senator Warnock's resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Idaho.
War Powers Resolution
Page S2811 · Official textMadam President, I am going to be very brief on this as I have given this speech I can't remember how many times before as the other side has attempted to help Iran and bring these resolutions forth that would stop the President from pushing back against Iran and the terrible things that they have done.
Specifically, on this one, like the others, this is what they are asking Congress to vote for. The operative language says:
Text printed in the Record (123 characters)
[C]ongress hereby directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against [Iran].
Well, there are a number of problems with this. First of all, the United States Armed Forces are not engaged in hostilities within or against Iran. They have been, but it has been over for some time. So there is not--it directs the President to do nothing in that respect because it is impossible to do something that is not going on--stop something that isn't going on.
But more importantly, I think, as we go forward with this, it is widely reported that an agreement has been reached between Iran and the administration, which is going to be signed here in the next few days.
If a miracle happened--a miracle happened--and this passed, got through the Senate, got through the House, and the President signed it, if that miracle happened, do you think Iran would sign the deal that has been negotiated? Of course not.
So, once again, what do we have? Nobody on this planet wanting to help Iran except for the 47 people on this side of the aisle. China is not helping. Russia is not helping. North Korea is not helping. Cuba is not helping. Venezuela is not helping. None of the autocracies, bad countries on this planet are helping. But you have 47 people here who are trying to help the Iranians.
So I was mistaken. When the war started, I came out on this floor, and I said in closing: Iran, nobody is coming to help you.
I was wrong. One entity is coming to help, and it is these 47 people over here. But the good news is, this is not going to pass. It is not well-taken. It is something that can't possibly happen because it is not going on. If it did happen, it would give tremendous aid and comfort to our enemy.
I would sincerely urge all Members of this body to vote no.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Georgia.
DIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITHIN OR AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS--Motion to Discharge
Pages S2811–S2813 · Official textDIRECTING THE REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITHIN OR AGAINST THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS--Motion to Discharge
Madam President, I rise today to ask a simple question. After 109 days of a failed war and now a fragile, temporary--but welcome--truce, will my Republican colleagues choose today to finally stand up to this President? Will my colleagues say "enough is enough" to the President who ran as a candidate promising no new wars?
After 109 days of contradictory messaging, rampant and rank corruption, with people literally cashing in on news about this war and devastating news stories from the Middle East, will this be the vote when my colleagues finally stand up for their constituents, rather than simply standing up for Donald Trump?
Here we are: Tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions, of American taxpayer dollars spent; gas prices are well over $4 a gallon; hard-working American families crushed under tens of billions of dollars in soaring energy prices and inflation driven by this unnecessary war; and the ultimate price--the ultimate price--13 servicemembers tragically killed.
The question is, Where did all of that land us? What did it accomplish? And it appears that we are basically back at the status quo, at best.
Let me start by saying that I am very proud of our military. That is not the question here. We have the most powerful, the most effective military force in human history.
The problem is that the President has decided to use that military force and significantly deplete our defense arsenal for his own pet projects. He decided to launch an attack on Iran to decapitate the brutal leadership of an awful regime, but he had no plans for what he would do the next day--the next day.
And so, today, the regime is still in place, with younger and potentially more hard-lined and radical leadership.
So even now, with the war hopefully coming to an end, I still don't understand why we were in this war in the first place.
It appears that the only thing this war has done is put servicemembers' lives at risk, Americans in the region at risk. It has undermined our global standing and put millions of civilians in harm's way.
And so we pray for the families of the brave Americans who have already paid the ultimate sacrifice, our servicemembers who are the best among us and who go no matter who the President is or what their politics are. They were simply following orders. Our servicemembers embody courage and patriotism. They put it on the line for us, and I submit that they deserve better than this.
We have learned, due in part to recent history, that it is easier to get into a war than it is to get out. The President said on multiple occasions: "It will all work out well in the end. It always does."
Maybe it always does for him, but we are sending brave American servicemembers into battle, and they return with visible and invisible wounds of war.
This is something not to be handled in a cavalier manner. It is the most sacred responsibility of an American President.
And so I promised my people of Georgia that I would walk with them even as I worked for them. I have listened to agonizing stories of war from veterans whose lives will never be the same. I have stood at Dover Air Force Base to receive the bodies of Georgia's heroes. I have looked into the grief-stricken eyes of their family members as they greeted a flag-draped coffin wrapped in unbearable grief. It is gut-wrenching, and it is something that I think about whenever we consider the consequences of sending our servicemembers into harm's way.
The question is, Did the President think about it? Did he think about those families, even as he said, "It will all just work out. . . . It always does"?
I am hopeful that this war may come to an end beginning this week. But let's be clear: This temporary truce agreement with Iran brings us back to the status quo, at best.
Let's not forget that the President of the United States, in deciding to launch this war, created a situation in which we lost our servicemembers.
We continue to grieve the dozens of fathers in Iran who will be without their school-aged daughters on Father's Day, as an elementary school in Minab was attacked on the first day--or a bomb was dropped on that school the first day--a horrific mistake with huge human consequences. And this was on day one of the war--young children who didn't get a chance to grow up, hundreds of dreams that will never be realized.
Those Iranian babies are human beings. They too are children of God. And so this kind of consequential action requires much more thought, a much more serious-minded administration than what we have seen over the last year and a half.
And so I hope that we are seeing the beginning of the end of this war. But we paid a huge cost, and I am not so sure what we are getting for that.
But the question before this body is, Will this President do this again? I think the answer is yes. He will continue to choose bombs over diplomacy because he is a failed warmonger, and that is why I am urging my colleagues to speak up in this moral moment and send a message that the President should not feel that he can easily and so cavalierly use American might while Congress stands idly by.
The time is always right to do what is right.
I urge my colleagues to do what your constituents are begging you to do and join me in putting a check on this President's lawless warmongering--warmongering that has upended the global economy and sent gas prices soaring.
The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Iran perhaps seems even more emboldened to try it again. And what is the plan to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon with Iran going into this truce with all of its enriched uranium?
We had a deal. Donald Trump chose war over diplomacy.
Hopefully, this Congress will stand up and do its job. The time is always right to do what is right. That time is now.
Pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1546a and in accordance with section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act, I move to discharge the Committee on Foreign Relations from further consideration of S.J. Res. 172.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (253 characters)
Motion to discharge from the Committee on Foreign Relations, S.J. Res. 172, a joint resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
I know of no further debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The question is on agreeing to the motion.
I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).
I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.
The result was announced--yeas 47, nays 48, as follows:
Text printed in the Record (874 characters)
Alsobrooks Baldwin Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Cantwell Cassidy Collins Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Paul Peters Reed Rosen Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden
Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fetterman Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy
Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young
Bennet
Booker
Hawley
McConnell
Sanders The motion was rejected. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Banks). The Senator from Florida.
Condemning the Dictator of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, for Deceit, Undermining Prospects for Peace and Security, and Orchestrating Crimes Against Humanity
Page S2813 · Official textMr. President, I rise today and ask the Senate to pass my resolution, S. Res. 444, a resolution condemning the dictator and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping.
There is no greater threat to America's way of life and peace and prosperity in the world than Xi Jinping and the CCP. Xi Jinping hates us. Communist China wants to destroy us. He is not a partner. He is not a competitor. He is a brutal dictator leading a criminal organization that lies, cheats, steals, exploits slave labor, and commits genocide and crimes against humanity on an industrial scale.
Don't take my word for it. Let's look at what he has done. He and his Communist Party lied about the origins of COVID, and they keep lying about it. They used the World Health Organization to spread lies while over a million Americans died. And their incompetent and malicious response to COVID isn't the only way communist China killed Americans.
Their unwillingness for years to completely curb the export of fentanyl precursors is directly responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of our fellow citizens.
Where communist China hasn't killed, it cheated. For decades, they have cheated on trade, causing millions of Americans to lose their jobs.
Communist China's currency manipulation continues to threaten our economy and destabilize the world global order, as well as their hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of intellectual property theft.
They don't treat other countries any better. In one egregious case last year, in the African nation of Zambia, communist China dumped toxic waste into Zambia's main river, poisoning the drinking water of 5 million innocent people. It also destroyed the livelihoods of up to 12 million people. It was intentional. They knew what would happen, and they did it anyway because they don't care.
I have not seen a peep of outrage from the international community. Rather than help, communist China coerced the Zambians into signing nondisclosure agreements, offering them next to nothing in cash in exchange for never talking about it.
That story of how communist China literally destroyed an entire country overnight should tell everyone exactly who we are dealing with. As the Zambian Government hopefully learned, with friends like communist China, who needs enemies.
It is clear that Beijing doesn't care about the damage they inflict on others, and, of course, we know that Xi Jinping and his goons couldn't care less about their own people either. In Xinjiang, Xi's communist China is committing a horrific genocide against the Uighur people, putting over a million innocent Uighurs in camps and forcing women to share beds with Han Chinese men sent by the state.
They harvest organs from political dissidents, including the Falun Gong. And in one case mentioned in the State Department's 2022 Country Report on Tibet, the CCP literally beat a Tibetan man to death for the crime of delivering food to a home for the elderly.
Communist China apparently saw a basic act of charity as an attack on the state's inability to take care of its own people, a task they repeatedly fail at. But Xi isn't above physically attacking and beating his own people. Just look at what happened in Hong Kong in the summer of 2020.
Six years later, they continue to unjustly imprison my friend Jimmy Lai. We will never stop fighting for his release.
The CCP doesn't care about cooperation or respect. They constantly attack anyone they don't agree with, including our allies in the Philippines and Taiwan.
They fly thousands of their military jets in Taiwan's airspace, utilize slave labor in their distant water fleet, and prop up terrorists and dictators from North Korea to Iran, to the Taliban.
The CCP, especially under Xi Jinping's tyranny, has a particular brand of evil. They seek to control the world, and in their mind that means destroying anyone who stands in their way, whether it is their own people or not.
We cannot be afraid to stand up to our enemies and hold the line for the next generation of Americans. The numerous policy mistakes we made in the last few decades, including the idea that if only every Chinese citizen could get an F-150 and a Coke, they would eventually abandon their communist system and become more like us.
Instead, the opposite has happened, where we have literally subsidized the CCP's military modernization, economic development, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
Despite everything Communist China has done to our Nation and to the world, we continue to invest over a trillion dollars into Chinese companies listed on our exchanges, to include newly designated Chinese military companies like Alibaba.
I hope that no one who cares about human rights and confronting our Nation's foremost enemy would prevent this resolution's passage. We cannot afford to abandon our responsibility to our people and to the world to denounce the evil agenda of the Chinese Communist Party. I hope my colleagues will join me in that effort.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Foreign Relations Committee be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 444.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (198 characters)
A resolution (S. Res. 444) condemning the dictator of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, for deceit, undermining prospects for peace and security, and orchestrating crimes against humanity.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.
I know of no further debate on the resolution.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there further debate?
Hearing no further debate, the question is on adoption of the resolution.
The resolution (S. Res. 444) was agreed to.
I ask unanimous consent that the preamble be agreed to and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of October 9, 2025, under "Submitted Resolutions.")
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Massachusetts.
21st Century Road to Housing Act
Pages S2813–S2814 · Official textMr. President, America is in a full-blown housing crisis. Across this country, home prices are sky high, rent is through the roof, and the median age of a first-time home buyer is now at an alltime high. But for too long, the Federal Government has been asleep at the switch, and that changes today.
I stand here in support of the historic 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This landmark bill will boost housing supply, bring down costs, and, for the first time ever, stop private equity from buying up single-family homes.
Yes, we are about to do it--pass the biggest housing bill in more than 30 years.
This bill has more than 45 total housing provisions designed to help increase housing supply and bring down costs. Here are just a few of the things that this housing bill will do.
It removes regulatory barriers and streamlines environmental reviews to speed up affordable housing development and to speed up the construction process.
It rewards communities that build more housing, and it prods those that are not building to step up and build more.
It makes it easier and cheaper to build new manufactured housing by removing outdated chassis requirements, and it brings down the cost of the new unit by up to $10,000.
It creates an innovation fund, something I have been proposing for years, to help reward communities that are successfully building more housing with new funds for community infrastructure or to build even more housing.
It will make long-needed improvements to rural housing programs to preserve affordable housing for 400,000 rural families.
It strengthens the Community Development Block Grant--CDBG--and the HOME Programs to get more affordable housing built. It finally authorizes the CDBG Disaster Recovery Program to get money out to disaster-stricken communities faster. It offers new and streamlined funding opportunities for cities and towns to bolster local infrastructure and to convert abandoned buildings into new housing, for homeowners and landlords to make structural home repairs, and for homebuilders to finance new manufactured and modular housing.
There is so much more. This bill supports more housing opportunities for veterans, it takes action to reduce homelessness, and it helps end appraisal bias.
Finally, for the first time ever, Congress is acting to stop private equity's housing grab. I have been calling for this for years, and even 6 months ago, nobody thought this was possible. With this bill, we will get single-family homes back into the hands of American families, not corporations. An overwhelming majority of Americans across party lines want to stop private equity from snapping up single-family homes, and this bill does exactly that.
This bill also makes sure that corporate landlords who don't follow the law pay up, and it invests any money they pay in fines to build more housing and to help first-time home buyers with direct assistance for downpayments, with closing costs, and with interest rate buydowns.
There is so much in this bill, each piece directing us toward increasing the supply of housing, bringing down the cost, and making housing something that is not just a Wall Street investment but is actually there for American families.
I want to say a very special thank-you to Senator Tim Scott for his partnership on this historic bill in leading the Senate Banking Committee.
I also want to give a very special thank-you to Ranking Member Waters and to Chairman Hill for their work over on the House side to get this bill across the finish line.
I want to say especially Maxine Waters--she has led so many of us for so many years and tried to expand housing all across America, tried to make sure housing is affordable and safe and available for every American. This bill is just a little downpayment on the promise she has offered for decades. I am grateful for her leadership and grateful for her helping get us here today.
I also want to note that every single member of the Banking Committee--Republican and Democrat--added ideas and specific provisions that made it into this bill. I thank them for their very thoughtful and creative contributions.
I also want to thank Senators who are not on the committee who also helped participate and helped us get good housing ideas into this bill, particularly Senator Merkley and Senator Klobuchar, neither of whom is on the Banking Committee, who also joined with Senator Warnock, who is on the committee, in pushing to get private equity out of the housing market. I want to say a very special thank-you to them.
I also want to thank Senator Schatz, who is not on the committee, who helped us with the disaster relief provisions.
I have one more thank you that dates back for years now, and that is a very special thank-you to State and local officials, including the mayors across Massachusetts and around the country, who helped shape this bill, who really told us about places where we could change Federal law that would make a difference for them in their local communities, in being able to bring down the cost of housing. I am grateful to them for the content they helped put into this bill, and I am grateful to them for raising their voices to help us get it passed.
So here we are in a moment when the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives may actually get something done, get it over to the President's desk. And it is something that is good for the American people.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Democratic leader.
21st Century Road to Housing Act
Pages S2814–S2815 · Official textMr. President, I have come to address our ROAD to Housing bill, which we will vote on in a few minutes.
At the top of the list, I want to thank Senator Warren for her diligence, her hard work, her intelligence, and her ability to reach out and take good ideas and synthesize them into outstanding legislation. I want to thank all of my colleagues--my Democratic colleagues in particular on the Banking Committee--who worked so hard on this bill, and there are inputs from every one of them that make housing more affordable and easier to afford for so many people across the country. I want to thank Senator Scott for cooperating, and I want to thank all of the leaderships for getting this bill to the floor.
This is such a crucial issue for Americans, and it had been forgotten and neglected for too long until our Banking Committee Dems turned their attention to it, until our caucus turned its attention to it. For too long, Americans have struggled with rising housing costs. It hurts renters and homeowners alike.
Most Americans don't know this tragic fact--that the median age for a new home buyer in America is now 40 years old--40 years old. The housing shortage is nothing less than an existential threat to the American dream. Americans feel financially stuck as renting and buying a home keep getting more and more expensive, more and more out of reach.
Lowering housing costs is absolutely essential to ending the affordability crisis plaguing working families across the country. The ROAD to Housing bill is a very important and good, strong first step to making housing more affordable. The bipartisan package includes, as I said, many bills led by Senate Democrats over the years to expand housing supply and lower costs.
The bill tackles local zoning and permitting that have kept housing supply from growing. I have long spoken out against the NIMBYism that kills so many projects in our communities that are desperately needed.
Our legislation supports new manufactured and modular housing so we can build more, faster, and it will revitalize blighted properties and convert these buildings into new housing. That includes building more housing in rural communities that need more housing than ever before. The bill also increases housing fairness and access, including addressing housing needs for veterans and reducing homelessness. Crucially, our bill will bring more certainty in our disaster response to help communities recover. This bill makes sure people are not squeezed out of the market of buying a home by institutional investors.
I want to reiterate that this isn't the end of the road--far from it; it is just the start. In future years, we need to do even more to make that dream of owning a home a reality for more and more and more Americans. We need to do so much more, and much more will be needed to address the Nation's housing cost crisis as well.
Senate Democrats will continue to make this a priority. We have wanted this to be a priority for a long time, and finally, we have taken that first step with the cooperation of our Republican colleagues. We need to make a priority downpayment assistance, reducing mortgage insurance costs, and doing even more to expand housing supply as well as to lower costs.
So congratulations once again to Senator Warren, to the many Senate Democrats who have led crucial pieces of this bill, and to the whole Chamber, Democrats and Republicans, for finally taking a much needed step in reducing costs of housing and increasing its supply.
I yield the floor.
Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
21ST CENTURY ROAD TO HOUSING ACT--Motion to Proceed
Page S2815 · Official textMr. President, I understand that the Senate has received a message from the House to accompany H.R. 6644.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator is correct.
I ask the Chair lay before the Senate the House message to accompany H.R. 6644, and I ask for the yeas and nays.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.
The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Missouri (Mr. Hawley) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).
I announce that the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet), the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker), and the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) are necessarily absent.
The result was announced--yeas 87, nays 8, as follows:
Text printed in the Record (813 characters)
Alsobrooks Baldwin Banks Barrasso Blackburn Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Boozman Britt Budd Cantwell Capito Cassidy Collins Coons Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Cramer Crapo Curtis Daines Duckworth Durbin Ernst Fetterman Fischer Gallego Gillibrand Graham Grassley Hagerty Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Justice Kaine Kelly Kennedy Kim King Klobuchar Lankford Lujan Lummis Markey Marshall McCormick Merkley Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Ricketts Risch Rosen Rounds Schatz Schiff Schmitt Schumer Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Slotkin Smith Sullivan Thune Tillis Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wicker Wyden
Armstrong Cruz Johnson Lee Paul Scott (FL) Tuberville Young
Bennet
Booker
Hawley
McConnell
Sanders The motion was agreed to.
Legislative Session
Pages S2815–S2816 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Curtis)
The Chair lays before the Senate the following message from the House.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (216 characters)
Resolved, That the House agree to the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 6644) entitled "An act to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes," with an amendment to the Senate amendment.
(Purpose: In the nature of a substitute.)
Mr. President, I move to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 6644 with a further substitute amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (151 characters)
The Senator from South Dakota [Mr. Thune] moves to concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6644, with an amendment numbered 5823.
(The amendment is printed in today's Record under "Text of Amendments.")
Mr. President, I send a cloture motion to the desk for the motion to concur with further amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (839 characters)
We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the
provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate,
do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to
concur in the House amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R.
6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America,
and for other purposes, with amendment No. 5823.
John Thune, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Katie Boyd
Britt, Pete Ricketts, John Barrasso, Bernie Moreno, Tim
Sheehy, Mike Crapo, Joni Ernst, John Cornyn, Cindy
Hyde-Smith, Jon A. Husted, Mike Rounds, John Boozman,
Jim Banks, John R. Curtis, Lindsey Graham.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on the motion to concur with further amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The yeas and nays are ordered.
Mr. President, I have an amendment at the desk to the motion to concur with further amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (100 characters)
The Senator from South Dakota [Mr. Thune] proposes an amendment numbered 5824 to amendment No. 5823.
Mr. President, I ask that the reading be dispensed with.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment is as follows:
Text printed in the Record (94 characters)
At the end add the following:
"This Act shall take effect 1 day after the date of enactment."
I move to refer the House Message on H.R. 6644 to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs with instructions to report back forthwith with an amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (184 characters)
The Senator from South Dakota [Mr. Thune] moves to refer a House message to accompany H.R. 6644 to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs with an amendment numbered 5825.
The amendment is as follows:
Text printed in the Record (95 characters)
At the end add the following:
"This Act shall take effect 4 days after the date of enactment."
Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on my motion.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The yeas and nays are ordered.
Mr. President, I have an amendment to the instructions.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (145 characters)
The Senator from South Dakota [Mr. Thune] proposes an amendment numbered 5826 to the instructions of the motion to refer with amendment No. 5825.
Mr. President, I ask that the reading be dispensed with.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The amendment is as follows:
Text printed in the Record (35 characters)
Strike "4 days" and insert "3 days"
Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays on my amendment.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there a sufficient second?
There appears to be a sufficient second.
The yeas and nays are ordered.
Mr. President, I have a second-degree amendment at the desk.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report.
The bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (100 characters)
The Senator from South Dakota [Mr. Thune] proposes an amendment numbered 5827 to amendment No. 5826.
The amendment is as follows:
Text printed in the Record (35 characters)
Strike "3 days" and insert "2 days"
Mr. President, I ask that the reading be dispensed with.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Allowing Emancipation Hall to Be Used for a Ceremony to Dedicate the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule on Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Page S2816 · Official textALLOWING EMANCIPATION HALL TO BE USED FOR A CEREMONY TO DEDICATE THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL CONGRESSIONAL TIME CAPSULE ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2026
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H. Con. Res. 109, which was received from the House.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The clerk will report the concurrent resolution by title.
The bill clerk read as follows:
Text printed in the Record (186 characters)
A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 109) allowing Emancipation Hall to be used for a ceremony to dedicate the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent resolution.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 109) was agreed to.
Morning Business
Page S2816 · Official textMr. President, I am honored to recognize Emelia Ajavon of Grantham as June's Granite Stater of the Month for creating the Chess Club 4 Kids in New Hampshire's Upper Valley.
After developing a love of mathematics and strategy at just 9 years old, Emelia attended a local chess club and discovered that there were few opportunities for kids her age to learn and play chess with their peers. Emelia, in true Granite State spirit, rolled up her sleeves and established the Chess Club 4 Kids at the Howe Library in Hanover.
Working with library staff, local schools, and community members, Emelia helped transform a simple idea into a thriving program. What began with just four participants has grown into a vibrant community that now welcomes an average 20 to 30 students each meeting and has served more than 100 families throughout the Upper Valley.
Through Chess Club 4 Kids, students from multiple communities across New Hampshire come together to learn, compete, and build friendships. By creating separate learning opportunities for beginners and more experienced players, Emelia's club ensures that every participant feels welcomed, challenged, and supported. For many students, Emelia's club has become a place not only to strengthen critical thinking and strategic skills, but also to find a sense of belonging among peers who share similar interests.
As Emelia prepares to enter high school, she is already working to pass leadership of her club to younger students so it can continue to thrive for years to come. Her commitment to ensuring the Chess Club 4 Kids endures reflects the same vision and dedication that inspired its creation. Emelia's initiative and generosity embody the very best of the New Hampshire, which is why I am proud to name her June's Granite Stater of the Month.
Measures Placed on the Calendar
Page S2816 · Official textThe following bill was read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and placed on the calendar:
Text printed in the Record (147 characters)
H.R. 5103. An act to establish a program to Beautify the District of Columbia and establish the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Commission.
Executive and Other Communications
Pages S2816–S2818 · Official textThe following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated:
Text printed in the Record (11,943 characters)
EC-3854. A communication from the Deputy General Counsel for Administration, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Commerce, transmitting, pursuant to law, twelve (12) reports relative to nominations, vacancies, designations of service in acting roles, discontinuations of service in acting roles and actions on nominations for positions covered by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 4, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3855. A communication from the Associate General Counsel for General Law, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, a report relative to a nomination for a position covered by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 for the position of Administrator, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 3, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3856. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program" (RIN2132-AB58) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3857. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection" (RIN2132-AB57) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3858. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Private Investment Project Procedures" (RIN2132-AB60) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3859. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Emergency Relief Program" (RIN2132-AB61) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3860. A communication from the Attorney-Advisor, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Project Management Oversight" (RIN2132-AB59) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3861. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Pratt & Whitney RTX Corporation (Type Certificate Previously Held by Pratt & Whitney Division United Technologies Corporation)" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-0923)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3862. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23353" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-3988)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3863. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG; Amendment 39-23346" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-4635)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3864. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Honda Aircraft Company LLC Airplanes; Amendment 39-23342" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0020)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3865. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of
Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes; Amendment 39-23354" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-3422)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3866. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Goodrich Cabin Attendant Seats; Amendment 39-23345" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-1360)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3867. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23351" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-5028)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3868. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes; Amendment 39-23352" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-5024)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3869. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes; Amendment 39-23350" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-0199)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3870. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Canada Limited Partnership (Type Certificate Previously Held by C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership (CSALP); Bombardier, Inc.); Amendment 39-23347" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2543)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3871. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Yabora Industria Aeronautica S.A.; Embraer S.A.) Airplanes; Amendment 39-23341" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-1340)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3872. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Regional Airplanes; Amendment 39-23348" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2549)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3873. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23355" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2544)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3874. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters; Amendment 39-23362" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-2283)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3875. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23357" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-2286)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3876. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Airplanes; Amendment 39-23367" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2558)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3877. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes; Amendment 39-23364" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-2293)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3878. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23369" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-2280)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3879. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters; Amendment 39-23363" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-1337)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3880.
Text printed in the Record (10,214 characters)
A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Helicopters; Amendment 39-23360" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-2540)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3881. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Regional Airplanes; Amendment 39-23349" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-3425)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3882. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes; Amendment 39-23359" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-4641)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3883. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc., Airplanes; Amendment 39-23340" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-2282)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3884. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments; Amendment No. 4220" ((RIN2120-AA65) (Docket No. 31666)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3885. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments; Amendment No. 4219" ((RIN2120-AA65) (Docket No. 4219)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3886. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Embraer S.A. Airplanes; Amendment 39-23358" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2025-3993)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3887. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Airbus SAS Airplanes;
Amendment 39-23365" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-4645)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3888. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Various Helicopters; Amendment 39-23366" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-2297)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3889. A communication from the Manager of Legal Litigation and Support, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines; Amendment 39-23361" ((RIN2120-AA64) (Docket No. FAA-2026-0742)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 9, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3890. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Clarification of Accident Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Facilities" (RIN2137-AG48) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3891. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Editorial Corrections and Clarifications to Criteria for Conducting Integrity Assessments Using Guided Wave Ultrasonic Testing" (RIN2137-AG47) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3892. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Clarification of Incident Reporting Requirements for Gas Pipeline Facilities" (RIN2137-AG44) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3893. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Electronic Submission of Requests for Written Interpretations and Special Permits" (RIN2137-AG43) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3894. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Consent Orders" (RIN2137-AG42) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3895. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Standards Update-NFPA 59" (RIN2137-AG25) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3896. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Clarifying Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Integrity Management Guidance" (RIN2137-AG24) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3897. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Editorial Correction to Requirements for Low-Stress Hazardous Liquid Pipelines in Rural Areas" (RIN2137-AG49) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3898. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Removing Obsolete Provision from Safety-Related Condition Reporting Requirements for Hazardous Liquid and Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Facilities" (RIN2137-AG50) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3899. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Editorial Correction to 49 CFR 195.9" (RIN2137-AG51) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3900. A communication from the Paralegal of the Office of Chief Counsel, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Pipeline Safety: Editorial Corrections to Telephone and Facsimile Numbers" (RIN2137-AG52) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
EC-3901. A communication from the Biologist, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project on Interstate 5 between Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington" (RIN0648-BN34) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on June 11, 2026; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduction of Bills and Joint Resolutions
Pages S2818–S2819 · Official textThe following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:
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By Mrs. MOODY:
S. 4788. A bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to withhold funds from noncompliant States under such Act; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
By Ms. ERNST:
S. 4789. A bill to amend chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, to designate February 1 of each year as "Blue Star Mothers Day"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Ms. Murkowski):
S. 4790. A bill to establish, at the Department of State, the Esther Coopersmith Award in recognition of a distinguished diplomat advancing sustainable peace and security; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Booker,
Mr. Coons, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Heinrich, Mr.
Hickenlooper, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Kim, Mr.
King, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Padilla, Ms. Rosen,
Mr. Schatz, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Murray,
Mr. Blumenthal, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Schiff, Mr.
Whitehouse, and Ms. Baldwin):
S. 4791. A bill to abolish the Anti-Weaponization Fund, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mrs. MOODY:
S. 4792. A bill to prohibit civil liability actions from being brought or continued against manufacturers and sellers of stone slab products for damages, injunctive, or other relief resulting from the misuse of their products by others; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. SCOTT of South Carolina (for himself and Mrs.
Britt):
S. 4793. A bill to clarify provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act and the Foreign Trade Zones Act with respect to the appropriate tariff treatment of merchandise in a United States foreign-trade zone, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. SHEEHY (for himself and Mr. Schiff):
S. 4794. A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to Congress a report regarding cybersecurity in precision agriculture technologies, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
By Mr. COTTON (for himself and Ms. Cortez Masto):
S. 4795. A bill to amend the Energy Act of 2020 to establish enforceable Federal authorization timelines and expedited judicial remedies, to limit Federal actions halting fully permitted projects, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
By Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Warren, Mr.
Reed, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Markey, and Mr.
Whitehouse):
S. 4796. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the rate of the excise tax on the repurchase of corporate stock, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. CORNYN (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse):
S. 4797. A bill to require States to consider legal issues affecting youth as part of case planning and to provide States with the option to use funds from the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for successful Transition to Adulthood to support access to legal services and counseling; to the Committee on Finance.
By Mr. HUSTED:
S. 4798. A bill to require that Federal Government equity stakes in private companies be liquidated to pay down the debt, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
By Mr. MARKEY:
S. 4799. A bill to cap the amount authorized to be appropriated for the national defense
budget for fiscal year 2027 at $750,000,000,000; to the Committee on Armed Services.
By Mr. PADILLA (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Coons, Ms.
Hirono, Mr. Markey, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Van
Hollen, Mr. Booker, Ms. Blunt Rochester, and Ms.
Warren):
S. 4800. A bill to protect free speech by repealing the ground for deportability under section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act relating to aliens whose presence or activities in the United States are reasonably believed to have serious adverse foreign policy consequences; to the Committee on the Judiciary.
By Mr. MORAN (for himself, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Sheehy, Ms.
Duckworth, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Risch, and
Mr. Booker):
S. 4801. A bill to amend laws relating to duty performed by members of the reserve components of the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Armed Services.
Additional Cosponsors
Pages S2819–S2820 · Official textAt the request of Mrs. Shaheen, the name of the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1088, a bill to provide that the memorial to commemorate the sacrifice and service of the women who worked on the home front to support the efforts of the United States military during World War II may be located on the National Mall, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Durbin, the name of the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1294, a bill to modernize the business of selling firearms. At the request of Mr. Heinrich, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1370, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to restrict the possession of certain firearms, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Crapo, the name of the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1532, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the railroad track maintenance credit. At the request of Mrs. Capito, the name of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1702, a bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for coverage of prescription digital therapeutics under such titles, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Barrasso, the name of the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1797, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program. At the request of Mr. Lee, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1954, a bill to improve the requirements for making a determination of interchangeability of a biological product and its reference product. At the request of Mr. Budd, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1970, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the service members of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam-Studies and Observations Group, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service in South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia during the Vietnam War. At the request of Ms. Warren, the name of the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1996, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve coverage of audiology services under the Medicare program, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Baldwin, the names of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin) and the Senator from Hawaii (Mr. Schatz) were added as cosponsors of S. 2195, a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to the brave women who served in World War II as members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. At the request of Mr. Padilla, the names of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy), the Senator from Montana (Mr. Sheehy), the Senator from Illinois (Ms. Duckworth), the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds), the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Moreno) and the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) were added as cosponsors of S. 2265, a bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, California, and the 2034 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the request of Mr. Thune, the names of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley) were added as cosponsors of S. 2426, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide pharmacy payment of certain services. At the request of Mrs. Britt, the name of the Senator from Maine (Mr. King) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2544, a bill to permit State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds to use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud, and to clarify that Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schmitt, the name of the Senator from Illinois (Mr. Durbin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2767, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation to host private events in Gateway Arch National Park buildings, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Fischer, the name of the Senator from Alabama (Mrs. Britt) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2828, a bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to reauthorize and update the Act, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Murkowski, the name of the Senator from Montana (Mr. Daines) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3048, a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to allow for the use of telehealth in substance use disorder treatment, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Britt, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3254, a bill to establish the IMPROVE Initiative within the National Institutes of Health. At the request of Mr. Cornyn, the name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3332, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Cruz, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3639, a bill to expedite processing of satellite and space licenses, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Tillis, the name of the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3719, a bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide funding for the National Law Enforcement Museum, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Fetterman, the names of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) and the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks) were added as cosponsors of S. 3733, a bill to amend the Passport Act of June 4, 1920, to authorize certain public libraries to collect and retain a fee for the execution of a passport application. At the request of Mr. Marshall, the name of the Senator from New Hampshire (Ms. Hassan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3799, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Healthy Start Initiative. At the request of Mr. Budd, the names of the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford) and the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds) were added as cosponsors of S. 3855, a bill to enhance bilateral defense cooperation between the United States and Israel, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. McCormick, the names of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds) and the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Kaine) were added as cosponsors of S. 3900, a bill to promote human rights, internet freedom and accountability in Iran, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Cotton, the name of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4106, a bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to improve access to certain medications under the TRICARE program, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Barrasso, the names of the Senator from Minnesota (Ms. Klobuchar) and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley) were added as cosponsors of S. 4202, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve access to mental health services under the Medicare program. At the request of Mr. Merkley, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4259, a bill to promote the development, production, and deployment of secure and resilient Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to enhance United States national security and support the defense and resilience of Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific Region. At the request of Mr. Moreno, the name of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4429, a bill to prohibit the importation, manufacture, sale, resale, or introduction into interstate commerce in the United States of connected vehicles and related software and hardware associated with foreign adversaries. At the request of Ms. Murkowski, the names of the Senator from Utah (Mr. Curtis), the Senator from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand), the Senator from New Hampshire (Ms. Hassan) and the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Banks) were added as cosponsors of S. 4472, a bill to amend the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act to reauthorize the provisions of such Act through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Lujan, the name of the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4506, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an investment credit for certain water reuse projects. At the request of Mr. Coons, the names of the Senator from Connecticut (Mr. Blumenthal) and the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott) were added as cosponsors of S. 4591, a bill to protect intellectual property rights in the voice and visual likeness of individuals, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Marshall, the names of the Senator from Montana (Mr. Daines) and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Moreno) were added as cosponsors of S. 4604, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify certain percentage depletion rules with respect to oil and gas wells. At the request of Mr. Graham, the names of the Senator from Nebraska (Mrs. Fischer), the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford), the Senator from Utah (Mr. Curtis) and the Senator from Montana (Mr. Sheehy) were added as cosponsors of S. 4671, a bill to amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to enhance penalties for theft of a firearm from a Federal firearms licensee. At the request of Mr. Ricketts, the names of the Senator from Florida (Mr. Scott), the Senator from Delaware (Mr. Coons), the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch) and the Senator from Colorado (Mr. Bennet) were added as cosponsors of S. 4709, a bill to amend the Arms Export Control Act to modify a limitation relating to exports and transfers of defense articles and services under the AUKUS partnership, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Moran, the name of the Senator from Montana (Mr. Sheehy) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4744, a bill to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. At the request of Mr. Scott of Florida, the name of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4762, a bill to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments on threats to the United States posed by the use of generative artificial intelligence for terrorism, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Merkley, the name of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Sanders) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4774, a bill to prohibit the distribution of false AI-generated election media, to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to prohibit the removal of names from voting rolls using unverified voter challenge databases, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Lee, the name of the Senator from Texas (Mr. Cruz) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4787, a bill to expedite resolution of certain administrative proceedings at the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Cruz, the name of the Senator from Nebraska (Mrs. Fischer) was added as a cosponsor of S.J. Res. 56, a joint resolution designating the month of June as "Life Month". At the request of Mr. Merkley, the name of the Senator from New York (Mrs. Gillibrand) was added as a cosponsor of S.J. Res.
196, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program Final Regulations". At the request of Mr. Kaine, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 766, a resolution acknowledging and apologizing for the mistreatment of, and discrimination against, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served the United States in the uniformed services, the Foreign Service, and the Federal civil service and committing to the pursuit of equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and Federal civil servants.
Text of Amendments
Pages S2821–S2861 · Official textSA 5822. Mr. FETTERMAN (for himself and Mr. McCormick) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (712 characters)
At the appropriate place in title XXVIII, insert the following:
SEC. 28__. ARMY RESERVE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, FORT
INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) Authorization.--The Secretary of the Army may carry out a military construction project for the Army Reserve at a cost not to exceed $76,000,000, consisting of the construction of Equipment Concentration Site 24 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, to restore full maintenance and storage capacity for 130 Army Reserve units across the region.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated $76,000,000, to remain available until expended, to carry out the military construction project authorized under subsection (a).
______
SA 5823. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (11,862 characters)
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act".
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 101. Reforms to housing counseling and financial literacy programs. Sec. 102. Federal guidelines for point-access block buildings. Sec. 103. Exemption on construction or modification of residential housing located on an infill site. Sec. 104. Database of publicly owned land. Sec. 105. FHA Small-Dollar Mortgages. Sec. 106. Temperature Sensor Pilot Program. Sec. 107. Housing supply frameworks.
Sec. 201. Increasing housing in opportunity zones. Sec. 202. Whole-Home Repairs Act. Sec. 203. Community Investment and Prosperity Act. Sec. 204. Addition of affordable housing construction as an eligible activity. Sec. 205. Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development (BUILD) Housing Act. Sec. 206. Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act. Sec. 207. Grants for planning and implementation associated with affordable housing. Sec. 208. Innovation Fund. Sec. 209. Accelerating Home Building Act. Sec. 210. Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act. Sec. 211. Housing Affordability Act. Sec. 212. Rental Assistance Demonstration Program. Sec. 213. Build Now Act.
Sec. 301. Housing Supply Expansion Act. Sec. 302. Modular Housing Production Act. Sec. 303. Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act. Sec. 304. PRICE Act.
Sec. 401. Creating incentives for small-dollar loan originators. Sec. 402. Small-dollar mortgage points and fees. Sec. 403. Appraisal Industry Improvement Act. Sec. 404. Helping More Families Save Act. Sec. 405. Choice in Affordable Housing Act.
Sec. 501. HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Reform Act. Sec. 502. Rural Housing Service Reform Act. Sec. 503. Incentivizing local solutions to homelessness.
Sec. 504. Reforming Disaster Recovery Act. Sec. 505. New Moving to Work cohort.
Sec. 601. Military Service Question. Sec. 602. Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act. Sec. 603. Veterans Affairs Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act.
Sec. 701. Requiring annual testimony and oversight from housing regulators. Sec. 702. FHA reporting requirements on safety and soundness. Sec. 703. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness oversight. Sec. 704. Appraisal Modernization Act.
TITLE VIII--ACCOUNTABILITY, COORDINATION, STUDIES, AND REPORTING
Sec. 801. HUD-USDA-VA Interagency Coordination Act. Sec. 802. Streamlining Rural Housing Act. Sec. 803. Improving self-sufficiency of families in HUD-subsidized housing. Sec. 804. GAO studies. Sec. 805. Improving public housing agency accountability.
TITLE IX--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BANKS' ROLE IN HOUSING
Sec. 901. Community bank deposit access. Sec. 902. Keeping deposits local. Sec. 903. Tailored regulatory updates for supervisory testing. Sec. 904. Credit union board modernization. Sec. 905. Systemic risk authority transparency. Sec. 906. Advancing the mentor-protege program for small financial institutions. Sec. 907. American access to banking. Sec. 908. Promoting new bank formation. Sec. 909. Rural depositories revitalization study.
Sec. 1001. Homes are for people, not corporations.
Sec. 1101. Central bank digital currency.
Sec. 1201. Severability. Sec. 1202. No additional funds authorized.
SEC. 101. REFORMS TO HOUSING COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL
LITERACY PROGRAMS.
Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(4)(C), by striking "adequate distribution" and all that follows through "foreclosure rates" and inserting "that the recipients are geographically diverse and include organizations that serve urban or rural areas";
(2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
"(6) Reviews.--The Secretary--
"(A) may conduct periodic reviews; and
"(B) shall conduct performance reviews of all organizations receiving assistance under this section that--
"(i) consist of a review of the organization's compliance with all program requirements; and
"(ii) may take into account the organization's aggregate counselor performance under paragraph (7)(B).
"(7) Considerations.--
"(A) Covered mortgage loan defined.--In this paragraph, the term `covered mortgage loan' means any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and housing cooperatives) designed principally for the occupancy of between 1 and 4 families that is--
"(i) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.); or
"(ii) guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-13a, 1715z-13b).
"(B) Comparison.--For each counselor employed by an organization receiving assistance under this section for prepurchase housing counseling, the Secretary may consider the performance of the counselor compared to the default rate of all counseled borrowers of a covered mortgage loan in comparable markets and such other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate to further the purposes of this section.
"(8) Certification.--If, based on the comparison required under paragraph (7)(B), the Secretary determines that a counselor lacks competence to provide counseling in the areas described in subsection (e)(2) and such action will not create a significant loss of capacity for housing counseling services in the service area, the Secretary may--
"(A) require continued education coupled with successful completion of a probationary period;
"(B) require retesting if the counselor continues to demonstrate a lack of competence under paragraph (7)(B); and
"(C) suspend an individual certification if a counselor fails to demonstrate competence after not fewer than 2 retesting opportunities under subparagraph (B).";
(3) in subsection (i)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
"(3) Termination of assistance.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary may deny renewal of covered assistance to an organization or entity receiving covered assistance if the Secretary determines that the organization or entity, or the individual through which the organization or entity provides counseling, is not in compliance with program requirements--
"(i) based on the performance review described in subsection (e)(6); and
"(ii) in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary.
"(B) Notice.--The Secretary shall give an organization or entity receiving covered assistance not less than 60 days prior written notice of any denial of renewal under this paragraph, and the determination of renewal shall not be finalized until the end of that notice period.
"(C) Informal conference.--If requested in writing by the organization or entity within the notice period described in subparagraph (B), the organization or entity shall be entitled to an informal conference with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Housing Counseling on behalf of the Secretary at which the organization or entity may present for consideration specific factors that the organization or entity believes were beyond the control of the organization or entity and that caused the failure to comply with program requirements, such as a lack of lender or servicer coordination or communication with housing counseling agencies and individual counselors."; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
"(j) Offering Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling.--
"(1) Covered mortgage loan defined.--In this subsection, the term `covered mortgage loan' means any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and housing cooperatives) or stock or membership in a cooperative ownership housing corporation designed principally for the occupancy of between 1 and 4 families that is--
"(A) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);
"(B) guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-13a, 1715z-13b);
"(C) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
"(D) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Agriculture.
"(2) Opportunity for borrowers.--A borrower with respect to a covered mortgage loan who is 30 days or more delinquent on payments for the covered mortgage loan shall be given an opportunity to participate in available housing counseling.
"(3) Cost.--If the requirements of sections 202(a)(3) and 205(f) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a)(3), 1711(f)) are met, the fair market rate cost of counseling for delinquent borrowers described in paragraph (2) with respect to a covered mortgage loan described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be paid for by the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, as authorized under section 203(r)(4) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(r)(4)).".
SEC. 102. FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR POINT-ACCESS BLOCK
BUILDINGS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue guidelines to provide States, territories, Tribes, and localities with model code language, best practices, and technical guidance that could be used to facilitate the permitting of point-access block residential buildings.
(b) Contents.--When developing the guidelines under subsection (a), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall consider--
(1) fire safety considerations, including sprinkler coverage, smoke detection, ventilation, and building egress performance;
(2) construction costs and potential impacts on housing affordability, including the potential for increasing housing supply in high-cost jurisdictions;
(3) flexibility for diverse consumer needs, including family sizes, unit configurations, and accessibility;
(4) examples of single-stair codes adopted or considered by States and cities in the United States;
(5) examples of single-stair codes used in relevant international standards;
(6) research and model language relating to single-stair codes produced by organizations that focus on point-access block building design and building-code reform;
(7) consulting with experts, including developers, architects, fire marshals, researchers, economists, housing authorities, and officials in States that have enacted or piloted single-stair codes; and
(8) alternative methods of safety compliance, including options that utilize additional passive or active safety features.
(c) Coordination With the International Code Council.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall coordinate with the International Code Council to encourage the International Code Council to incorporate provisions about point-access block buildings into the International Building Code.
(d) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may establish a program to award competitive grants to eligible entities to implement pilot projects that
evaluate, demonstrate, or validate the safety, feasibility, or cost-effectiveness of point-access block residential buildings.
(2) Sunset.--The program established under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this subsection.
(e) Treatment of Projects.--Projects assisted under this section shall be treated as projects assisted under the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5301 et seq.).
(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to preempt a State or local building code.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means a State, unit of local government, Tribal Government, public housing agency, nonprofit housing organization, community development organization, private developer, construction firm, qualified design firm, engineering firm, academic institution, research institution, or any partnership or consortium comprised of 2 or more such types of entities.
(2) Point-access block building.--The term "point-access block building" means a Group R-2 occupancy residential structure, as such term is defined by the International Building Code, in which a single internal stairway provides access and egress for all dwelling units in a building that is not greater than 6 stories in height.
SEC. 103. EXEMPTION ON CONSTRUCTION OR MODIFICATION OF
RESIDENTIAL HOUSING LOCATED ON AN INFILL SITE.
(a) Exemption.--In providing assistance under section 501, 502, 504, 515, 533, or 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471, 1472, 1474, 1485, 1490m, or 1490p-2) for the construction or modification of residential housing located on an infill site, the Secretary of Agriculture shall not be required to carry out any study or report on the environmental effects of such assistance.
(b) Report.--Not later than the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, a report that--
(1) determines whether the implementation of this section--
(A) reduced the amount of time it takes to review an application for assistance under the sections of the Housing Act of 1949 identified in subsection (a); and
(B) reduced the administrative cost of providing such assistance;
(2) describes how the implementation of this section affects the affordable housing sector in rural America; and
(3) includes any legislative recommendations from the Secretary of Agriculture.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Greenfield.--The term "greenfield" means a site that has not been developed, including a woodland, farmland, and an open field.
(2) Infill site.--The term "infill site"--
(A) means a site that is served by existing infrastructure, including water lines, sewer lines, and roads; and
(B) does not include--
(i) a site that is served by existing infrastructure that only consists of a road;
(ii) a site within a census tract designated as very high or relatively high risk for wildfire, coastal flooding, and riverine flooding under the National Risk Index of the Federal Emergency Management Agency pursuant to section 206 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5136); and
(iii) a greenfield.
SEC. 104. DATABASE OF PUBLICLY OWNED LAND.
(a) In General.--Section 104(b) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(7) the grantee maintains, on a publicly accessible website, a searchable database that identifies all parcels of undeveloped land owned by the grantee.".
(b) Eligible Activity.--Section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (25), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (26), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(27) the creation and maintenance of a database of land as required under section 104(b)(7).".
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect on October 1, 2026.
SEC. 105. FHA SMALL-DOLLAR MORTGAGES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, acting through the Federal Housing Commissioner, may establish a pilot program to increase access to small-dollar mortgages for mortgagors, which may include--
(1) authorizing direct payments to mortgagees to incentivize the origination of small-dollar mortgages;
(2) adjusting terms and costs imposed by the Federal Housing Administration with respect to small-dollar mortgages;
(3) providing direct grants for mortgagors who obtain small-dollar mortgages to cover costs associated with--
(A) down payments;
(B) closing costs;
(C) appraisals; and
(D) title insurance;
(4) conducting outreach to potential mortgagors about the availability of small-dollar mortgages; and
(5) providing technical assistance for mortgagees that originate small-dollar mortgages.
(b) Report.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a) and ending 1 year after the sunset of the pilot program, the Federal Housing Commissioner shall submit to Congress an annual report that--
(1) tracks and evaluates the outcomes of small-dollar mortgages originated by mortgagees as a result of support provided under subsection (a);
(2) analyzes risks of the pilot program to the solvency of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund;
(3) includes data with respect to--
(A) the number of small-dollar mortgages originated in the 10-year period preceding the date of enactment of this section, including small-dollar mortgages insured or guaranteed by the Federal Government and small-dollar mortgages not insured by the Federal Government;
(B) the original principal balance of each small-dollar mortgage identified under subparagraph (A);
(C) demographic information about the mortgagors associated with each such small-dollar mortgages; and
(D) the number and type of mortgagees that offer small-dollar mortgages;
(4) provides a description of the fixed costs that are associated with mortgages and the impact of such costs on the ability of lenders to earn a market rate return on small-dollar mortgages; and
(5) includes analysis, by regions of the United States, including rural regions, that identifies regions with the greatest need for, and the highest likelihood of, the origination of small-dollar mortgages and regions that could benefit the most from increased availability of small-dollar mortgages.
(c) Sunset.--The pilot program established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the date on which the pilot program is established under subsection (a).
(d) Expiration of Authority.--After the expiration of the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, neither the Federal Housing Commissioner nor the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may newly establish a pilot program to increase access to small-dollar mortgages for mortgagors.
(e) Small-dollar Mortgage Defined.--The term "small-dollar mortgage" means a mortgage that--
(1) has an original principal balance of $100,000 or less; and
(2) is secured by a 1- to 4-unit property that is the principal residence of the mortgagor.
SEC. 106.
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TEMPERATURE SENSOR PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish a temperature sensor pilot program to provide grants to public housing agencies and owners of covered federally assisted rental dwelling units to acquire, install, and test the efficacy of approved temperature sensors in residential dwelling units to ensure such units remain in compliance with temperature requirements.
(b) Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish eligibility criteria for public housing agencies and owners of covered federally assisted rental dwelling units to participate in the pilot program established pursuant to subsection (a).
(2) Criteria.--In establishing the eligibility criteria described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure--
(A) the pilot program includes a diverse range of participants that represent different geographic regions, climate regions, unit sizes, and types of housing; and
(B) that the functionality of an approved temperature sensor will be installed and tested using amounts awarded under this section, including internet connectivity requirements.
(c) Installation.--Each public housing agency or owner of a covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit that acquires 1 or more approved temperature sensors under this section shall, after receiving written permission from the resident of a dwelling unit, install such temperature sensor and monitor the data from such temperature sensor.
(d) Collection of Complaint Records.--
(1) In general.--Each public housing agency or owner of a covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit that installs 1 or more approved temperature sensors under this section shall collect and retain information about temperature-related complaints and temperature-related violations.
(2) Definitions.--The Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, define the terms "temperature-related complaints" and "temperature-related violations" for the purposes of this subsection.
(e) Data Collection.--
(1) In general.--Data collected from temperature sensors acquired and installed by
public housing agencies and owners of covered federally assisted rental dwelling units under this section shall be retained until the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development notifies the public housing agency or owner that the pilot program and the evaluation of the pilot program are complete.
(2) Personally identifiable information.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish standards for the protection of personally identifiably information collected during the pilot program by public housing agencies, owners of federally assisted rental dwelling units, and the Secretary.
(f) Pilot Program Evaluation.--
(1) Interim evaluation.--Not later than 12 months after the establishment of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall publicly publish and submit to Congress a report that--
(A) examines the number of temperature-related complaints and temperature-related violations in federally assisted rental dwelling units with temperature sensors, disaggregated by temperature sensor technology and climate region--
(i) that occurred before the installation of such sensor, if known; and
(ii) that occurred after the installation of such sensor; and
(B) identifies any barriers to full utility of temperature sensor capabilities, including broadband internet access and tenant participation.
(2) Final evaluation.--Not later than 36 months after the conclusion of the pilot program established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under this section, the Secretary shall publicly publish and submit to Congress a report that--
(A) examines the number of temperature-related complaints and temperature-related violations in federally assisted rental dwelling units with temperature sensors, disaggregated by temperature sensor technology and climate region--
(i) that occurred before the installation of such sensor; and
(ii) that occurred after the installation of such sensor;
(B) identifies any barriers to full utility of temperature sensor capabilities, including broadband internet access and tenant participation; and
(C) compares the utility of various temperature sensor technologies based on--
(i) climate zones;
(ii) cost;
(iii) features; and
(iv) any other factors identified by the Secretary.
(g) Treatment of Projects.--Projects assisted under this section shall be treated as projects assisted under the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(h) Sunset.--The pilot program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this section.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Approved temperature sensor.--The term "approved temperature sensor" means an internet capable temperature reporting device able to measure ambient air temperature to the tenth degree Fahrenheit and Celsius selected from a list of such devices approved in advance by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(2) Assistance.--The term "assistance"--
(A) means any grant, loan, subsidy, contract, cooperative agreement, or other form of financial assistance; and
(B) does not include the insurance or guarantee of a loan, mortgage, or pool of loans or mortgages.
(3) Covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit.--The term "covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit" means a residential dwelling unit that is made available for rental and for which assistance is provided, or that is part of a housing project for which assistance is provided, under--
(A) the program for project-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);
(B) the public housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.);
(C) the program for supportive housing for the elderly under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q); or
(D) the program for supportive housing for persons with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013).
(4) Owner.--The term "owner" means--
(A) with respect to the program for project-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), any private person or entity, including a cooperative, an agency of the Federal Government, or a public housing agency, having the legal right to lease or sublease dwelling units;
(B) with respect to the public housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. et seq.), a public housing agency or an owner entity, as those terms are defined in section 905.108 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, of public housing units;
(C) with respect to the program for supportive housing for the elderly under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q), a private nonprofit organization, as defined under subsection (k)(4) of that section; and
(D) with respect to the program for supportive housing for persons with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013), a private nonprofit organization, as defined under subsection (k)(6) of that section.
SEC. 107.
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HOUSING SUPPLY FRAMEWORKS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable housing.--The term "affordable housing" means housing for which the monthly payment is not more than 30 percent of the monthly income of the household.
(2) Assistant secretary.--The term "Assistant Secretary" means the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Local zoning framework.--The term "local zoning framework" means the local zoning codes and other ordinances, procedures, and policies governing zoning and land-use at the local level.
(4) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(5) State zoning framework.--The term "State zoning framework" means the State legislation or State agency and department procedures, or such legislation or procedures in an insular area of the United States, enabling local planning and zoning authorities and establishing and guiding related policies and programs.
(b) Guidelines on State and Local Zoning Frameworks.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall publish documents outlining guidelines and best practices to support production of adequate housing to meet the needs of communities and provide housing opportunities for individuals at every income level across communities with respect to--
(A) State zoning frameworks; and
(B) local zoning frameworks.
(2) Consultation; public comment.--During the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, in developing the guidelines and best practices required under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary shall--
(A) publish draft guidelines and best practices in the Federal Register for public comment; and
(B) establish a task force for the purpose of providing consultation to draft the guidelines and best practices published under subparagraph (A), the members of which shall include--
(i) urban planners and architects;
(ii) housing developers, including affordable and market-rate housing developers, manufactured housing developers, cooperative housing developers, and other business interests;
(iii) community engagement experts and community members impacted by zoning decisions;
(iv) public housing agencies and transit authorities;
(v) members of local zoning and planning boards and local and regional transportation planning organizations;
(vi) State officials responsible for housing or land use, including members of State zoning boards of appeals;
(vii) academic researchers; and
(viii) home builders.
(3) Contents.--The guidelines and best practices required under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) with respect to State zoning frameworks, outline potential models for updated State enabling legislation or State agency and department procedures;
(B) include recommendations regarding--
(i) the reduction or elimination of parking minimums;
(ii) the increase in maximum floor area ratio requirements and maximum building heights and the reduction in minimum lot sizes and set-back requirements;
(iii) the elimination of restrictions against accessory dwelling units;
(iv) increasing by-right uses, including duplex, triplex, or quadplex buildings, across cities or metropolitan areas;
(v) mechanisms, including proximity to transit, to determine the appropriate scope for rezoning and ensure development that does not disproportionately burden residents of economically distressed areas;
(vi) provisions regarding review of by-right development proposals to streamline review and reduce uncertainty, including--
(I) nondiscretionary, ministerial review; and (II) entitlement and design review processes;
(vii) the reduction of obstacles, regulatory or otherwise, to a range of housing types at all levels of affordability, including manufactured and modular housing;
(viii) State model zoning regulations for directing local reforms, including mechanisms to encourage adoption;
(ix) provisions to encourage transit-oriented development, including increased permissible units per structure and reduced minimum lot sizes near existing or planned public transit stations;
(x) potential reforms to strengthen the public engagement process;
(xi) reforms to protest petition statutes;
(xii) the standardization, reduction, or elimination of impact fees;
(xiii) cost-effective and appropriate building codes;
(xiv) models for community benefit agreements;
(xv) mechanisms to preserve affordability, limit disruption of low-income communities, and prevent displacement of existing residents;
(xvi) with respect to State zoning frameworks--
(I) State model codes for directing local reforms, including mechanisms to encourage adoption;
(II) a model for a State zoning appeals process, which would--
(aa) create a process for developers or builders requesting a variance, conditional use, special permit, zoning district change, similar discretionary permit, or otherwise petitioning a local zoning or planning board for a project, including a State-defined amount of affordable housing to appeal a rejection to a State body or regional body empowered by the State; and
(bb) establish qualifications for communities to be exempted from the appeals process based on their available stock of affordable housing; and
(III) streamlining of State environmental review policies;
(xvii) with respect to local zoning frameworks--
(I) the simplification and standardization of existing zoning codes;
(II) maximum review timelines;
(III) best practices for the disposition of land owned by local governments for affordable housing development;
(IV) differentiations between best practices for rural, suburban, and urban communities, and communities with different levels of density or population distribution; and
(V) streamlining of local environmental review policies; and
(xviii) other land use measures that promote access to new housing opportunities identified by the Secretary; and
(C) consider--
(i) the effects of adopting any recommendation on eligibility for Federal discretionary grants and tax credits for the purpose of housing or community development;
(ii) coordination between infrastructure investments and housing planning;
(iii) local housing needs, including ways to set and measure housing goals and targets;
(iv) a range of affordability for rental units, with a prioritization of units attainable to extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income residents;
(v) a range of affordability for homeownership;
(vi) accountability measures;
(vii) the long-term cost to residents and businesses if more housing is not constructed;
(viii) barriers to individuals seeking to access affordable housing in growing communities and communities with economic opportunity;
(ix) with respect to State zoning frameworks--
(I) distinctions between States providing constitutional or statutory home rule authority to municipalities and States operating under the Dillon Rule, as articulated in Hunter v. Pittsburgh, 207 U.S. 161 (1907); and
(II) Statewide mechanisms to preserve existing affordability over the long term, including support for land banks and community land trusts;
(x) public comments elicited under paragraph (2)(A); and
(xi) other considerations, as identified by the Assistant Secretary.
(c) Abolishment of the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse.--
(1) In general.--The Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse established pursuant to section 1205 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d) is abolished.
(2) Repeal.--Section 1205 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d) is repealed.
(d) Reporting.--Not later than 5 years after the date on which the Assistant Secretary publishes the final guidelines and best practices for State and local zoning frameworks under this section, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing--
(1) the States that have adopted recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, pursuant to subsection (b);
(2) a summary of the localities that have adopted recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, pursuant to subsection (b);
(3) a list of States that adopted a State zoning framework;
(4) a summary of the modifications that each State has made in their State zoning framework;
(5) a general summary of the types of updates localities have made to their local zoning framework;
(6) with respect to the States that have adopted a State zoning framework or recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, the effect of such adoptions; and
(7) a summary of any recommendations that were routinely not adopted by States or by localities.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to permit the Department of Housing and Urban Development to take an adverse action against or fail to provide otherwise offered actions or services for any State or locality if the State or locality declines to adopt a guideline or best practice under subsection (b).
SEC. 201. INCREASING HOUSING IN OPPORTUNITY ZONES.
(a) Covered Grant Defined.--In this section, the term "covered grant" means any competitive grant relating to the construction, modification, rehabilitation, or preservation of housing, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Priority.--When awarding a covered grant, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may give additional weight to applicants with proposed activities or projects that are located in or substantially and directly benefit a community designated as a qualified opportunity zone under section 1400Z-1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
SEC. 202.
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WHOLE-HOME REPAIRS ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable unit.--The term "affordable unit" means a unit for which the monthly rental payment is not more than 30 percent of the gross income of an individual earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income, as defined by the Secretary.
(2) Assisted unit.--The term "assisted unit" means a unit that undergoes repair or rehabilitation work through a whole-home repairs program administered by an implementing organization under this section.
(3) Eligible home-owner.--The term "eligible home-owner" means a home-owner--
(A) with a household income that--
(i) is not more than 80 percent of the area median income; or
(ii) meets the income eligibility requirements for receiving assistance or benefits under a specified program, as defined in paragraph (11); and
(B) who is--
(i) an owner of record as evidenced by a publicly recorded deed, or other document recorded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and occupies the home on which repairs are to be conducted as their principal residence;
(ii) an owner-occupant of the manufactured home on which repairs are to be conducted;
(iii) an owner-occupant of the cooperative housing unit on which repairs are to be conducted; or
(iv) an owner who can demonstrate an ownership interest in the property, or trust land leasehold, on which repairs are to be conducted, including a person who has inherited an interest in that property.
(4) Eligible landlord.--The term "eligible landlord" means an individual--
(A) who owns, as determined by the relevant implementing organization, fewer than 10 eligible rental properties, with a majority of affordable units and not more than 25 total units, operated as primary residences in which a majority ownership interest is held by the individual, the spouse of the individual, or the dependent children of the individual, or any closely held legal entity controlled by the individual, the spouse of the individual, or the dependent children of the individual, either individually or collectively; and
(B) who agrees to the provisions described in subsection (b)(3).
(5) Eligible rental property.--The term "eligible rental property" means a residential property that--
(A) is leased, or offered exclusively for lease, as a primary residence by an eligible landlord; and
(B) includes affordable units.
(6) Forgivable loan.--The term "forgivable loan" means a loan--
(A) made to an eligible landlord;
(B) that is secured by a lien recorded against a residential property; and
(C) that may be forgiven by the implementing organization not later than the date that is 3 years after the completion of the repairs if the eligible landlord has maintained compliance with the loan agreement described in subsection (b)(3).
(7) Implementing organization.--The term "implementing organization"--
(A) means a unit of general local government or a State that--
(i) will administer a whole-home repairs program through an agency, department, or other entity; or
(ii) enters into agreements with 1 or more local governments, Indian tribes, municipal authorities, other governmental authorities, including a tribally designated housing entity, or qualified nonprofit organizations, to administer a whole-home repairs program as a subrecipient; and
(B) does not include a redundant entity in a jurisdiction already served by a grantee under subsection (b).
(8) Indian tribe.--The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).
(9) Qualified nonprofit.--The term "qualified nonprofit" means a nonprofit organization that--
(A) has received funding, as a recipient or subrecipient, through--
(i) the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(ii) the HOME Investment Partnerships program under subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12741 et seq.);
(iii) the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction grant program under section 1011 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4852), a grant under the Healthy Homes Initiative administered by the Secretary pursuant to sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1, 1701z-2),
or a grant under the Older Adult Home Modification Grants Program authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42), or any successor Act, to make safety and functional home modification repairs and renovations to meet the needs of low-income seniors to enable them to remain in their primary residence;
(iv) the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity program authorized under section 11 of the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 12805 note);
(v) a rural housing program under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.); or
(vi) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation established under the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.);
(B) has coordinated, performed, or otherwise been engaged in weatherization, lead remediation, or home-repair work for not less than 2 years;
(C) has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, or by a State authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency to administer a certification program, as--
(i) eligible to carry out activities under the lead renovation, repair, and painting program under section 402(c) or 404 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2682(c), 2684); or
(ii) a Home Certification Organization under the Energy Star program established by section 324A of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6294a) or the WaterSense program under section 324B of that Act (42 U.S.C. 6294b), or recognized or otherwise approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Home Certification Organization under either of those programs; or
(D) is a community development financial institution, as defined in section 103 of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702).
(10) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(11) Specified program.--For purposes of paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the term "specified program" means any of the following:
(A) The Medicaid program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
(B) The State Children's Health Insurance Program established under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.).
(C) The supplemental security income benefits program established under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.).
(D) The supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
(E) The temporary assistance for needy families program established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(12) State.--The term "State" means--
(A) each State of the United States;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(D) any territory or possession of the United States; and
(E) an Indian tribe.
(13) Tribally designated housing entity.--The term "tribally designated housing entity" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).
(14) Whole-home repairs.--The term "whole-home repairs" means modifications, repairs, or updates to home-owner or renter-occupied units to address--
(A) physical and sensory accessibility for individuals with disabilities and older adults, such as bathroom and kitchen modifications, installation of grab bars and handrails, guards and guardrails, lifting devices, ramp additions or repairs, sidewalk addition or repair, or doorway or hallway widening;
(B) habitability and safety concerns, such as repairs needed to ensure residential units are fit for human habitation and free from defective conditions or health and safety hazards; or
(C) energy and water efficiency, resilience, and weatherization.
(b) Pilot Program.--
(1) Establishment.--There is authorized a pilot program to provide grants to implementing organizations to administer a whole-home repairs program for eligible home-owners and eligible landlords.
(2) Use of funds.--An implementing organization that receives a grant from appropriated funds made available for this subsection--
(A) shall provide grants to eligible home-owners to implement whole-home repairs not covered by other Federal home repair programs up to a maximum amount per unit, which maximum amount should--
(i) reflect local construction costs and the level of repairs needed in each unit; and
(ii) be calculated and approved by the Secretary;
(B) shall provide loans, which may be forgivable, to eligible landlords to implement whole-home repairs not covered by other Federal home repair programs for individual affordable units, public and common use areas within the property, and common structural elements up to a maximum amount per unit, area, or element, as applicable, which maximum amount should--
(i) reflect local construction costs; and
(ii) be calculated and approved by the Secretary;
(C) shall evaluate, or provide assistance to eligible home-owners and eligible landlords to evaluate, whole-home repair program funds provided under this subsection with Federal, State, Tribal, and local home repair programs to provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of eligible landlords and eligible home-owners and avoid duplication of benefits and redundancies for the same home repairs;
(D) shall require that--
(i) all repairs funded or facilitated through an award under this subsection have been completed;
(ii) if repairs are not completed and the plan for whole-home repairs is not updated to reflect the new scope of work, that the loan or grant is repaid on a prorated basis based on completed work; and
(iii) any unused grant or loan balance is returned to the implementing organization, and is reused by the implementing organization for a new whole-home repair grant or loan under this subsection;
(E) may use not more than 5 percent of the awarded funds to carry out related functions, including workforce training for home repair professions, which shall be related to efforts to increase the number of home repairs performed and approved by the Secretary;
(F) may use not more than 10 percent of the awarded funds for administrative expenses;
(G) shall comply with Federal accessibility requirements and standards under applicable Federal fair housing and civil rights laws and regulations, including section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
(H) shall ensure that rental properties assisted under subparagraph (B) shall be treated as projects assisted under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(3) Loan agreement.--In a loan agreement with an eligible landlord under this subsection, an implementing organization shall include provisions establishing that the eligible landlord shall, for each eligible rental property for which a loan is used to fund repairs under this subsection--
(A) comply with Federal accessibility requirements and standards under applicable Federal fair housing and civil rights laws and regulations, including section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
(B)(i) if the landlord is renting the assisted units available in the eligible rental property to tenants receiving tenant-based rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
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1437f(o)), under another tenant-based rental assistance program administered by the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture, or under a tenant-based rental subsidy provided by a State or local government, comply with the program requirements under the relevant tenant-based rental assistance program; or
(ii) if the eligible landlord is not renting to tenants receiving rental-based assistance as described in clause (i)--
(I)(aa) offer to extend the lease of current tenants on current terms, other than the terms described in subclause (iv) for not less than 3 years beginning after the completion of the repairs, unless the lease is terminated due to failure to pay rent, performance of an illegal act within the rental unit, or a violation of an obligation of tenancy that the tenants failed to correct after notice; and
(bb) if the tenant of an assisted unit moves out of the assisted unit at any point in the 3-year period following the loan agreement, maintain the unit as an affordable unit for the remainder of the 3-year period;
(II) provide documentation verifying that the property, upon completion of approved renovations, has met all applicable State and local housing and building codes;
(III) attest that the landlord has no known serious violations of renter protections that have resulted in fines, penalties, or judgments during the preceding 10 years; and
(IV) cap annual rent increases for each assisted unit at 5 percent of base rent or at the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, for not less than 3 years beginning after the completion of the repairs.
(4) Application.--
(A) In general.--An implementing organization desiring an award under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application that includes--
(i) the geographic scope of the whole-home repairs program to be administered by the implementing organization, including the plan to address need in any rural, Tribal, suburban, or urban area within a jurisdiction;
(ii) a plan for selecting subrecipients, if applicable;
(iii) a description of how the implementing organization plans to execute the coordination of Federal, State, Tribal, and local home repair programs, including programs administered by the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Veteran Affairs, or the Department of Agriculture, to increase efficiency and reduce redundancy;
(iv) available data on the need for affordable and quality housing within the geographic scope of the whole-home repairs program, and any plans to preserve affordability through the term of the award;
(v) a description of how the implementing organization plans to process and verify applications for grants from eligible home-
owners and applications for loans from eligible landlords; and
(vi) such other information as the Secretary requires to determine the ability of an applicant to carry out a program under this subsection.
(B) Considerations.--In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
(i) with respect to applications submitted by States other than the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States, prioritize those applications with a demonstrated plan to--
(I) make a good-faith effort to implement the pilot program in every jurisdiction; and
(II) provide nonmetropolitan areas, or subrecipients serving non-metropolitan areas if applicable, with a share of total funds commensurate with their population;
(ii) aim to select applicants so that the awardees collectively span diverse geographies, with an intent to understand the impact of the pilot program under this subsection in urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal settings; and
(iii) not disqualify implementing organizations that were awarded grants under the pilot program in prior application cycles.
(5) Program information.--The Secretary shall make available to grant recipients under this subsection information regarding existing Federal programs for which grant recipients may coordinate or provide assistance in coordinating applications for those programs in accordance with paragraph (2)(C).
(6) Grant number.--In each year in which an award is made under this subsection, the Secretary shall award assistance to--
(A) not less than 2, and not more than 10, implementing organizations, as application numbers and funding permit; and
(B) not more than 1 implementing organization in any State.
(7) Loans that are not forgiven.--If a loan made by an implementing organization under paragraph (2)(B) is not forgiven, the loan repayment funds shall be reused by the implementing organization for a new whole-home repair grant or loan under this subsection, which shall remain subject to the original terms of the assistance awarded under this subsection.
(8) Supplement, not supplant.--Amounts awarded under this subsection to implementing organizations shall supplement, not supplant, other Federal, State, Tribal, and local funds made available to those entities.
(9) Streamlining program delivery and ensuring efficiency.--To the extent possible, in carrying out the pilot program under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
(A) endeavor to improve efficiency of service delivery, as well as the experience of and impact on the taxpayer, by encouraging programmatic collaboration and information sharing across Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs for home repair or improvement, including programs administered by the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Department of Energy; and
(B) enhance collaboration and cross-agency streamlining efforts that reduce the burden of multiple income verification processes and applications on the eligible home-owner, the eligible landlord, the implementing organization, and the Federal Government, including by establishing assistance application procedures for income eligibility under this subsection that recognize income eligibility determinations for assistance using any of the criteria under subsection (a)(3)(A) that have been used for assistance applications during the 1-year period preceding the date on which an eligible home-owner or eligible landlord applies for assistance under this subsection.
(10) Reporting requirements.--
(A) Annual report.--An implementing organization that receives a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an annual report on initial funding that includes--
(i) the number of units served, including reporting on both home-ownership and rental units, as well as accessible units;
(ii) the average cost per unit for modifications or repairs and the nature of those modifications or repairs, including reporting on accessibility in both home-ownership and rental units;
(iii) the number of applications received, served, denied, or not completed, disaggregated by geographic area;
(iv) the aggregated demographic data of grant recipients, which may include data on income range, urban, suburban, and rural residency, age, and racial and ethnic identity;
(v) the aggregated demographic data of loan recipients, which may include data on income range, urban, suburban, and rural residency, age, and racial and ethnic identity;
(vi) an affirmation that the implementation organization has complied with the applicable regulations, including compliance with Federal accessibility requirements;
(vii) in the first year of receiving a grant, and as certified in subsequent reports, a comprehensive plan to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the administration of the pilot program, which shall include, at a minimum--
(I) a policy enacted and enforced by the implementing organization to monitor ongoing expenditures under this subsection and ensure compliance with applicable regulations;
(II) a policy enacted and enforced by the implementing organization to detect and deter fraudulent activity, including fraud occurring in individual projects and patterns of fraud by parties involved in the expenditure of funds under this subsection;
(III) a statement setting forth any violations detected by the implementing organization during the previous calendar year, including details about steps taken to achieve compliance and any remedial measures; and
(IV) a certification by the chief executive or most senior compliance officer of the organization that the organization maintains sufficient staff and resources to effectively carry out the above-mentioned policies; and
(viii) such other information as the Secretary may require.
(B) Reporting requirement alignment.--To limit the costs of implementing the pilot program under this subsection, the Secretary shall endeavor, to the extent possible, to structure reporting requirements such that they align with the data reporting requirements in place for funding streams that implementing organizations are likely to use together with funding from this subsection, including the reporting requirements under--
(i) the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(ii) the HOME Investment Partnerships program under subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12741 et seq.);
(iii) the Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income persons established under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.); and
(iv) the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.).
(C) Pilot program period reports.--Not less frequently than twice during the period in which the pilot program established under this subsection operates, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development shall complete an assessment of the implementation of measures to ensure the fair and legitimate use of the pilot program.
(D) Summary to congress.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives an annual report providing a summary of the data provided under subparagraphs (A) and (C) during the 1-year period preceding the report and all data previously provided under those subparagraphs.
(11) Environmental review.--A grant under this subsection shall be--
(A) treated as assistance for a special project for purposes of section 305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547); and
(B) subject to the regulations promulgated by the Secretary to implement such section.
(12) Termination.--The pilot program established under this subsection shall terminate on October 1, 2031.
SEC. 203. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND PROSPERITY ACT.
(a) Revised Statutes.--The paragraph designated as the "Eleventh" of section 5136 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 24) is amended, in the fifth sentence, by striking "15" each place the term appears and inserting "20".
(b) Federal Reserve Act.--Section 9(23) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 338a) is amended, in the fifth sentence, by striking "15" each place the term appears and inserting "20".
(c) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter, the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall each submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, a report, after consulting with the other agency in the development of such report, about public welfare investments that were made by associations under section 5136 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 24) and State member banks under section 9(23) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C.
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338a) in the 2 previous calendar years, that--
(1) identifies the number of such investments, broken down by--
(A) purpose;
(B) type;
(C) amount of assets of the association or State member bank that made the investment, using not fewer than 4 categories to describe the amount of assets of the associations and banks; and
(D) State or other location;
(2) identifies the dollar amounts of such investments, broken down by--
(A) purpose;
(B) type;
(C) amount of assets of the association or State member bank that made the investment, using not fewer than 4 categories to describe the amount of assets of the associations and banks; and
(D) State or other location; and
(3) for each type of public welfare investment identified under paragraphs (1) and (2), a description of the substantive and procedural requirements that apply to each type of investment made under--
(A) in the case of a report by the Comptroller of the Currency, section 5136 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 24); or
(B) in the case of a report by the Board of Governors, section 9(23) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 338a).
SEC. 204. ADDITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AS AN
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITY.
(a) Eligible Activity.--Section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)), as amended by section 104 of this Act, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (26), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (27), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(28) the new construction of affordable housing, within the meaning given such term under section 215 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12745), and which shall not exceed 20 percent of the amounts allocated to the recipient.".
(b) Low- and Moderate-income Requirement.--Section 105(c)(3) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(c)(3)) is amended by striking "or rehabilitation" and inserting ", rehabilitation, or new construction".
(c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect only to amounts appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 205. BETTER USE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT (BUILD) HOUSING ACT.
(a) Designation of Environmental Review Procedure.--The Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3531 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 12 (42 U.S.C. 3537a) the following:
"SEC. 13. DESIGNATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCEDURE.
"(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary may, for purposes of environmental review, decision making, and action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and other provisions of law that further the purposes of such Act, designate the treatment of assistance administered by the Secretary as funds for a special project for purposes of section 305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547).
"(b) Exception.--The designation described in subsection (a) shall not apply to assistance for which a procedure for carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and other provisions of law that further the purposes of such Act, is otherwise specified in law.".
(b) Tribal Assumption of Environmental Review Obligations.--Section 305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547) is amended--
(1) by striking "State or unit of general local government" each place it appears and inserting "State, Indian Tribe, or unit of general local government";
(2) in paragraph (1)(C), in the heading, by striking "State or unit of general local government" and inserting "State, indian tribe, or unit of general local government"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(5) Definition of indian tribe.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `Indian Tribe' means a federally recognized tribe, as defined in section 4(13)(B) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(13)(B)).".
(c) Implementation.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a designation of assistance under section 13 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act, as added by subsection (a), shall only apply with respect to funds appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Exception.--If a grantee of assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development combines funds appropriated before and after the date of enactment of this Act to carry out a project, section 13 of the Department of and Urban Development Act, as added by subsection (a), shall not apply to that assistance.
SEC. 206. UNLOCKING HOUSING SUPPLY THROUGH STREAMLINED AND
MODERNIZED REVIEWS ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Infill project.--The term "infill project" means a project that--
(A) occurs within the geographic limits of a municipality;
(B) is adequately served by existing utilities and public services as required under applicable law;
(C) is located on a site of previously disturbed land of not more than 5 acres and substantially surrounded by residential or commercial development;
(D) will repurpose a vacant or underutilized parcel of land, or a dilapidated or abandoned structure; and
(E) will serve a residential or commercial purpose.
(2) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) NEPA Streamlining for HUD Housing-related Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, and section 103 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4333), expand and reclassify housing-related activities under the necessary administrative regulations as follows:
(A) The following housing-related activities shall be subject to regulations equivalent or substantially similar to the regulations entitled "exempt activities" as set forth in section 58.34 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025:
(i) Tenant-based rental assistance.
(ii) Supportive services, including health care, housing services, permanent housing placement, day care, nutritional services, short-term payments for rent, mortgage, or utility costs, and assistance in gaining access to Federal Government and State and local government benefits and services.
(iii) Operating costs, including maintenance, security, operation, utilities, furnishings, equipment, supplies, staff training, and recruitment and other incidental costs.
(iv) Economic development activities, including equipment purchases, inventory financing, interest subsidies, operating expenses, and similar costs not associated with construction or expansion of existing operations.
(v) Activities to assist home-buyers in the purchase of existing dwelling units or dwelling units under construction, including closing costs and down payment assistance, interest rate buydowns, and similar activities that result in the transfer of title.
(vi) Affordable housing predevelopment costs related to obtaining site options, project financing, administrative costs and fees for loan commitment, zoning approvals, and other related activities that do not have a physical impact.
(vii) Approval of supplemental assistance, including insurance or guarantee, to a project previously approved by the Secretary.
(viii) Emergency home-owner or renter assistance for the repair or replacement of HVAC, hot water heaters, and other necessary existing utilities required under applicable law.
(B) The following housing-related activities shall be subject to regulations equivalent or substantially similar to the regulations entitled, (i) "categorical exclusions not subject to section 58.5" and (ii) "categorical exclusions not subject to the Federal laws and authorities cited in section 50.4" in section 58.35(b) and section 50.19, respectively of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025, if such activities do not materially alter environmental conditions and do not materially exceed the original scope of the project:
(i) Acquisition, repair, improvement, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of public facilities and improvements (other than buildings) if the facilities and improvements are in place and will be retained in the same use without change in size or capacity of more than 20 percent, including replacement of water or sewer lines, reconstruction of curbs and sidewalks, and repaving of streets.
(ii) Rehabilitation of 1-to-4 unit residential buildings, and existing housing-related infrastructure, such as repairs or rehabilitation of existing wells, septics, or utility lines that connect to that housing.
(iii) New construction, development, demolition, acquisition, or disposition of up to 4 scattered site existing dwelling units where there is a maximum of 4 units on any 1 site.
(iv) Acquisitions (including leasing) of, disposition of, or equity loans on an existing structure, or acquisition (including leasing) of vacant land if the structure or land acquired, financed, or disposed of will be retained for the same use.
(C) The following housing-related activities shall be subject to regulations equivalent or substantially similar to the regulations entitled, (i) "categorical exclusions subject to section 58.5" and (ii) "categorical exclusions subject to the Federal laws and authorities cited in section 50.4" in section 58.35(a) and section 50.20, respectively, of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025, if such activities do not materially alter environmental conditions and do not materially exceed the original scope of the project:
(i) Acquisitions of open space or residential property, where such property will be retained for the same use or will be converted to open space to help residents relocate out of an area designated as a high-risk area by the Secretary.
(ii) Conversion of existing office buildings into residential development, subject to--
(I) a maximum number of units to be determined by the Secretary; and
(II) a limitation on the change in building size of not more than 20 percent.
(iii) New construction, development, demolition, acquisition, or disposition of 5 to 15 dwelling units where there is a maximum of 15 units on any 1 site.
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The units can be 15 1-unit buildings or 1 15-unit building, or any combination in between.
(iv) New construction, development, demolition, acquisition, or disposition of 15 or more housing units developed on scattered sites when there are not more than 15 housing units on any 1 site, and the sites are more than a set number of feet apart as determined by the Secretary.
(v) Rehabilitation of buildings and improvements in the case of a building for residential use with 5 to 15 units, if the density is not increased beyond 15 units and the land use is not changed.
(vi) Infill projects consisting of new construction, rehabilitation, or development of residential housing units.
(vii) The voluntary acquisition of properties--
(I) located in--
(aa) a floodway; (bb) a floodplain; or (cc) any other area, clearly delineated by the grantee; and
(II) that have been impacted by a predictable environmental threat to the safety and well-being of program beneficiaries caused or exacerbated by a federally declared disaster.
(c) Implementation.--For purposes of implementing the streamlining of environmental review for housing-related activities under subsection (b), the agency actions carried out under that subsection--
(1) shall only apply with respect to funds appropriated after the effective date of those actions; and
(2) shall not apply with respect to a grantee that combines funds appropriated before and after the effective date of those actions to carry out a project.
(d) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives an annual report during the 5-year period beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act that provides a summary of findings of reductions in review times and administrative cost reduction, with a particular focus on the affordable housing sector, as a result of the actions set forth in this section, and any recommendations of the Secretary for future congressional action with respect to revising categorical exclusions or exemptions under title 24, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 207. GRANTS FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ASSOCIATED
WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means--
(A) a State, insular area, metropolitan city, or urban county, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302); or
(B) a regional planning agency or consortia of regional planning agencies.
(2) Housing plan.--The term "housing plan" means a plan to, with respect to an area within the jurisdiction of an eligible entity--
(A) increase the amount of available housing to meet the demand for such housing and any projected increase in the demand for such housing;
(B) increase the affordability of housing;
(C) increase the accessibility of housing for people with disabilities, including location-efficient housing;
(D) preserve or improve the quality of housing;
(E) reduce barriers to housing development; and
(F) coordinate with transportation-related agencies.
(3) Housing strategy.--The term "housing strategy" means a housing strategy required under section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705).
(4) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to assist planning and implementation activities associated with affordable housing, except that such grant awards may not be used for construction, alteration, or repair work.
(c) Use of Amounts.--
(1) By regional planning agencies.--If an eligible entity that receives amounts under this section is an eligible entity described in subsection (a)(1)(B), the eligible entity shall use those amounts to assist planning activities with respect to affordable housing, including--
(A) the development of housing plans;
(B) the substantial improvement of State or local housing strategies;
(C) the development of new regulatory requirements and processes;
(D) updating zoning codes;
(E) increasing the capacity to conduct housing inspections;
(F) increasing the capacity to reduce barriers to housing supply elasticity and housing affordability;
(G) the development of local or regional plans for community development; and
(H) the substantial improvement of community development strategies, including strategies designed to--
(i) increase the availability of affordable housing and access to affordable housing;
(ii) increase access to public transportation; and
(iii) advance sustainable or location-efficient community development goals.
(2) By states, insular areas, metropolitan cities, and urban counties.--If an eligible entity that receives amounts under this section is an eligible entity described in subsection (a)(1)(A), the eligible entity shall use those amounts to--
(A) implement and administer housing strategies and housing plans;
(B) implement and administer any plans to increase housing choice, address disparities in housing needs, and provide greater access to opportunity;
(C) fund any community investments that support goals identified in a housing strategy or housing plan;
(D) implement and administer regulatory requirements and processes with respect to reformed zoning codes;
(E) increase the capacity to conduct housing inspections;
(F) increase the capacity to reduce barriers to housing supply elasticity and housing affordability;
(G) implement and administer local or regional plans for community development; and
(H) fund any planning to increase--
(i) the availability of affordable housing and access to affordable housing;
(ii) access to public transportation; and
(iii) any location-efficient community development goals.
(3) Use for administrative costs.--A eligible entity that receives amounts under this section may not use more than 10 percent of those amounts for administrative costs.
(d) Coordination.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in carrying out this section.
(e) Expiration of Authority.--After the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may not newly establish a program as described in this section.
(f) Sunset.--The program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 208. INNOVATION FUND.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Attainable housing.--The term "attainable housing" means housing that serves households earning not more than 120 percent of the area median income, if the majority of the housing units are affordable to households earning not more than 60 percent of the area median income.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means--
(A) a metropolitan city or urban county, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302), that has demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply growth, as determined by the Secretary, whose methodology for determining such growth is published in the Federal Register to allow for public comment not less than 90 days before the date on which the notice of funding opportunity is made available; or
(B) a unit of general local government or an Indian tribe, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302), that has demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply growth, as determined by the Secretary, whose methodology for determining such improvement is published in the Federal Register to allow for public comment not less than 90 days before the date on which the notice of funding opportunity is made available.
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Establishment of a Grant Program.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities that have increased their local housing supply.
(2) List of eligible entities.--The Secretary shall make a list of eligible entities publicly available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Eligible purposes.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section may use funds to--
(A) carry out any of the activities described in section 105 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5305);
(B) carry out any of the activities permitted under the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program established under section 6702 of title 49, United States Code; and
(C) carry out initiatives of the eligible entity that facilitate the expansion of the supply of attainable housing and that supplement initiatives the eligible entity has carried out, or is in the process of carrying out, as specified in the application submitted under paragraph (4).
(4) Application.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application that provides--
(i) a description of each purpose for which the eligible entity will use the grant, and an attestation that the grant will be used only for 1 or more eligible purposes described in paragraph (3);
(ii) data on characteristics of increased housing supply during the 3-year period ending on the date on which the application is submitted, which may include whether such housing--
(I) serves households at a range of income levels; and
(II) has improved the quality and affordability of housing in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity;
(iii) a description of how each eligible purpose described in clause (i) may address a community need or advance an objective, or an aspect of an objective, included in the comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development plan of the eligible entity under part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation (commonly referred to as a "consolidated plan"); and
(iv) a description of how the eligible entity has carried out, or is in the process of carrying out, initiatives that facilitate the expansion of the supply of housing.
(B) Initiatives.--Initiatives that meet the criteria described in paragraph (3)(C) include, but shall not be limited to--
(i) increasing by-right uses, including duplex, triplex, quadplex, and multifamily buildings, in areas of opportunity;
(ii) revising or eliminating off-street parking requirements to reduce the cost of housing production;
(iii) revising minimum lot size requirements, floor area ratio requirements, set-back requirements, building heights, and bans or limits on construction that allow for denser and more affordable development;
(iv) instituting incentives to promote dense development for communities where increased density is needed;
(v) passing zoning overlays or other ordinances that enable the development of mixed-income housing;
(vi) streamlining regulatory requirements and shortening processes, increasing code enforcement and permitting capacity, reforming zoning codes, or other initiatives that reduce barriers to increasing housing supply and affordability;
(vii) eliminating restrictions against accessory dwelling units and expanding their by-right use;
(viii) using local tax incentives or public financing to promote development of attainable housing;
(ix) streamlining environmental regulations;
(x) eliminating unnecessary manufactured-housing or cooperative housing regulations and restrictions;
(xi) minimizing the impact of overburdensome energy and water efficiency standards on housing costs; and
(xii) other activities that reduce the cost of construction, as determined by the Secretary.
(5) Grants.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make not fewer than 25 grants on an annual basis (unless amounts appropriated to provide grant amounts consistent with subsection (b) are insufficient, in which case fewer grants may be awarded), with strong consideration of different geographical areas and a relatively even spread of rural, suburban, and urban communities.
(B) Limitations on awards.--No grant awarded under this paragraph may be--
(i) more than $10,000,000; or
(ii) less than $250,000.
(C) Priority.--When awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that has--
(i) demonstrated the use of innovative policies, interventions, or programs for increasing housing supply; and
(ii) demonstrated a marked improvement in housing supply growth, as needed.
(D) Grant administration and terms.--Projects assisted under this section for activities described in sector 23 of the North American Industry Classification System shall be treated as projects assisted under the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(c) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed--
(1) to authorize the Secretary to mandate, supersede, or preempt any local zoning or land use policy; or
(2) to affect the requirements of section 105(c)(1) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705(c)(1)).
(d) Sunset.--The program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(2) Adjustment.--The amount authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Customers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.
SEC. 209. ACCELERATING HOME BUILDING ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable housing.--The term "affordable housing" means housing for which the total monthly housing cost payment is not more than 30 percent of the monthly household income for a household earning not more than 80 percent of the area median income.
(2) Covered structure.--The term "covered structure" means--
(A) a low-rise or mid-rise structure with not more than 25 dwelling units; and
(B) includes--
(i) an accessory dwelling unit;
(ii) infill development;
(iii) a duplex;
(iv) a triplex;
(v) a fourplex;
(vi) a cottage court;
(vii) a courtyard building;
(viii) a townhouse;
(ix) a multiplex; and
(x) any other structure with not less than 2 dwelling units that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means--
(A) a unit of general local government, as defined in section 102(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a));
(B) a municipal membership organization; and
(C) an Indian tribe, as defined in section 102(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)).
(4) High opportunity area.--The term "high opportunity area" has the meaning given the term in section 1282.1 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(5) Infill development.--The term "infill development" means residential development on small parcels in previously established areas for replacement with new or refurbished housing that utilizes existing utilities and infrastructure.
(6) Mixed-income housing.--The term "mixed-income housing" means a housing development that is comprised of housing units that promote differing levels of affordability in the community.
(7) Prereviewed designs.--The term "prereviewed designs", also known as pattern books, means sets of construction plans that are assessed and approved by localities for compliance with local building and permitting standards to streamline and expedite approval pathways for housing construction.
(8) Rural area.--The term "rural area" means any area other than a city or town that has a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants.
(9) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Authority.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants to eligible entities utilizing funds appropriated for such purpose to select prereviewed designs of covered structures of mixed-income housing for use in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, except that such grant awards may not be used for construction, alteration, or repair work.
(c) Considerations.--In reviewing applications submitted by eligible entities for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall consider--
(1) the need for affordable housing in the service area of the eligible entity;
(2) the presence of high opportunity areas in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity;
(3) coordination between the eligible entity and a State agency; and
(4) coordination between the eligible entity and State, local, and regional transportation planning authorities.
(d) Set-aside for Rural Areas.--Of the amount made available in each fiscal year for grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 10 percent shall be used for grants to eligible entities that are located in rural areas.
(e) Reports.--The Secretary shall require eligible entities receiving grants under this section to report on--
(1) the impacts of the activities carried out using the grant amounts in improving the production and supply of affordable housing;
(2) the prereviewed designs selected using the grant amounts in their communities;
(3) the number of permits issued for housing development utilizing prereviewed designs; and
(4) the number of housing units produced in developments utilizing the prereviewed designs.
(f) Availability of Information.--The Secretary shall--
(1) to the extent possible, encourage localities to make publicly available through a website information on the prereviewed designs selected and submitted to the Secretary by eligible entities receiving grants under this section, including information on the benefits of use of those designs; and
(2) collect, identify, and disseminate best practices regarding such designs and make such information publicly available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(g) Design Adoption and Repayment.--The Secretary may require an eligible entity to return to the Secretary any grant funds received under this section if the selected prereviewed designs submitted under this section have not been adopted during the 5-year period following receipt of the grant, unless that period is extended by the Secretary.
(h) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may set aside not more than 5 percent of amounts appropriated in a fiscal year to provide technical assistance to grant recipients under this section and pregrant technical assistance to prospective applicants.
SEC. 210. REVITALIZING EMPTY STRUCTURES INTO DESIRABLE
ENVIRONMENTS (RESIDE) ACT.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12741 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 227.
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REVITALIZING EMPTY STRUCTURES INTO DESIRABLE
ENVIRONMENTS.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Attainable housing.--The term `attainable housing' means housing that serves households earning not more than 120 percent of the area median income, if the majority of the housing units are affordable to households earning not more than 60 percent of the area median income.
"(2) Converted housing unit.--The term `converted housing unit' means a housing unit that is created using a covered grant.
"(3) Covered grant.--The term `covered grant' means a grant awarded under the Pilot Program.
"(4) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a participating jurisdiction.
"(5) Pilot program.--The term `Pilot Program' means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
"(6) Vacant and abandoned building.--The term `vacant and abandoned building' means a property--
"(A) that was constructed for use as a warehouse, factory, mall, strip mall, or hotel, or for another industrial or commercial use; and
"(B)(i) with respect to which--
"(I) a code enforcement inspection has determined that the property is not safe; and
"(II) not less than 90 days have elapsed since the owner was notified of the deficiencies in the property and the owner has taken no corrective action; or
"(ii) that is subject to a court-ordered receivership or nuisance abatement related to abandonment pursuant to State or local law or otherwise meets the definition of an abandoned property under State law.
"(b) Purpose of Grant Program.--Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this subsection, the Secretary is authorized to establish a pilot program, spanning from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, which shall have the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to convert vacant and abandoned buildings into attainable housing.
"(c) Amount of Grant.--
"(1) In general.--For any fiscal year for which not less than $100,000,000 is made available to carry out the Pilot Program, the amount of a covered grant shall be not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $10,000,000.
"(2) Fiscal years with lower funding.--For any fiscal year for which less than $100,000,000 is made available to carry out the Pilot Program pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary shall seek to maximize the number of covered grants awarded.
"(d) Relation to Formula Allocation.--A covered grant awarded to an eligible entity shall be in addition to, and shall not affect, the formula allocation for the eligible entity under section 217.
"(e) Priority.--In awarding covered grants, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that--
"(1) will use the covered grant in a community that is experiencing economic distress;
"(2) will use the covered grant in a qualified opportunity zone (as defined in section 1400Z-1(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986);
"(3) will use the covered grant to construct housing that will serve a need identified in the comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development plan of the eligible entity under part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation (commonly referred to as a `consolidated plan'); or
"(4) has enacted ordinances to reduce regulatory barriers to conversion of vacant and abandoned buildings to housing, which shall not include any alteration of an ordinance that governs safety and habitability.
"(f) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity may use a covered grant for--
"(1) property acquisition;
"(2) demolition;
"(3) health hazard remediation;
"(4) site preparation;
"(5) construction, renovation, or rehabilitation; or
"(6) the establishment, maintenance, or expansion of community land trusts or housing cooperatives.
"(g) Waiver Authority.--In administering covered grants, the Secretary may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use by eligible entities of covered grant funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, or the environment) if the Secretary makes a public finding that good cause exists for the waiver or alternative requirement.
"(h) Study; Report.--Not later than 180 days after the termination of the Pilot Program, the Secretary shall study and submit to Congress a report on the impact of the Pilot Program on--
"(1) improving the tax base of local communities;
"(2) increasing access to affordable housing, especially for elderly individuals, disabled individuals, and veterans;
"(3) increasing home-ownership; and
"(4) removing blight.".
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (Public Law 101-625; 104 Stat. 4079) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 226 the following:
"Sec. 227. Revitalizing empty structures into desirable environments.".
SEC. 211. HOUSING AFFORDABILITY ACT.
(a) In General.--Title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 206A (12 U.S.C. 1712a)--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter following paragraph (7), by striking "(commencing in 2004" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: ", commencing on July 1, 2025. The adjustment of the Dollar Amounts shall be calculated by the Secretary using the percentage change in the Price Deflator Index of Multifamily Residential Units Under Construction released by the Bureau of the Census from March of the previous year to March of the year in which the adjustment is made, or by the Secretary using an alternative indicator after publishing information about such alternative indicator in the Federal Register for public comment if the Price Deflator Index of Multifamily Residential Units Under Construction is not available or published."; and
(B) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) Publication.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register any adjustments made to the Dollar Amounts.
"(2) Rounding.--The dollar amount of any adjustment described in paragraph (1) shall be rounded to the next lower dollar.";
(2) in section 207(c)(3)(A) (12 U.S.C. 1713(c)(3)(A))--
(A) by striking "$38,025" and inserting "$167,310";
(B) by striking "$42,120" and inserting "$185,328";
(C) by striking "$50,310" and inserting "$221,364";
(D) by striking "$62,010" and inserting "$272,844";
(E) by striking "$70,200" and inserting "$308,880";
(F) by striking ", or not to exceed $17,460 per space";
(G) by striking "$43,875" and inserting "$193,050";
(H) by striking "$49,140" and inserting "$216,216";
(I) by striking "$60,255" and inserting "$265,122";
(J) by striking "$75,465" and inserting "$332,046"; and
(K) by striking "$85,328" and inserting "$375,443";
(3) in section 213(b)(2) (12 U.S.C. 1715e(b)(2))--
(A) by striking "$41,207" and inserting "$181,311";
(B) by striking "$47,511" and inserting "$209,048";
(C) by striking "$57,300" and inserting "$252,120";
(D) by striking "$73,343" and inserting "$322,709";
(E) by striking "$81,708" and inserting "$359,515";
(F) by striking "$43,875" and inserting "$193,050";
(G) by striking "$49,710" and inserting "$218,724";
(H) by striking "$60,446" and inserting "$265,962";
(I) by striking "$78,197" and inserting "$344,067"; and
(J) by striking "$85,836" and inserting "$377,678";
(4) in section 220(d)(3)(B)(iii)(I) (12 U.S.C. 1715k(d)(3)(B)(iii)(I))--
(A) by striking "$38,025" and inserting "$167,310";
(B) by striking "$42,120" and inserting "$185,328";
(C) by striking "$50,310" and inserting "$221,364";
(D) by striking "$62,010" and inserting "$272,844";
(E) by striking "$70,200" and inserting "$308,880";
(F) by striking "$43,875" and inserting "$193,050";
(G) by striking "$49,140" and inserting "$216,216";
(H) by striking "$60,255" and inserting "$265,122";
(I) by striking "$75,465" and inserting "$332,046"; and
(J) by striking "$85,328" and inserting "$375,443";
(5) in section 221(d)(4)(ii)(I) (12 U.S.C. 1715l(d)(4)(ii)(I))--
(A) by striking "$37,843" and inserting "$166,509";
(B) by striking "$42,954" and inserting "$188,997";
(C) by striking "$51,920" and inserting "$228,448";
(D) by striking "$65,169" and inserting "$286,744";
(E) by striking "$73,846" and inserting "$324,922";
(F) by striking "$40,876" and inserting "$179,854";
(G) by striking "$46,859" and inserting "$206,180";
(H) by striking "$56,979" and inserting "$250,708";
(I) by striking "$73,710" and inserting "$324,324"; and
(J) by striking "$80,913" and inserting "$356,017";
(6) in section 231(c)(2)(A) (12 U.S.C. 1715v(c)(2)(A))--
(A) by striking "$35,978" and inserting "$166,509";
(B) by striking "$40,220" and inserting "$188,997";
(C) by striking "$48,029" and inserting "$228,448";
(D) by striking "$57,798" and inserting "$286,744";
(E) by striking "$67,950" and inserting "$324,922";
(F) by striking "$40,876" and inserting "$179,854";
(G) by striking "$46,859" and inserting "$206,180";
(H) by striking "$56,979" and inserting "$250,708";
(I) by striking "$73,710" and inserting "$324,324"; and
(J) by striking "$80,913" and inserting "$356,017"; and
(7) in section 234(e)(3)(A) (12 U.S.C. 1715y(e)(3)(A))--
(A) by striking "$42,048" and inserting "$185,011";
(B) by striking "$48,481" and inserting "$213,316";
(C) by striking "$58,469" and inserting "$257,263";
(D) by striking "$74,840" and inserting "$329,296";
(E) by striking "$83,375" and inserting "$366,850";
(F) by striking "$44,250" and inserting "$194,700";
(G) by striking "$50,724" and inserting "$223,186";
(H) by striking "$61,680" and inserting "$271,392";
(I) by striking "$79,793" and inserting "$351,089"; and
(J) by striking "$87,588" and inserting "$385,387".
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section may be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to revise the statutory exceptions for high-cost percentage and high-cost areas annual indexing.
(c) Multifamily Loan Limit Study.--The Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall conduct a study to assess the following in comparison to the loan limits prior to the amendments made under this section:
(1) Whether the Commissioner has sufficient authority to increase loan limits for each multifamily mortgage insurance program at appropriate amounts, including to meet market demand.
(2) The impacts that multifamily loan limit increases have had, if any, on--
(A) the General Insurance and Special Risk Insurance Fund;
(B) the change in volume of multifamily purchase and construction lending that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration; and
(C) subject to the availability of data, the year-over-year change over the last 6 years in--
(i) median and average lending costs as well as rent and house prices within the multifamily housing market; and
(ii) multifamily housing supply, including the number of building permits issued as well as housing unit starts and completions.
(d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration shall submit to Congress a report summarizing the findings of the Commissioner for the study conducted under subsection (b).
SEC. 212. RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
The language under the heading "Rental Assistance Demonstration" in the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-55; 125 Stat.
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673) is amended--
(1) in the second proviso, by striking "until September 30, 2029" and inserting "for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter";
(2) in the fourth proviso, by striking "455,000" and inserting "555,000";
(3) in the twentieth proviso, as so designated before the date of enactment of this Act, by striking "or other means:" and inserting "or other means, including the adoption of a mandatory tenant lease and management plan addendum for a property with assistance converted, if not otherwise covered by another program, under this demonstration:"; and
(4) by striking "vouchers to project-based vouchers." and inserting "vouchers to project-based vouchers: Provided further, That the Secretary shall annually assess and publish findings regarding the impact of the conversion of assistance under the First Component of the demonstration with respect to the preservation and improvement of public housing, the amount of private sector leveraging resulting from such conversion transactions, the prevalence of pre-conversion residents remaining in or returning to the property following conversion, and the effect of such conversion on tenants, including the impact of such conversion on the rights maintained by tenants as enumerated in regulations and other documents conferring rights upon tenants as developed by the Secretary, and other matters the Secretary may determine appropriate: Provided further, That the Secretary may take remediative action or impose civil money penalties or other administrative sanctions for material violations of a requirement under the First and Second Components of this demonstration: Provided further, That nothing in the matter under this heading shall be construed to diminish, impair, or otherwise negatively affect the Rental Assistance Demonstration property rights of owners or rights of tenants, which shall remain enforceable by tenants, as enumerated in current law, regulations, and other agency guidance or notices as it relates to properties converted under the First and Second Components of the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program; Provided further, That any property owned by the public housing agency shall be used to replace, create, preserve, improve, or expand affordable housing supply, including as part of mixed use developments, and no conversion under the Rental Assistance Demonstration shall be used for sporting, private, or for-profit purposes, excluding those which maintain or expand housing supply which may use an affordable housing tax credit or other housing affordability program.".
SEC. 213. BUILD NOW ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered recipient.--The term "covered recipient" means a metropolitan city or urban county, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302), that receives funds under section 106.
(2) Current annual growth rate.--The term "current annual growth rate", with respect to an eligible recipient and a fiscal year, means the average annual percentage increase in the number of housing units in the jurisdiction of the eligible recipient, as calculated by the Secretary, during the period--
(A) beginning with the third quarter of the sixth preceding fiscal year; and
(B) ending with the third quarter of the preceding fiscal year.
(3) Eligible recipient.--The term "eligible recipient" means any covered recipient unless--
(A)(i) the median Small Area Fair Market Rent in the jurisdiction of the covered recipient is at or below the 60th percentile of median Small Area Fair Market Rents in the jurisdictions of all covered recipients; and
(ii) the median home value in the jurisdiction of the covered recipient is below the median home value for the United States;
(B) the annual rental vacancy rate in the jurisdiction of the covered recipient is greater than the national annual rental vacancy rate for the most recent year available, as published by the Bureau of the Census;
(C) during the 3-year period preceding the date on which the Secretary allocates funds under section 106, the jurisdiction of the covered recipient has been the subject of a major disaster or emergency declaration under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191); or
(D) the covered recipient lacks the legal authority to enact or update zoning and permitting ordinances.
(4) Extremely high-growth recipient.--The term "extremely high-growth recipient" means an eligible recipient for which the current annual growth rate is at or above 4 percent.
(5) Housing growth improvement rate.--The term "housing growth improvement rate", with respect to an eligible recipient and a fiscal year, means the quotient of--
(A)(i) the current annual growth rate of the eligible recipient, minus
(ii) the prior annual growth rate of the eligible recipient; and
(B) the sum obtained by adding the absolute values of the current annual growth rate and the prior annual growth rate of the eligible recipient.
(6) Prior annual growth rate.--The term "prior annual growth rate", with respect to an eligible recipient and a fiscal year, means the average annual percentage increase in the number of housing units in the jurisdiction of the eligible recipient, as calculated by the Secretary, during the period--
(A) beginning with the third quarter of the 11th preceding fiscal year; and
(B) ending with the third quarter of the sixth preceding fiscal year.
(7) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(8) Section 106.--The term "section 106" means section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306).
(b) Adjustments to Community Development Block Grant Allocations.--
(1) In general.--In allocating amounts to an eligible recipient under section 106 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall adjust the allocation based on the housing growth improvement rate of the eligible recipient, in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) Adjustments.--
(A) Housing growth improvement rate at or above median; extremely high-growth recipients.--
(i) In general.--If, with respect to a fiscal year for which the allocation under section 106 is being determined, the housing growth improvement rate for an eligible recipient is at or above the median housing growth improvement rate for all eligible recipients other than extremely high-growth recipients, or if an eligible recipient is an extremely high-growth recipient, the Secretary shall allocate to the eligible recipient for that fiscal year, in addition to the amount that would otherwise be allocated to the eligible recipient under section 106, a bonus amount, as determined under clause (ii) of this subparagraph.
(ii) Bonus amount.--For purposes of clause (i), the bonus amount for an eligible recipient for a fiscal year shall be equal to the product of--
(I) the aggregate amount by which allocations to eligible recipients are decreased under subparagraph (B) for that fiscal year; and
(II) the quotient of--
(aa) the difference in the number of housing units, between the third quarter of the second preceding fiscal year and the third quarter of the preceding fiscal year, in the jurisdiction of the eligible recipient, as calculated by the Secretary; and
(bb) the difference in the number of housing units, between the third quarter of the second preceding fiscal year and the third quarter of the preceding fiscal year, in the jurisdictions of all eligible recipients that receive a bonus amount under this paragraph, as calculated by the Secretary.
(B) Housing growth improvement rate below median.--If, with respect to a fiscal year for which the allocation under section
106 is being determined, the housing growth improvement rate for an eligible recipient is below the median housing growth improvement rate for all eligible recipients other than high-growth outliers, the Secretary shall decrease the amount that would otherwise be allocated to the eligible recipient under section 106 for that fiscal year by 10 percent.
(c) Calculation of Housing Units.--
(1) Housing and urban development requirements.--In calculating the number of housing units in the jurisdiction of an eligible recipient under any provision of this section, the Secretary shall--
(A) use the Current Address Count Listing Files and other data products, as needed, of the Bureau of the Census tabulated from the Master Address File; and
(B) make calculations at the block level, using boundaries that reflect the most current boundaries.
(2) Census bureau and postal service requirements.--The Bureau of the Census and the United States Postal Service shall provide any relevant data to the Secretary upon request to assist the Secretary in making a calculation described in paragraph (1).
(3) Adjustment of calculation periods.--The Secretary may adjust the calculation periods under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(2), subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(6), and items (aa) and (bb) of subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii)(II) by not more than 2 months to achieve alignment with the data provided by the Bureau of the Census.
(d) Annual Report on Housing Growth Improvement Rate.--Before allocating funds under section 106 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish a report that--
(1) includes the housing growth improvement rate for each eligible recipient; and
(2) lists, for the most recent fiscal year for which allocations were made under section 106--
(A) the eligible recipients that received a bonus amount under subsection (b)(2)(A); and
(B) the eligible recipients for which the allocation under section 106 was decreased under subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section.
(e) Notification; Implementation Dates.--
(1) Notification.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall notify each eligible recipient of the recipient's housing growth improvement rate and whether that housing growth improvement rate is above, at, or below the median housing growth improvement rate for all eligible recipients other than extremely high-growth recipients.
(B) Guidance.--As part of the notification under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall share guidance, including resources developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on best practices and recommendations for policies to reduce regulatory barriers to housing and increase housing supply.
(2) Implementation dates.--Subsection (b) shall take effect beginning with the third full fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act and remain in effect through fiscal year 2043.
(3) No effect on previous appropriations.--This section shall not apply to amounts appropriated before the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 301. HOUSING SUPPLY EXPANSION ACT.
(a) In General.--Section 603(6) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402(6)) is amended by striking "on a permanent chassis" and inserting "with or without a permanent chassis".
(b) Standards for Manufactured Homes Built Without a Permanent Chassis.--Section 604(a) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5403(a)) is amended by adding the following:
"(7) Standards for manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the consensus committee, shall issue revised standards for manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis using the process described in paragraph (4).
"(B) Creating final standards.--The Secretary shall, after consulting and conferring with the consensus committee, establish standards to ensure that manufactured homes without a permanent chassis have--
"(i) a distinct label, with revenue generated to be deposited into the Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund established under section 620(e)(1), to be issued by the Secretary distinguishing manufactured home built without a permanent chassis from manufactured homes built on a permanent chassis;
"(ii) a data plate, as described in section 3280.5 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), distinguishing manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis from manufactured homes built on a permanent chassis; and
"(iii) a notation on any invoice produced by the manufacturer of a manufactured home that is distinguishable from the invoice for a manufactured home constructed with a permanent chassis.".
(c) Manufactured Home Certifications.--Section 604 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5403) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(i) Manufactured Home Certifications.--
"(1) In general.--
"(A) Initial certification.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a State shall submit to the Secretary an initial certification that the laws and regulations of the State--
"(i) treat any manufactured home in parity with a manufactured home (as defined and regulated by the State); and
"(ii) subject a manufactured home without a permanent chassis to the same laws and regulations of the State as a manufactured home built on a permanent chassis, including with respect to financing, title, insurance, manufacture, sale, taxes, transportation, installation, and other areas as the Secretary determines, after consultation with and approval by the consensus committee, are necessary to give effect to the purpose of this section.
"(B) State plan submission.--Any State plan submitted under section 623(b) shall contain the required State certification under subparagraph (A) and, if contained therein, no additional or State certification under subparagraph (A) or paragraph (3).
"(C) Extended deadline.--With respect to a State with a legislature that meets biennially, the deadline for the submission of the initial certification required under subparagraph (A) shall be 2 years after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
"(D) Late certification.--
"(i) No waiver.--The Secretary may not waive the prohibition described in paragraph (5)(B) with respect to a certification submitted after the deadline under subparagraph (A) or paragraph (3) unless the Secretary approves the late certification.
"(ii) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent a State from submitting the initial certification required under subparagraph (A) after the required deadline under that subparagraph.
"(2) Form of state certification not presented in a state plan.--The initial certification required under paragraph (1)(A), if not submitted with a State plan under paragraph (1)(B), shall contain, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, an attestation by an official that the State has taken the steps necessary to ensure the veracity of the certification required under paragraph (1)(A), including, as necessary, by--
"(A) amending the definition of `manufactured home' in the laws and regulations of the State; and
"(B) directing State agencies to amend the definition of `manufactured home' in regulations.
"(3) Annual recertification.--Not later than a date to be determined by the Secretary each year, a State shall submit to the Secretary an additional certification that--
"(A) confirms the accuracy of the initial certification submitted under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1); and
"(B) certifies that any new laws or regulations enacted or adopted by the State since the date of the previous certification do not change the veracity of the initial certification submitted under paragraph (1)(A).
"(4) List.--The Secretary shall publish and maintain in the Federal Register and on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development a list of States that are up to date with the submission of initial and subsequent certifications required under this subsection.
"(5) Prohibition.--
"(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `covered manufactured home' means a home that is--
"(i) not considered a manufactured home under the laws and regulations of a State because the home is constructed without a permanent chassis;
"(ii) considered a manufactured home under the definition of the term in section 603; and
"(iii) constructed after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
"(B) Building, installation, and sale.--If a State does not submit a certification under paragraph (1)(A) or (3) by the date on which those certifications are required to be submitted--
"(i) with respect to a State in which the State administers the installation of manufactured homes, the State shall prohibit the manufacture, installation, or sale of a covered manufactured home within the State; and
"(ii) with respect to a State in which the Secretary administers the installation of manufactured homes, the State and the Secretary shall prohibit the manufacture, installation, or sale of a covered manufactured home within the State.".
(d) Other Federal Laws Regulating Manufactured Homes.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may coordinate with the heads of other Federal agencies to ensure that Federal agencies treat a manufactured home (as defined in Federal laws and regulations other than section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402)) in the same manner as a manufactured home (as defined in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402), as amended by this Act).
(2) Energy efficiency standards.--
(A) Manufactured home defined.--In this paragraph, the term "manufactured home"
has the meaning given the term in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402), as amended by this Act.
(B) Process.--No energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes developed by any Federal agency shall have legal effect unless and until adopted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the consensus standards and regulatory development process described in section 604(a)(2) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5403(a)(2)).
(C) Minimum standards.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall--
(i) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, adopt minimum energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes; and
(ii) not less frequently than once every 3 years after adopting the standards under clause (i), update those standards.
(e) Assistance to States.--Section 609 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5408) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) model guidance to support the submission of the certification required under section 604(i).".
(f) Preemption.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section may be construed as limiting the scope of Federal preemption under section 604(d) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5403(d)).
SEC. 302. MODULAR HOUSING PRODUCTION ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Manufactured home.--The term "manufactured home" has the meaning given the term in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402).
(2) Modular home.--The term "modular home" means a home that is constructed in a factory in 1 or more modules, each of which meets applicable State and local building codes of the area in which the home will be located, and that are transported to the home building site, installed on foundations, and completed.
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) FHA Construction Financing Programs.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a review of Federal Housing Administration construction financing programs to identify barriers to the use of modular home methods.
(2) Requirements.--In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) identify and evaluate regulatory and programmatic features that restrict participation in construction financing programs by modular home developers, including construction draw schedules; and
(B) identify administrative measures authorized under section 525 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1735f-3) to facilitate program utilization by modular home developers.
(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a report that describes the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1), which shall include a description of programmatic and policy changes that the Secretary recommends to reduce or eliminate identified barriers to the use of modular home methods in Federal Housing Administration construction financing programs.
(4) Rulemaking.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Secretary publishes the report under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking to examine an alternative draw schedule for construction financing loans provided to modular and manufactured home developers, which shall include the ability for interested stakeholders to provide robust public comment.
(B) Determination.--Following the period for public comment under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
(i) issue a final rule regarding an alternative draw schedule described in subparagraph (A); or
(ii) provide an explanation as to why the rule shall not become final.
(c) Standardized Uniform Commercial Code for Modular Homes.--The Secretary may award a grant to study the design and feasibility of a standardized uniform commercial code for modular homes, which shall evaluate--
(1) the utility of a standardized coding system for serializing and securing modules, streamlining design and construction, and improving modular home innovation; and
(2) a means to coordinate a standardized code with financing incentives.
SEC. 303. PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT AND MANUFACTURED HOUSING LOAN
MODERNIZATION ACT.
(a) National Housing Act Amendments.--
(1) In general.--Section 2 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
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1703) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by inserting "construction of additional or accessory dwelling units, as defined by the Secretary," after "energy conserving improvements,"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
"(A) $75,000 if made for the purpose of financing alterations, repairs, and improvements upon or in connection with an existing single-family structure, including a manufactured home;";
(II) in subparagraph (B)--
(aa) by striking "$60,000" and inserting "$150,000"; (bb) by striking "$12,000" and inserting "$37,500"; and (cc) by striking "an apartment house or";
(III) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the following:
"(C)(i) $106,405 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a single-section manufactured home; and
"(ii) $195,322 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a multi-section manufactured home;
"(D)(i) $149,782 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a single-section manufactured home and a suitably developed lot on which to place the home; and
"(ii) $238,699 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a multi-section manufactured home and a suitably developed lot on which to place the home;";
(IV) in subparagraph (E)--
(aa) by striking "$23,226" and inserting "$43,377"; and
(bb) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(V) in subparagraph (F), by striking "and" at the end;
(VI) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(VII) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:
"(H) such principal amount as the Secretary may prescribe if made for the purpose of financing the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.";
(ii) in the matter immediately preceding paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking "regulation" and inserting "notice";
(II) by striking "increase" and inserting "set";
(III) by striking "(A)(ii), (C), (D), and (E)" and inserting "(A) through (H)";
(IV) by inserting ", or as necessary to achieve the goals of the Federal Housing Administration, periodically reset the dollar amount limitations in subparagraphs (A) through (H) based on justification and methodology set forth in advance by regulation" before the period at the end; and
(V) by adjusting the margins appropriately;
(iii) in paragraph (3), by striking "exceeds--" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting "exceeds such period of time as determined by the Secretary, not to exceed 30 years.";
(iv) by striking paragraph (9) and inserting the following:
"(9) Annual indexing of certain dollar amount limitations.--The Secretary shall develop or choose 1 or more methods of indexing in order to annually set the loan limits established in paragraph (1), based on data the Secretary determines is appropriate for purposes of this section."; and
(v) in paragraph (11), by striking "lease--" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting "lease meets the terms and conditions established by the Secretary".
(2) Deadline for development or choice of new index; interim index.--
(A) Deadline for development or choice of new index.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall develop or choose 1 or more methods of indexing as required under section 2(b)(9) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1703(b)(9)), as amended by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(B) Interim index.--During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date on which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development develops or chooses 1 or more methods of indexing as required under section 2(b)(9) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1703(b)(9)), as amended by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the method of indexing established by the Secretary under such section 2(b)(9) before the date of enactment of this Act shall apply.
(b) HUD Study of Offsite Construction.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Offsite construction housing.--The term "offsite construction housing" includes manufactured homes and modular homes.
(B) Manufactured home.--The term "manufactured home" means any home constructed in accordance with the construction and safety standards established under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.).
(C) Modular home.--The term "modular home" means a home that is constructed in a factory in 1 or more modules, each of which meets applicable State and local building codes of the area in which the home will be located, and that are transported to the home building site, installed on foundations, and completed.
(2) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on the cost effectiveness of offsite construction housing that includes--
(A) an analysis of the advantages and the impact of centralization in a factory and transportation to a construction site on cost, precision, and materials waste;
(B) the extent to which offsite construction housing meets housing quality standards under the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate, or other standards as the Secretary may prescribe, compared to the extent for site-built homes, for such standards;
(C) the expected replacement and maintenance costs over the first 40 years of life of offsite construction homes compared to those costs for site-built homes; and
(D) opportunities for use beyond single-family housing, such as applications in accessory dwelling units, two- to four-unit housing, and large multifamily housing.
SEC. 304. PRICE ACT.
(a) In General.--Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 105(a) (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Activities" and inserting "Unless otherwise authorized under section 123, activities"; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 123. PRESERVATION AND REINVESTMENT FOR COMMUNITY
ENHANCEMENT.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Community development financial institution.--The term `community development financial institution' means an institution that has been certified as a community development financial institution (as defined in section 103 of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702)) by the Secretary of the Treasury.
"(2) Eligible manufactured housing community.--The term `eligible manufactured housing community' means a manufactured housing community that--
"(A) is affordable to low- and moderate-income persons, as determined by the Secretary, but not more than 120 percent of the area median income; and
"(B)(i) is owned by the residents of the manufactured housing community through a resident-controlled entity such as a resident-owned cooperative; or
"(ii) will be maintained as such a community, and remain affordable for low- and moderate-income persons, to the maximum extent practicable and for the longest period feasible.
"(3) Eligible recipient.--The term `eligible recipient' means--
"(A) an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(B) a unit of general local government;
"(C) a housing authority;
"(D) a resident-owned community;
"(E) a resident-owned cooperative;
"(F) a nonprofit entity with housing expertise or a consortium of such entities;
"(G) a community development financial institution;
"(H) an Indian tribe;
"(I) a tribally designated housing entity;
"(J) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands;
"(K) a State; or
"(L) any other entity that is--
"(i) an owner-operator of an eligible manufactured housing community; and
"(ii) working with an eligible manufactured housing community.
"(4) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).
"(5) Manufactured housing community.--The term `manufactured housing community' means--
"(A) any community, court, park, or other land under unified ownership developed and accommodating, or equipped to accommodate, the placement of manufactured homes, where--
"(i) spaces within such community are or will be primarily used for residential occupancy;
"(ii) all homes within the community are used for permanent occupancy; and
"(iii) a majority of such occupied spaces within the community are occupied by manufactured homes, which may include homes constructed prior to enactment of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards; or
"(B) any community that meets the definition of manufactured housing community used for programs similar to the program under this section.
"(6) Resident health, safety, and accessibility activities.--The term `resident health, safety, and accessibility activities' means the reconstruction, repair, or replacement of manufactured housing and manufactured housing communities to--
"(A) protect the health and safety of residents;
"(B) address weatherization and reduce utility costs; or
"(C) address accessibility needs for residents with disabilities.
"(7) Tribally designated housing entity.--The term `tribally designated housing entity' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C.
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4103).
"(b) Establishment.--There is authorized a competitive grant program that the Secretary shall, by notice, carry out to make awards utilizing funds appropriated for such purpose to eligible recipients to carry out eligible projects for development of or improvements to eligible manufactured housing communities.
"(c) Eligible Projects.--
"(1) In general.--Amounts from grants under this section may be used for--
"(A) community infrastructure, facilities, utilities, and other land improvements in or serving an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(B) reconstruction or repair of existing housing within an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(C) replacement of homes within an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(D) planning;
"(E) resident health, safety, and accessibility activities in homes in an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(F) land and site acquisition and infrastructure for expansion or construction of an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(G) resident and community services, including relocation assistance, eviction prevention, and down payment assistance; and
"(H) any other activity that--
"(i) is approved by the Secretary consistent with the requirements under this section;
"(ii) improves the overall living conditions of an eligible manufactured housing community, which may include the addition or enhancement of shared spaces such as community centers, recreational areas, or other facilities that support resident well-being and community engagement; and
"(iii) is necessary to protect the health and safety of the residents of the eligible manufactured housing community and the long-term affordability and sustainability of the community.
"(2) Replacement.--For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1), grants under this section--
"(A) may not be used for rehabilitation or modernization of units that were built before June 15, 1976; and
"(B) may only be used for disposition and replacement of units described in subparagraph (A), provided that any replacement housing complies with the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards or is another allowed type of home, as determined by the Secretary.
"(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize applicants that will carry out activities that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents and preserve long-term housing affordability for residents of eligible manufactured housing communities.
"(e) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive or specify alternative requirements for any provision of law or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with use of amounts made available under this section other than requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment, upon a finding that the waiver or alternative requirement is not inconsistent with the overall purposes of this section and that the waiver or alternative requirement is necessary to facilitate the use of amounts made available under this section.
"(f) Implementation.--
"(1) In general.--Any grant made under this section shall be made pursuant to criteria for selection of recipients of such grants that the Secretary shall by regulation establish and publish together with any notification of availability of amounts under this section.
"(2) Set-aside of grant amounts.--The Secretary may set aside amounts provided under this section for grants to Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
"(g) Sunset.--The program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this section.".
(b) Application.--Grants made under section 123 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (a), after the date of enactment of this Act shall be carried out using amounts appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 401. CREATING INCENTIVES FOR SMALL-DOLLAR LOAN
ORIGINATORS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term "Director" means the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
(2) Small-dollar mortgage.--The term "small-dollar mortgage" means a mortgage loan having an original principal obligation of not more than $100,000 that is--
(A) secured by real property designed for 1 to 4 dwelling units; and
(B)(i) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);
(ii) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(iii) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Agriculture; or
(iv) eligible to be purchased or securitized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association.
(b) Requirement Regarding Loan Originator Compensation Practices.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on loan originator compensation practices throughout the residential mortgage market, including the relative frequency of loan originators being compensated--
(1) with a salary;
(2) with a commission reflecting a fixed percentage of the amount of credit extended;
(3) with a commission based on a factor other than a fixed percentage of the amount of credit extended;
(4) with a combination of salary and commission;
(5) on a loan volume basis; and
(6) with a commission reflecting a percentage of the amount of credit extended, for which a minimum or maximum compensation amount is set.
(c) Community Development Financial Institution Loan Originators.--In carrying out the report required under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies that regulate federally backed small-dollar mortgages and in consultation with the Director of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund established under section 104 of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4703), give due consideration to the practices for compensating loan originators that are employed by or originate loans on behalf of community development financial institutions.
(d) Contents.--The report required under subsection (b) shall include--
(1) data and other analyses regarding the effect of the approaches to loan originator compensation described in subsection (b) on the availability of small-dollar mortgage loans; and
(2) an analysis and a discussion regarding potential barriers to small-dollar mortgage lending.
SEC. 402. SMALL-DOLLAR MORTGAGE POINTS AND FEES.
(a) Small-dollar Mortgage Defined.--In this section, the term "small-dollar mortgage" means a mortgage with an original principal obligation of less than $100,000.
(b) Amendments.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, shall evaluate the impact of the thresholds under section 1026.43 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), on small-dollar mortgage originations.
SEC. 403. APPRAISAL INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT ACT.
(a) Appraisal Standards.--
(1) Certification or licensing.--
(A) In general.--Section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)) is amended--
(i) by moving the paragraph two ems to the left; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:
"(A) be certified or licensed by the State in which the property to be appraised is located, except that a Federal employee who has as their primary duty conducting appraisal-related activities and who chooses to become a State-licensed or certified real estate appraiser need only to be licensed or certified in 1 State or territory to perform appraisals on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration in all States and territories;
"(B) meet the requirements under the competency rule set forth in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice before accepting an assignment; and
"(C) have demonstrated verifiable education in the appraisal requirements established by the Federal Housing Administration under this subsection, which shall include the completion of a course or seminar that educates appraisers on those appraisal requirements, which shall be provided by--
"(i) the Federal Housing Administration; or
"(ii) a third party, if the course is approved by the Secretary or a State appraiser certifying or licensing agency.".
(B) Application.--Subparagraph (C) of section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as added by subparagraph (A), shall not apply with respect to any certified appraiser approved by the Federal Housing Administration to conduct appraisals on property securing a mortgage to be insured by the Federal Housing Administration on or before the effective date described in paragraph (3)(C).
(2) Compliance with verifiable education and competency requirements.--On and after the effective date described in paragraph (3)(C), no appraiser may conduct an appraisal on a property securing a mortgage to be insured by the Federal Housing Administration unless--
(A) the appraiser is in compliance with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as amended by paragraph (1); and
(B) if the appraiser was not approved by the Federal Housing Administration to conduct appraisals on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration before the date on which the mortgagee letter or guidance takes effect under paragraph (3)(C), the appraiser is in compliance with subparagraph (C) of such section 202(g)(5).
(3) Implementation.--Not later than the 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue a mortgagee letter or guidance that--
(A) implements the amendments made by paragraph (1);
(B) clearly sets forth all of the specific requirements under section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as amended by paragraph (1), for approval to conduct appraisals on property secured by a mortgage to be insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which shall include--
(i) providing that, before the effective date of the mortgagee letter or guidance, compliance with the requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of such section 202(g)(5), as amended by paragraph (1), shall be considered to fulfill the requirements under such subparagraphs; and
(ii) providing a method for appraisers to demonstrate such prior compliance; and
(C) takes effect not later than the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary issues the mortgagee letter or guidance.
(b) Annual Registry Fees for Appraisal Management Companies.--Section 1109(a) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3338(a)) is amended, in the matter following clause (ii) of paragraph (4)(B), by adding at the end the following: "Subject to the approval of the Council, the Appraisal Subcommittee may adjust fees established under clause (i) or (ii) to carry out its functions under this Act.".
(c) State Credentialed Trainees.--
(1) Maintenance on national registry.--Section 1103(a) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C.
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3332(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by inserting "and State credentialed trainee appraisers" after "licensed appraisers"; and
(ii) by striking "and" at the end;
(B) by striking paragraph (4);
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(D) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking "year. The report shall also detail" and inserting "year, detailing";
(ii) by striking "provide" and inserting "provides"; and
(iii) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and".
(2) Annual registry fees.--
(A) In general.--Section 1109 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3338) is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "certified or licensed" and inserting ", certified, licensed, and credentialed trainee"; and
(ii) in subsection (a)--
(I) in paragraph (1), by inserting ", and in the case of a State with a supervisory or trainee program, a roster listing individuals who have received a State trainee credential" after "this title"; and
(II) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
"(2) transmit reports on the issuance and renewal of licenses, certifications, credentials, sanctions, and disciplinary actions, including license, credential, and certification revocations, on a timely basis to the national registry of the Appraisal Subcommittee;".
(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in the amendments made by subparagraph (A) shall require a State to establish or operate a program for State credentialed trainee appraisers, as defined in paragraph (12) of section 1121 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, as added by paragraph (4) of this subsection.
(3) Transactions requiring the services of a state certified appraiser.--Section 1113 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3342) is amended--
(A) by striking "In determining" and inserting "(a) In General.--In determining"; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
"(b) Use of State Credentialed Trainee Appraisers.--In performing an appraisal under this section, a State certified appraiser may use the assistance of a State credentialed trainee appraiser or an unlicensed trainee appraiser, except that the State certified appraiser assisted by a trainee shall be liable for appraisal and valuation work.".
(4) Definition.--Section 1121 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3350) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(12) State credentialed trainee appraiser.--The term `State credentialed trainee appraiser' means an individual who--
"(A) meets the minimum criteria established by the Appraiser Qualification Board for a trainee appraiser credential; and
"(B) is credentialed by a State appraiser certifying and licensing agency.".
(d) Grants for Workforce and Training.--Section 1109(b) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3338(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(7) to make grants to State appraiser certifying and licensing agencies and post-secondary institutions, including trade and polytechnic schools, to support the carrying out of education and training activities or other activities related to addressing appraiser industry workforce needs, including recruiting and retaining workforce talent, such as through scholarship assistance and career pipeline development, and such agencies shall report on the use of funds and outcomes.".
(e) Appraisal Subcommittee.--Section 1011 of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3310) is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting "the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Housing and Urban Development," after "Financial Protection,".
SEC. 404. HELPING MORE FAMILIES SAVE ACT.
Section 23 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437u) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(p) Escrow Expansion Pilot Program.--
"(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
"(A) Covered family.--The term `covered family' means a family that receives assistance under section 8 or 9 of this Act and is enrolled in the Pilot Program.
"(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an entity described in subsection (c)(2).
"(C) Pilot program.--The term `Pilot Program' means the Pilot Program established under paragraph (2).
"(D) Welfare assistance.--The term `welfare assistance' has the meaning given the term in section 984.103 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
"(2) Establishment.--The Secretary may establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall select not more than 25 eligible entities to establish and manage escrow accounts for not more than 5,000 covered families, in accordance with this subsection.
"(3) Escrow accounts.--
"(A) In general.--An eligible entity selected to participate in the Pilot Program--
"(i) shall establish an interest-bearing escrow account and place into the account an amount equal to any increase in the amount of rent paid by each covered family in accordance with the provisions of section 3, 8(o), or 8(y), as applicable, that is attributable to increases in earned income by the covered families during the participation of each covered family in the Pilot Program; and
"(ii) notwithstanding any other provision of law, may use funds it controls under section 8 or 9 for purposes of making the escrow deposit for covered families assisted under, or residing in units assisted under, section 8 or 9, respectively, provided such funds are offset by the increase in the amount of rent paid by the covered family.
"(B) Income limitation.--An eligible entity may not escrow any amounts for any covered family whose adjusted income exceeds 80 percent of the area median income at the time of enrollment.
"(C) Withdrawals.--A covered family may withdraw funds, including interest earned, from an escrow account established by an eligible entity under the Pilot Program--
"(i) after the covered family ceases to receive welfare assistance; and
"(ii)(I) not earlier than the date that is 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account under this subsection;
"(II) not later than the date that is 7 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account under this subsection, if the covered family chooses to continue to participate in the Pilot Program after the date that is 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account;
"(III) on the date the covered family ceases to receive housing assistance under section 8 or 9, if such date is earlier than 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account;
"(IV) earlier than 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account, if the covered family is using the funds to advance a self-sufficiency goal as approved by the eligible entity;
"(V) for any reason listed under section 984.303(k) of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations; or
"(VI) under other circumstances in which the Secretary determines an exemption for good cause is warranted.
"(D) Interim recertification.--For purposes of the Pilot Program, a covered family may recertify the income of the covered family multiple times per year at the request of the participating family, as determined by the Secretary, and not less frequently than once per year, unless the eligible entity has established an alternative rent structure with approval from the Secretary.
"(E) Contract or plan.--A covered family is not required to complete a standard contract of participation or an individual training and services plan in order to participate in the Pilot Program.
"(4) Effect of increases in family income.--Any increase in the earned income of a covered family during the enrollment of the family in the Pilot Program may not be considered as income or a resource for purposes of eligibility of the family for other benefits, or amount of benefits payable to the family, under any program administered by the Secretary.
"(5) Application.--
"(A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking to participate in the Pilot Program shall submit to the Secretary an application--
"(i) at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require by notice; and
"(ii) that includes the number of proposed covered families to be served by the eligible entity under this subsection.
"(B) Geographic and entity variety.--The Secretary shall ensure that eligible entities selected to participate in the Pilot Program--
"(i) are located across various States and in both urban and rural areas; and
"(ii) vary by size and type, including both public housing agencies and private owners of projects receiving project-based rental assistance under section 8.
"(6) Notification and opt-out.--An eligible entity participating in the Pilot Program shall--
"(A) notify covered families of their enrollment in the Pilot Program;
"(B) provide covered families with a detailed description of the Pilot Program, including how the Pilot Program will impact their rent and finances;
"(C) inform covered families that the families cannot simultaneously participate in the Pilot Program and the Family Self-Sufficiency program under this section; and
"(D) provide covered families with the ability to elect not to participate in the Pilot Program--
"(i) not less than 2 weeks before the date on which the escrow account is established under paragraph (3); and
"(ii) at any point during the duration of the Pilot Program.
"(7) Maximum rents.--During the term of participation by a covered family in the Pilot Program, the amount of rent paid by the covered family shall be calculated under the rental provisions of section 3 or 8(o), as applicable.
"(8) Pilot program timeline.--
"(A) Awards.--Not later than 1 year after establishing the Pilot Program, the Secretary shall select the eligible entities to participate in the Pilot Program.
"(B) Establishment and term of accounts.--An eligible entity selected to participate in the Pilot Program shall--
"(i) not later than 6 months after selection, establish escrow accounts under paragraph (3) for covered families; and
"(ii) maintain those escrow accounts for not less than 5 years, or until a determination is made for termination with FSS escrow disbursement under section 984.303(k) of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or until the date the family ceases to receive assistance under section 8 or 9, and, at the discretion of the covered family, not more than 7 years after the date on which the escrow account is established.
"(9) Nonparticipation and housing assistance.--
"(A) In general.--Assistance under section 8 or 9 for a family that elects not to participate in the Pilot Program shall not be delayed or denied by reason of such election.
"(B) No termination.--Housing assistance may not be terminated as a consequence of participating, or not participating, in the Pilot Program under this subsection for any period.
"(10) Study.--Not later than 10 years after the date the Secretary selects eligible entities to participate in the Pilot Program under this subsection, the Secretary shall, if awards were made, conduct a study and submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on outcomes for covered families under the Pilot Program, which shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Pilot Program in assisting families to achieve economic independence
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and self-sufficiency, and the impact coaching and supportive services, or the lack thereof, had on individual incomes.
"(11) Waivers.--To allow selected eligible entities to effectively administer the Pilot Program and make the required escrow account deposits under this subsection, the Secretary may waive requirements under this section.
"(12) Termination.--The Pilot Program under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this subsection.
"(13) Eligible uses of appropriations.--Subject to the appropriation of funds, the Secretary may use funds--
"(A) for technical assistance related to implementation of the Pilot Program; and
"(B) to carry out an evaluation of the Pilot Program under paragraph (10).".
SEC. 405. CHOICE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACT.
(a) Satisfaction of Inspection Requirements Through Participation in Other Housing Programs.--Section 8(o)(8) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(I) Satisfaction of inspection requirements through participation in other housing programs.--
"(i) Low-income housing tax credit-financed buildings.--A dwelling unit shall be deemed to meet the inspection requirements under this paragraph if--
"(I) the dwelling unit is in a building, the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of which was done by a building owner who may be eligible for low-income housing credits because the building had been allocated a
housing credit dollar amount under section 42(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or is described in section 42(h)(4) of such Code (concerning buildings that meet a criterion for a certain amount of tax-exempt financing);
"(II) the dwelling unit, during the preceding 12-month period, was physically inspected and satisfied the suitability-for-occupancy requirement in section 42(i)(3)(B)(ii) of such Code; and
"(III) the applicable public housing agency performed the inspection itself or is able to obtain the results of the inspection described in subclause (II).
"(ii) Home investment partnerships program.--A dwelling shall be deemed to meet the inspection requirements under this paragraph if--
"(I) the dwelling unit is assisted under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.);
"(II) the dwelling unit was physically inspected and passed inspection as part of the program described in subclause (I) during the preceding 12-month period; and
"(III) the applicable public housing agency is able to obtain the results of the inspection described in subclause (II).
"(iii) Rural housing service.--A dwelling unit shall be deemed to meet the inspection requirements under this paragraph if--
"(I) the dwelling unit is assisted by the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture;
"(II) the dwelling unit was physically inspected and passed inspection in connection with the assistance described in subclause (I) during the preceding 12-month period; and
"(III) the applicable public housing agency is able to obtain the results of the inspection described in subclause (II).
"(iv) Remote or video inspections.--When complying with inspection requirements for a housing unit located in a rural or small area using assistance under this section, the Secretary may allow a grantee to conduct a remote or video inspection of a unit if the remote or video inspection--
"(I) is thorough;
"(II) does not misrepresent the condition of the unit; and
"(III) provides the information necessary to fully and accurately evaluate the conditions of the unit to ensure that the unit meets the relevant standards.
"(v) Rule of construction.--Nothing in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) shall be construed to affect the operation of a housing program described in, or authorized under a provision of law described in, that clause.".
(b) Pre-approval of Units.--Section 8(o)(8)(A) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(iv) Initial inspection prior to lease agreement.--
"(I) Definition.--In this clause, the term `new landlord' means an owner of a dwelling unit who has not previously entered into a housing assistance payment contract with a public housing agency under this subsection for any dwelling unit.
"(II) Early inspection.--Upon the request of a new landlord, a public housing agency may inspect the dwelling unit owned by the new landlord to determine whether the unit meets the housing quality standards under subparagraph (B) before the unit is selected by a tenant assisted under this subsection.
"(III) Effect.--An inspection conducted under subclause (II) that determines that the dwelling unit meets the housing quality standards under subparagraph (B) shall satisfy this subparagraph and subparagraph (C) if the new landlord enters into a lease agreement with a tenant assisted under this subsection not later than 60 days after the date of the inspection.
"(IV) Information when family is selected.--When a public housing agency selects a family to participate in the tenant-based assistance program under this subsection, the public housing agency shall include in the information provided to the family a list of dwelling units that have been inspected under subclause (II) and determined to meet the housing quality standards under subparagraph (B).".
SEC. 501. HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS REAUTHORIZATION AND
REFORM ACT.
(a) Authorization.--Section 205 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12724) is amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAM.
"The HOME Investment Partnerships Program under subtitle A is hereby authorized.".
(b) Definition of Community Housing Development Organization.--Section 104(6)(B) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704(6)(B)) is amended by striking "significant".
(c) Assistance for Low-income Families.--Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 214(2) (42 U.S.C. 12742(2)), by striking "households that qualify as low-income families" and inserting "families with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area, as determined by the Secretary"; and
(2) in section 271(c) (42 U.S.C. 12821(c))--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "low-income" and inserting "families with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families"; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking "low-income families" and inserting "families with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families".
(d) Choices Made by Participating Jurisdictions.--Section 212(a)(2) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
"(2) Limitation.--The Secretary may not restrict the choice by a participating jurisdiction of rehabilitation, substantial rehabilitation, new construction, reconstruction, acquisition, or other eligible housing uses authorized in paragraph (1) unless the restriction is explicitly authorized under section 223(2).".
(e) Use of Amounts by Certain Jurisdictions for Infrastructure Improvements.--
(1) In general.--Section 212(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
"(4) Infrastructure improvements in nonentitlement areas.--
"(A) In general.--A participating jurisdiction may use funds provided under this subtitle for infrastructure improvements, including the installation or repair of water and sewer lines, sidewalks, roads, and utility connections if--
"(i) such participating jurisdiction does not receive assistance under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5310); and
"(ii) such improvements are directly related to, and located within or immediately adjacent to--
"(I) housing assisted under this subtitle; or
"(II) housing assisted under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
"(B) Application of labor standards.--The labor standards and requirements set forth in section 110 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5310) shall apply to any infrastructure improvement conducted using funds provided under this subtitle.
"(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to impose any requirements of the HOME Investment Partnerships program on housing that benefits from an infrastructure improvement conducted using funds provided under this subtitle but was not otherwise assisted under the HOME Investment Partnerships program.".
(2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue rules to carry out the amendment made by paragraph (1).
(f) Per Unit Investment Limitations.--Section 212(e)(1) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(e)(1)) is amended by striking the second sentence.
(g) Affordable Rental Housing Qualifications.--Section 215(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12745(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(7) Qualification exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A), a rental unit shall be considered to qualify as affordable housing under this title if--
"(A) the unit is occupied by a tenant receiving tenant-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);
"(B) the contribution of the tenant toward rent does not exceed the amount permitted under the assistance described in subparagraph (A); and
"(C) the total rent for the unit does not exceed the amount approved by the public housing agency administering the assistance described in subparagraph (A).".
(h) Affordable Home-ownership Housing Qualifications.--Section 215 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
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12745) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; and
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(D) by striking "Housing that is for home-ownership" and inserting the following:
"(1) Qualification.--Housing that is for home-ownership";
(E) in paragraph (1), as so designated--
(i) in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated--
(I) by striking "95 percent" and inserting "110 percent"; and
(II) by inserting "(defined as the amount borrowed by the homebuyer to purchase the home, or the estimated value after rehabilitation, which may be adjusted to account for the limits on future value imposed by the resale restriction)" after "purchase price";
(ii) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "whose family qualifies as a low-income family" and inserting "with a family income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families";
(iii) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated--
(I) in clause (i)(II)--
(aa) by striking "low-income home-buyers" and inserting "home-buyers with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families"; and
(bb) by striking "or" at the end;
(II) in clause (ii), by striking "and" at the end and inserting "or"; and
(III) by adding at the end the following:
"(iii) maintain long-term affordability through a shared equity ownership model, a community land trust, a limited equity cooperative, a community development corporation, or other mechanism approved by the Secretary, that preserves affordability for future eligible home-buyers and ensures compliance with the purposes of this title, including through the use of purchase options, rights of first refusal, or other preemptive rights to purchase housing;";
(iv) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
"(E) is subject to restrictions that are established by the participating jurisdiction and determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, including with respect to the useful life of the property, to--
"(i) require that any subsequent purchase of the property be--
"(I) only by a person who meets the qualifications specified under subparagraph (B); and
"(II) at a price that is determined by a formula or method established by the participating jurisdiction that provides the owner with a reasonable return on investment, which may include a percentage of the cost of any improvements; or
"(ii) recapture the investment provided under this title in order to assist other persons in accordance with the requirements of this title, except where there are no net proceeds or where the net proceeds are insufficient to repay the full amount of the assistance."; and
(F) by adding at the end the following:
"(2) Purchase by community land trust or cooperative housing corporation.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (C)(i) of paragraph (1) and under terms determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may permit a participating jurisdiction to allow a community land trust, housing cooperative, or a community development corporation that used assistance provided under this subtitle for the development of housing that meets the criteria under paragraph (1), to acquire the housing--
"(A) in accordance with the terms of the preemptive purchase option, lease, covenant on the land, or other similar legal instrument of the community land trust or housing cooperative when the terms and rights in the preemptive purchase option, lease, covenant, or legal instrument are and remain subject to the requirements of this title;
"(B) when the purchase is for--
"(i) the purpose of--
"(I) entering into the chain of title;
"(II) enabling a purchase by a person who meets the qualifications specified under paragraph (1)(B) and is on a waitlist maintained by the community land trust or housing cooperative, subject to enforcement by the participating jurisdiction of all applicable requirements of this title, as determined by the Secretary;
"(III) performing necessary rehabilitation and improvements; or
"(IV) adding a subsidy to preserve affordability, which may be from Federal or non-Federal sources; or
"(ii) another purpose determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
"(C) if, within a reasonable period of time after the applicable purpose under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph is fulfilled, as determined by the Secretary, the housing is then sold to a person who meets the qualifications specified under paragraph (1)(B)."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(c) Qualification Exceptions for Home-ownership.--
"(1) Military members.--A participating jurisdiction, in accordance with terms established by the Secretary, may suspend or waive the income qualifications described in subsection (b)(1)(B) with respect to housing that otherwise meets the criteria described in subsection (b)(1) if the owner of the housing--
"(A) is a member of a regular component of the armed forces or a member of the National Guard on full-time National Guard duty, active Guard and Reserve duty, or inactive-duty training (as those terms are defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code); and
"(B) has received--
"(i) temporary duty orders to deploy with a military unit or military orders to deploy as an individual acting in support of a military operation, to a location that is not within a reasonable distance from the housing, as determined by the Secretary, for a period of not less than 90 days; or
"(ii) orders for a permanent change of station.
"(2) Heirs and beneficiaries of deceased owners.--Housing that meets the criteria described in subsection (b)(1)(C) prior to the death of an owner of such housing shall continue to qualify as affordable housing under this title if--
"(A) the housing is the principal residence of an heir or beneficiary of the deceased owner, as defined by the Secretary; and
"(B) the heir or beneficiary, in accordance with terms established by the Secretary, assumes the duties and obligations of the deceased owner with respect to funds provided under this title.".
(i) Elimination of Expiration of Right to Draw Home Investment Trust Funds.--Section 218 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12748) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (g); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
(j) Adjusted Recapture and Reuse of Set-aside for Community Housing Developmental Organizations.--Section 231(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12771(b)) is amended to read as follows:
"(b) Recapture and Reuse.--If any funds reserved under subsection (a) remain uninvested for a period of 24 months, the Secretary shall make such funds available to the participating jurisdiction for any eligible activities under this title without regard to whether a community housing development organization materially participates in the use of such funds.".
(k) Asset Recycling Information Dissemination Expansion.--Section 245(b)(2) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12785(b)(2)) is amended by striking "95 percent" and inserting "110 percent".
(l) Environmental Review Requirements.--
(1) In general.--Section 288 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12838) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(e) Categorical Exemptions.--The following categories of activities carried out under this title shall be statutorily exempt from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and shall not require further review under such Act:
"(1) New construction infill housing projects.
"(2) Acquisition of real property for affordable housing purposes.
"(3) Rehabilitation projects carried out pursuant to section 212(a)(1).
"(4) New construction projects of 15 units or less.
"(f) Removing Duplicative Reviews.--
"(1) In general.--To the extent practicable and permitted by law, the Secretary shall ensure that a project that has undergone an environmental review under this section shall not be subject to a duplicative environmental review solely due to the addition, substitution, or reallocation of other sources of Federal assistance, if the scope, scale, and location of the project remain substantially unchanged.
"(2) Coordination of environmental review responsibilities.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, provide for coordination of environmental review responsibilities with other Federal agencies to streamline interagency compliance and avoid unnecessary duplication of effort under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other applicable laws.
"(3) Recognition of prior reviews by responsible entities.--A project may not be subject to an environmental review under this section if a substantially similar review has already been completed by an entity designated under section 104(g)(1) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(1)) or by another entity the Secretary determines to have equivalent authority, if the scope, scale, and location of the project remain substantially unchanged.".
(2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such rules as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the amendment made by this subsection.
(3) Applicability.--Any activity generated under this subsection would be subject to an authorization of appropriations.
(4) Definition.--Section 104 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704) is amended by striking paragraph (25) and inserting the following:
"(25) The term `infill housing project' means a residential housing project that--
"(A) is located within the geographic limits of a municipality;
"(B) is adequately served by existing utilities and public services as required under applicable law;
"(C) is located on a site of previously disturbed land of not more than 5 acres; and
"(D) is substantially surrounded by residential or commercial development, as determined by the Secretary.".
(m) Application of Build America, Buy America Requirements for Home Investment Partnerships Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this subsection referred to as the "Secretary") shall complete a review of the implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act (title IV of division G of Public Law 117-58; 42 U.S.C. 8301 note) with respect
to the activities assisted under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.).
(2) Updated guidance.--Not later than 90 days after the review described in subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary shall issue updated guidance to clarify the application of the Build America, Buy America Act (title IV of division G of Public Law 117-58; 42 U.S.C. 8301 note) with respect to the activities assisted under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
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12721 et seq.).
(3) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a report that describes--
(A) the results of the review required under subsection (a); and
(B) the guidance issued as described in subsection (b).
(n) Application of Other Specified Statutory Requirements.--Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 291. NONAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR
SMALL PROJECTS.
"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the requirements of section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u), and any implementing regulations or guidance, shall not apply to an activity assisted under this title that involves rehabilitation, construction, or other development of housing if--
"(1) the recipient of assistance under this title is--
"(A) a State recipient pursuant to section 216; or
"(B) a participating jurisdiction that received a total allocation of less than $3,000,000 in the most recent fiscal year pursuant to section 216; and
"(2) the total number of dwelling units assisted as a part of such activity is not more than 50.".
(o) Reallocation Not Available for Certain Jurisdictions.--Section 217(d) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12747(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: "Subject to paragraph (4), jurisdictions eligible for such reallocations shall include participating jurisdictions and jurisdictions meeting the requirements of this title, including the requirements in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of section 216."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(4) Reallocation not available for certain jurisdictions.--The Secretary may decline to make a reallocation available to a jurisdiction eligible for such reallocation if such jurisdiction has failed to meet or comply with any requirement under this title.".
(p) Amendments to Qualification as Affordable Housing.--Section 215(a)(1)(E) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12745(a)) is amended by striking "except upon a foreclosure by a lender (or upon other transfer in lieu of foreclosure) if such action (i) recognizes any contractual or legal rights of public agencies, nonprofit sponsors, or others to take actions that would avoid termination of low-income affordability in the case of foreclosure or transfer in lieu of foreclosure, and (ii) is not for the purpose of avoiding low-income affordability restrictions, as determined by the Secretary; and" and inserting the following: "except--
"(i) upon a foreclosure by a lender (or upon other transfer in lieu of foreclosure) if such action--
"(I) recognizes any contractual or legal rights of public agencies, nonprofit sponsors, or others to take actions that would avoid termination of low-income affordability in the case of foreclosure or transfer in lieu of foreclosure; and
"(II) is not for the purpose of avoiding low-income affordability restrictions, as determined by the Secretary; or
"(ii) where existing affordable housing is no longer financially viable due to unforeseen acts or occurrences beyond the reasonable contemplation or control of the participating jurisdiction in which the affordable housing is located or the owner of the affordable housing that significantly impact the financial or physical condition of the affordable housing, as determined by the Secretary; and".
(q) Tenant and Participant Protections for Affordable Housing.--Section 225 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12755) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(e) Exception.--Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (d) shall not apply to housing under this section that meets the following criteria:
"(1) The housing is affordable housing with not more than 4 dwelling units, each of which is made available for rental.
"(2) Each dwelling unit in the housing bears rent in an amount that complies with the requirements described in paragraph (1)(A).
"(3) Each dwelling unit in the housing is accompanied by a low-income family.
"(4) No dwelling in the housing is refused for leasing to a holder of a voucher under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) because of the status of the prospective tenant as a holder of that voucher.
"(5) The housing complies with the requirement described in paragraph (1)(E).
"(6) The participating jurisdiction in which the housing is located monitors the compliance of the housing with the requirements of this title in a manner consistent with the purposes of section 226(b), as determined by the Secretary.".
(r) Revision of Definition of Community Land Trust.--Section 104 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704), as amended by subsection (l)(4), is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(26) The term `community land trust' means a nonprofit entity, a State, a unit of local government, or an instrumentality of a State or unit of local government that--
"(A) is not managed by, or an affiliate of, a for profit organization;
"(B) has as a primary purpose of acquiring, developing, or holding land to provide housing that is permanently affordable to low- and moderate-income persons;
"(C) monitors properties to ensure affordability is preserved;
"(D) provides housing that is permanently affordable to low- and moderate-income persons using a ground lease, deed covenant, or other similar legally enforceable measure, determined acceptable by the Secretary, that--
"(i) keeps housing affordable to low- and moderate-income persons for not less than 30 years; and
"(ii) enables low- and moderate-income persons to rent or purchase the housing for home-ownership; and
"(E) maintains preemptive purchase options to purchase the property if such purchase would allow the housing to remain affordable to low-and moderate-income persons.".
(s) Set-aside for Community Housing Development Organizations.--Section 231(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12771(a)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking "to be developed, sponsored, or owned by community housing development organizations" and inserting "when a community housing development organization materially participates in the ownership or development of that housing, as determined by the Secretary".
(t) Administrative Reforms.--
(1) Increase in program administration resources.--Section 220(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12750(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (2);
(B) by striking "Recognition.--" and all that follows through "A contribution" and inserting "Recognition.--A contribution"; and
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly.
(2) Modification of jurisdictions eligible for reallocations.--Section 217(d)(3) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12747(d)(3)) is amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking "Limitation" and inserting "Limitations"; and
(B) by striking "Unless otherwise specified" and inserting the following:
"(A) Removal of participating jurisdictions from reallocation.--The Secretary may, upon a finding that the participating jurisdiction has failed to meet or comply with the requirements of this title, remove a participating jurisdiction from participation in reallocations of funds made available under this title.
"(B) Reallocation to same type of entity.--Unless otherwise specified".
(3) Home property inspections.--Section 226(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12756(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking "Each participating jurisdiction" and inserting the following:
"(1) In general.--Each participating jurisdiction"; and
(B) by striking "Such review shall include" and all that follows and inserting the following:
"(2) Onsite inspections.--
"(A) Inspections by units of general local government.--A review conducted under paragraph (1) by a participating jurisdiction that is a unit of general local government shall include an onsite inspection to determine compliance with housing codes and other applicable regulations.
"(B) Inspections by states.--A review conducted under paragraph (1) by a participating jurisdiction that is a State shall include an onsite inspection to determine compliance with a national standard as determined by the Secretary.
"(3) Inclusion in performance report and publication.--A participating jurisdiction shall include in the performance report of the participating jurisdiction submitted to the Secretary under section 108(a), and make available to the public, the results of each review conducted under paragraph (1).".
(4) Revisions to strengthen enforcement and penalties for noncompliance.--Section 223 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12753) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "penalties for misuse of funds" and inserting "program enforcement and penalties for noncompliance";
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after "any provision of this subtitle" the following: ", including any provision applicable throughout the period required by section 215(a)(1)(E) and applicable regulations,";
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking "or" at the end;
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; or"; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
"(4) reduce payments to the participating jurisdiction under this subtitle by an amount equal to the amount of such payments that were not expended by the participating jurisdiction in accordance with this title.".
(u) Minimum Allocations.--Section 217(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12747 (b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking "$500,000" each place that term appears and inserting "$750,000";
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking "jurisdictions that are allocated an amount of $500,000 or more" and inserting "jurisdictions that are allocated an amount of $750,000 or more";
(B) by striking "that are allocated an amount less than $500,000" and inserting "that are allocated an amount less than $500,000 before the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act or less than $750,000 on or after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act"; and
(C) by striking ", except as provided in paragraph (4)"; and
(3) by striking paragraph (4).
(v) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking "Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act" each place that term appears and inserting "McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act";
(2) by striking "Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs" each place that term appears and inserting "Committee on Financial Services";
(3) in the table of contents in section 1(b) (Public Law 101-625; 104 Stat. 4079)--
(A) by striking the item relating to section 205 and inserting the following:
"Sec. 205. Authorization of program."; (B) by striking the item relating to section 223 and inserting the following:
"Sec. 223. Program enforcement and penalties for noncompliance."; and (C) by inserting after the item relating to section 290 the following:
"Sec. 291. Nonapplicability of certain requirements for small projects."; (4) in section 104 (42 U.S.C.
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12704)--(A) by redesignating paragraph (23) (relating to the definition of the term "to demonstrate to the Secretary") as paragraph (22); and (B) by redesignating paragraph (24) (relating to the definition of the term "insular area", as added by section 2(2) of Public Law 102-230) as paragraph (23); (5) in section 105(b)(8) (42 U.S.C. 12705(b)(8)), by striking "subparagraphs" and inserting "paragraphs"; (6) in section 108(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 12708(a)(1)), by striking "section 105(b)(15)" and inserting "section 105(b)(18)"; (7) in section 212 (42 U.S.C. 12742)--(A) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii), by inserting "United States" before "Housing Act"; (B) in subsection (d)(5), by inserting "United States" before "Housing Act"; and (C) in subsection (e)(1)--(i) by striking "section 221(d)(3)(ii)" and inserting "section 221(d)(4)"; and (ii) by striking "not to exceed 140 percent" and inserting "as determined by the Secretary"; (8) in section 215(a)(6)(B) (42 U.S.C. 12745(a)(6)(B)), by striking "grand children" and inserting "grandchildren"; (9) in section 217 (42 U.S.C. 12747)--(A) in subsection (a)--(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "(3)" and inserting "(2)"; (ii) by striking paragraph (3), as added by section 211(a)(2)(D) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-550; 106 Stat. 3756); and (iii) by redesignating the remaining paragraph (3), as added by the matter under the heading "home investment partnerships program" under the heading "Housing Programs" in title II of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102-389; 106 Stat. 1581), as paragraph (2); and (B) in subsection (b)(1)--(i) in subparagraph (A), in the first sentence--
(I) by striking "in regulation" and inserting ", by regulation,"; and
(II) by striking "eligible jurisdiction" and inserting "eligible jurisdictions"; and
(ii) in subparagraph (F), in the first sentence--
(I) in clause (i), by striking "Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs" and inserting "Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development"; and
(II) in clause (ii), by striking "Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development of the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs" and inserting "Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the Committee on Financial Services";
(10) in section 220(c) (42 U.S.C. 12750(c))--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking "Secretary" and all that follows and inserting "Secretary;";
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking "under this title" and all that follows and inserting "under this title;"; and
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively;
(11) in section 225(d)(4)(B) (42 U.S.C. 12755(d)(4)(B)), by striking "for" the first place that term appears; and
(12) in section 233 (42 U.S.C. 12773)--
(A) in subsection (b)(6), by striking "to community land trusts (as such term is defined in subsection (f))" and inserting "to community land trusts (as such term is defined in section 104)"; and
(B) by striking subsection (f).
SEC. 502. RURAL HOUSING SERVICE REFORM ACT.
(a) Application of Multifamily Mortgage Foreclosure Procedures to Multifamily Mortgages Held by the Secretary of Agriculture and Preservation of the Rental Assistance Contract Upon Foreclosure.--
(1) Multifamily mortgage procedures.--Section 363(2)(F) of the Multifamily Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1981 (12 U.S.C. 3702(2)) is amended--
(A) by striking "or 515" and inserting "515, or 538"; and
(B) by inserting ", 1490p-2" after "1485".
(2) Preservation of contract.--Section 521(d) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in managing and disposing of any multifamily property that is owned or has a mortgage held by the Secretary, and during the process of foreclosure on any property with a contract for rental assistance under this section--
"(A) the Secretary shall maintain any rental assistance payments that are attached to any dwelling units in the property; and
"(B) the rental assistance contract may be used to provide further assistance to existing projects under 514, 515, or 516.".
(b) Study on Rural Housing Loans for Housing for Low- and Moderate-income Families.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a publicly available report on the loan program under section 521 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a), including--
(1) the total amount provided by the Secretary in subsidies under such section 521 to borrowers with loans made pursuant to section 502 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1472);
(2) how much of the subsidies described in paragraph (1) are being recaptured; and
(3) the amount of time and costs associated with recapturing those subsidies.
(c) Staffing and Information Technology Upgrades.--Utilizing funds appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary of Agriculture may increase staffing capacity and upgrade information technology to support all Rural Housing Service programs.
(d) Technical Improvements.--
(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Utilizing funds appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary of Agriculture may make improvements to the technology of the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture used to process and manage housing loans.
(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available until the date that is 5 years after the date of the appropriation.
(3) Timeline.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall make the improvements described in paragraph (1) during the 5-year period beginning on the date on which amounts are appropriated under paragraph (1).
(e) Permanent Establishment of Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program.--Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 545.
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HOUSING PRESERVATION AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAM.
"(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a program under this section for the preservation and revitalization of multifamily rental housing projects financed under section 514, 515, or 516.
"(b) Notice of Maturing Loans.--
"(1) To owners.--On an annual basis, the Secretary shall provide written notice to each owner of a property financed under section 514, 515, or 516 that will mature within the 4-year period beginning upon the provision of the notice, setting forth the options and financial incentives that are available to facilitate the extension of the loan term or the option to decouple a rental assistance contract pursuant to subsection (f).
"(2) To tenants.--
"(A) In general.--On an annual basis, for each property financed under section 514, 515, or 516, not later than the date that is 2 years before the date that the loan will mature, the Secretary shall provide written notice to each household residing in the property that informs them of--
"(i) the date of the loan maturity;
"(ii) the possible actions that may happen with respect to the property upon that maturity; and
"(iii) how to protect their right to reside in federally assisted housing, or how to secure housing voucher, after that maturity.
"(B) Language.--Notice under this paragraph shall be provided in plain English and
shall be translated to other languages in the case of any property located in an area in which a significant number of residents speak such other languages.
"(c) Loan Restructuring.--Under the program under this section, in any circumstance in which the Secretary proposes a restructuring to an owner or an owner proposes a restructuring to the Secretary, the Secretary may restructure such existing housing loans, as the Secretary considers appropriate, for the purpose of ensuring that those projects have sufficient resources to preserve the projects to provide safe and affordable housing for low-income residents and farm laborers, by--
"(1) reducing or eliminating interest;
"(2) deferring loan payments;
"(3) subordinating, reducing, or reamortizing loan debt;
"(4) providing other financial assistance, including advances, payments, and incentives (including the ability of owners to obtain reasonable returns on investment) required by the Secretary; and
"(5) permanently removing a portion of the housing units from income restrictions when sustained vacancies have occurred.
"(d) Renewal of Rental Assistance.--
"(1) In general.--When the Secretary proposes to restructure a loan or agrees to the proposal of an owner to restructure a loan pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary shall offer to renew the rental assistance contract under section 521(a)(2) for a term that is the shorter of 20 years and the term of the restructured loan, subject to annual appropriations, provided that the owner agrees to bring the property up to such standards that will ensure maintenance of the property as decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the full term of the rental assistance contract.
"(2) Additional rental assistance.--With respect to a project described in paragraph (1), if rental assistance is not available for all households in the project for which the loan is being restructured pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary may extend such additional rental assistance to unassisted households at that project as is necessary to make the project safe and affordable to low-income households.
"(e) Restrictive Use Agreements.--
"(1) Requirement.--As part of the preservation and revitalization agreement for a project, the Secretary shall obtain a restrictive use agreement that is recorded and obligates the owner to operate the project in accordance with this title.
"(2) Term.--
"(A) No extension of rental assistance contract.--Except when the Secretary enters into a 20-year extension of the rental assistance contract for a project, the term of the restrictive use agreement for the project shall be consistent with the term of the restructured loan for the project.
"(B) Extension of rental assistance contract.--If the Secretary enters into a 20-year extension of the rental assistance contract for a project, the term of the restrictive use agreement for the project shall be for the longer of--
"(i) 20 years; or
"(ii) the remaining term of the loan for that project.
"(C) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate the 20-year restrictive use agreement for a project before the end of the term of the agreement if the 20-year rental assistance contract for the project with the owner is terminated at any time for reasons outside the control of the owner.
"(f) Decoupling of Rental Assistance.--
"(1) Renewal of rental assistance contract.--If the Secretary determines that a loan maturing during the 4-year period beginning upon the provision of the notice required under subsection (b)(1) for a project cannot reasonably be restructured in accordance with subsection (c) because it is not financially feasible or the owner does not agree with the proposed restructuring, and the project was operating with rental assistance under section 521 and the recipient is a borrower under section 514 or 515, the Secretary may renew the rental assistance contract, notwithstanding any requirement under section 521 that the recipient be a current borrower under section 514 or 515, for a term of 20 years, subject to annual appropriations.
"(2) Additional rental assistance.--With respect to a project described in paragraph (1), if rental assistance is not available for all households in the project for which the loan is being restructured pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary may extend such additional rental assistance to unassisted households at that project as is necessary to make the project safe and affordable to low-income households.
"(3) Rents.--
"(A) In general.--Any agreement to extend the term of the rental assistance contract under section 521 for a project shall obligate the owner to continue to maintain the project as decent, safe, and sanitary housing and to operate the development as affordable housing in a manner that meets the goals of this title.
"(B) Rent amounts.--Subject to subparagraph (C), in setting rents, the Secretary--
"(i) shall determine the maximum initial rent based on current fair market rents established under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f); and
"(ii) may annually adjust the rent determined under clause (i) by the operating cost adjustment factor as provided under section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
"(C) Higher rent.--
"(i) In general.--Subparagraph (B) shall not apply if the Secretary determines that the budget-based needs of a project require a higher rent than the rent described in subparagraph (B).
"(ii) Rent.--If the Secretary makes a positive determination under clause (i), the Secretary may approve a budget-based rent level for the project.
"(4) Conditions for approval.--Before the approval of a rental assistance contract authorized under this section, the Secretary shall require, through an annual notice in the Federal Register, the owner to submit to the Secretary a plan that identifies financing sources and a timetable for renovations and improvements determined to be necessary by the Secretary to maintain and preserve the project.
"(g) Multifamily Housing Transfer Technical Assistance.--Under the program under this section, the Secretary may provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, housing cooperative corporations, and public housing agencies to provide technical assistance, including financial and legal services, to borrowers under loans under this title for multifamily housing to facilitate the acquisition or preservation of such multifamily housing properties in areas where the Secretary determines there is a risk of loss of affordable housing.
"(h) Administrative Expenses.--Of any amounts made available for the program under this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than $1,000,000 for administrative expenses for carrying out such program.
"(i) Rulemaking.--
"(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the Secretary shall--
"(A) publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking; and
"(B) consult with appropriate stakeholders.
"(2) Interim final rule.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the Secretary shall publish an interim final rule to carry out this section.".
(f) Rental Assistance Contract Authority.--Section 521(d) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a(d)), as amended by this section, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively;
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
"(B) upon request of an owner of a project financed under section 514 or 515, the Secretary is authorized to enter into renewal of such agreements for a period of 20 years or the term of the loan, whichever is shorter, subject to amounts made available in appropriations Acts;";
(C) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by striking "subparagraph (A)" and inserting "subparagraphs (A) and (B)"; and
(D) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking "subparagraphs (A) and (B)" and inserting "subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)";
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking "shall" and inserting "may"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(4) In the case of any rental assistance contract authority that becomes available because of the termination of assistance on behalf of an assisted family--
"(A) at the option of the owner of the rental project, the Secretary shall provide the owner a period of not more than 6 months before unused assistance is made available pursuant to subparagraph (B) during which the owner may use such authority to provide assistance on behalf of an eligible unassisted family that--
"(i) is residing in the same rental project in which the assisted family resided before the termination; or
"(ii) newly occupies a dwelling unit in the rental project during that 6-month period; and
"(B) except for assistance used as provided in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use such remaining authority to provide assistance on behalf of eligible families residing in other rental projects originally financed under section 514, 515, or 516.".
(g) Modifications to Loans and Grants for Minor Improvements to Farm Housing and Buildings; Income Eligibility.--Section 504(a) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1474(a)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting "and may make a loan to an eligible low-income applicant" after "applicant"; and
(2) by striking "$7,500" and inserting "$15,000".
(h) Rural Community Development Initiative.--Subtitle E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 381O.
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RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
"(A) a private, nonprofit community-based housing or community development organization;
"(B) a rural community; or
"(C) a federally recognized Indian tribe.
"(2) Eligible intermediary.--The term `eligible intermediary' means a qualified--
"(A) private, nonprofit organization; or
"(B) public organization.
"(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Rural Community Development Initiative, under which the Secretary shall provide grants, subject to the availability of appropriations, to eligible intermediaries to carry out programs to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible entities to develop the capacity and ability of eligible entities to carry out projects to improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas.
"(c) Amount of Grants.--The amount of a grant provided to an eligible intermediary under this section shall be not more than $500,000.
"(d) Matching Funds.--
"(1) In general.--An eligible intermediary receiving a grant under this section shall provide matching funds from other sources, including Federal funds for related activities, in an amount not less than the amount of the grant.
"(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive paragraph (1) with respect to a project that would be carried out in a persistently poor rural region, as determined by the Secretary.".
(i) Annual Report on Rural Housing Programs.--Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), as amended by this section, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 546. ANNUAL REPORT.
"(a) In General.--The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and publish on the website of the Department of Agriculture an annual report on rural housing programs carried out under this title, which shall include significant details on the health of Rural Housing Service programs, including--
"(1) raw data sortable by programs and by region regarding loan performance;
"(2) the housing stock of those programs, including information on why properties end participation in those programs, such as for maturation, prepayment, foreclosure, or other servicing issues; and
"(3) risk ratings for properties assisted under those programs.
"(b) Protection of Information.--The data included in each report required under subsection (a) may be aggregated or anonymized to protect participant financial or personal information.".
(j) GAO Report on Rural Housing Service Technology.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that includes--
(1) an analysis of how the outdated technology used by the Rural Housing Service impacts participants in the programs of the Rural Housing Service;
(2) an estimate of the amount of funding that is needed to modernize the technology used by the Rural Housing Service; and
(3) an estimate of the number and type of new employees the Rural Housing Service needs to modernize the technology used by the Rural Housing Service.
(k) Adjustment to Rural Development Voucher Amount.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations to establish a process for adjusting the voucher amount provided under section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r) after the issuance of the voucher following an interim or annual review of the amount of the voucher.
(2) Interim review.--The interim review described in paragraph (1) shall, at the request of a tenant, allow for a recalculation of the voucher amount when the tenant experiences a reduction in income, change in family composition, or change in rental rate.
(3) Annual review.--
(A) In general.--The annual review described in paragraph (1) shall require tenants to annually recertify the family composition of the household and that the family income of the household does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income at a time determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) Considerations.--If a tenant does not recertify the family composition and family income of the household within the time frame required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Agriculture--
(i) shall consider whether extenuating circumstances caused the delay in recertification; and
(ii) may alter associated consequences for the failure to recertify based on those circumstances.
(C) Effective date.--Following the annual review of a voucher under paragraph (1), the updated voucher amount shall be effective on the 1st day of the month following the expiration of the voucher.
(4) Deadline.--The process established under paragraph (1) shall require the Secretary of Agriculture to review and update the voucher amount described in paragraph (1) for a tenant not later than 60 days before the end of the voucher term.
(l) Eligibility for Rural Housing Vouchers.--Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(c) Eligibility of Households in Sections 514, 515, and 516 Projects.--The Secretary may provide rural housing vouchers under this section for any low-income household (including those not receiving rental assistance) residing for a term longer than the remaining term of their lease that is in effect on the date of prepayment, foreclosure, or mortgage maturity, in a property financed with a loan under section 514 or 515 or a grant under section 516 that has--
"(1) been prepaid with or without restrictions imposed by the Secretary pursuant to section 502(c)(5)(G)(ii)(I);
"(2) been foreclosed; or
"(3) matured after September 30, 2005.".
(m) Amount of Voucher Assistance.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of any rural housing voucher provided pursuant to section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r), the amount of the monthly assistance payment for the household on whose behalf the assistance is provided shall be determined as provided in subsection (a) of such section 542, including providing for interim and annual review of the voucher amount in the event of a change in household composition or income or rental rate.
(n) Transfer of Multifamily Rural Housing Projects.--Section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485) is amended--
(1) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Transfer to nonprofit organizations.--A nonprofit or public body purchaser, including a limited partnership with a general partner with the principal purpose of providing affordable housing, may purchase a property for which a loan is made or insured under this section that has received a market value appraisal, without addressing rehabilitation needs at the time of purchase, if the purchaser--
"(A) makes a commitment to address rehabilitation needs during ownership and long-term use restrictions on the property; and
"(B) at the time of purchase, accepts long-term use restrictions on the property."; and
(2) in subsection (w)(1), in the first sentence in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "9 percent" and inserting "25 percent".
(o) Extension of Loan Term.--
(1) In general.--Section 502(a)(2) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(a)(2)) is amended--
(A) by inserting "(A)" before "The Secretary";
(B) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by striking "paragraph" and inserting "subparagraph"; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) The Secretary may refinance or modify the period of any loan, including any refinanced loan, made under this section in accordance with terms and conditions as the Secretary shall prescribe, but in no event shall the total term of the loan from the date of the refinance or modification exceed 40 years.".
(2) Application.--The amendment made under paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to loans made under section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472) before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(p) Release of Liability for Section 502 Guaranteed Borrower Upon Assumption of Original Loan by New Borrower.--Section 502(h) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the following:
"(10) Transfer and assumption.--Upon the transfer of property for which a guaranteed loan under this subsection was made, and the assumption of the guaranteed loan by an approved eligible borrower, the original borrower of a guaranteed loan under this subsection shall be relieved of liability with respect to the loan.";
(2) by redesignating paragraph (16) as paragraph (17); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:
"(16) Fee.--
"(A) In general.--The mortgagee may charge an assuming borrower a reasonable and customary processing fee for an assumption request made under this subsection.
"(B) Maximum fee.--The Secretary shall set a maximum allowable fee described in subparagraph (A), which may be indexed for inflation.".
(q) Department of Agriculture Loan Restrictions.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection, the terms "State" and "tribal organization" have the meanings given those terms in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n).
(2) Revision.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall revise section 3555.102(c) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, to exclude from the restriction under that section--
(A) a home-based business that is a licensed, registered, or regulated child care provider under State law or by a tribal organization; and
(B) an applicant that has applied to become a licensed, registered, or regulated child care provider under State law or by a tribal organization.
(r) Loan Guarantees.--Section 502(h)(4) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)(4)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(2) by striking "Loans may be guaranteed" and inserting the following:
"(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `accessory dwelling unit' means a single, habitable living unit--
"(i) with means of separate ingress and egress;
"(ii) that is usually subordinate in size;
"(iii) that can be added to, created within, or detached from a primary 1-unit, single-family dwelling; and
"(iv) in combination with a primary 1-unit, single-family dwelling, constitutes a single interest in real estate.
"(B) Single-family requirement.--Loans may be guaranteed"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the leasing of an accessory dwelling unit or the use of rental income derived from such a lease to qualify for a loan guaranteed under this subsection--
"(i) after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act; and
"(ii) if the property that is the subject of the loan was constructed before the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.".
(s) Application Review.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress, not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary of Agriculture receives an application for a loan, grant, or combined loan and grant under section 502 or 504 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C.
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1472, 1474), the Secretary of Agriculture should--
(A) review the application;
(B) complete the underwriting;
(C) make a determination of eligibility with respect to the application; and
(D) notify the applicant of determination.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report--
(i) detailing the timeliness of eligibility determinations and final determinations with respect to applications under sections 502 and 504 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472, 1474), including justifications for any eligibility determinations taking longer than 90 days; and
(ii) that includes recommendations to shorten the timeline for notifications of eligibility determinations described in clause (i) to not more than 90 days.
(B) Date described.--The date described in this subparagraph is the date on which, during the preceding 5-year period, the Secretary of Agriculture provides each eligibility determination described in subparagraph (A) during the 90-day period beginning on the date on which each application is received.
SEC. 503. INCENTIVIZING LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.
Section 414 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11373) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(f) Funding Cap Waiver Authority.--
"(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, a recipient may request a waiver to the expenditure limit established pursuant to section 415(b) for amounts provided for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
"(2) Waiver request.--
"(A) In general.--A recipient seeking a waiver described in paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary a waiver request that includes not more than the following:
"(i) A demonstration of local needs and circumstances that necessitate a waiver.
"(ii) A detailed plan for how the recipient intends to use funds.
"(iii) A justification for how the proposed use of funds supports the most recent Consolidated Plan submitted by the recipient.
"(iv) Any public input solicited under subparagraph (B)(ii).
"(B) Notification.--Each recipient shall--
"(i) notify all subrecipients and local Continuums of Care that serve the recipient's geographic area of the availability of waivers under this subsection; and
"(ii) prior to the submission of a waiver request under subparagraph (A), solicit public input regarding the potential need for and proposed uses of such waiver.
"(C) Approval; publication.--The Secretary shall--
"(i) make all waiver requests submitted under subparagraph (A) publicly available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
"(ii) not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a waiver request under subparagraph (A), approve or deny the request; and
"(iii) deny any waiver request submitted under subparagraph (A) by a recipient that relocates or threaten to relocate individuals or their property without providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or other permanent housing options.
"(3) Revocation.--
"(A) In general.--A waiver approved under this subsection shall remain in effect for the duration of the period of performance of fiscal year 2027 through 2030 grants, unless the recipient notifies the Secretary in writing that the recipient wishes to revoke the waiver.
"(B) Notification.--If a recipient intends to revoke a waiver under subparagraph (A), the recipient shall--
"(i) solicit input from subrecipients regarding the revocation before submitting the revocation; and
"(ii) provide subrecipients with a summary of the input and the justification for the revocation in its submittal prior to notifying the Secretary in writing.
"(C) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish any revocation of a waiver under subparagraph (A) and the justification of the recipient for the waiver on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.".
SEC. 504. REFORMING DISASTER RECOVERY ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Department.--The term "Department" means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2) Fund.--The term "Fund" means the Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund established under subsection (c).
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Duties of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.--
(1) In general.--The offices and officers of the Department shall be responsible for--
(A) leading and coordinating the disaster-related responsibilities of the Department under the National Response Framework, the National Disaster Recovery Framework, and the National Mitigation Framework;
(B) coordinating and administering programs, policies, and activities of the Department related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, resiliency, and mitigation, including disaster recovery assistance under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(C) supporting disaster-impacted communities as those communities specifically assess, plan for, and address the housing stock and housing needs in the transition from emergency shelters and interim housing to permanent housing of those displaced, especially among vulnerable populations and extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income households;
(D) collaborating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration and across the Department to align disaster-related regulations and policies, including incorporation of consensus-based codes and standards and insurance purchase requirements, and ensuring coordination and reducing duplication among other Federal disaster recovery programs;
(E) promoting best practices in mitigation and resilient land use planning;
(F) coordinating technical assistance, including mitigation, resiliency, and recovery training and information on all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, to entities that receive disaster recovery assistance under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) that demonstrate capacity constraints; and
(G) supporting State, Tribal, and local governments in developing, coordinating, and maintaining their capacity for disaster resilience and recovery and developing pre-disaster recovery and hazard mitigation plans, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other Federal agencies.
(2) Establishment of the office of disaster management and resiliency.--Section 4 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(i) Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency.--
"(1) Establishment.--There is established the Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency.
"(2) Duties.--The Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency shall--
"(A) be responsible for oversight and coordination of all departmental disaster preparedness and response responsibilities; and
"(B) coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and other offices of the Department in supporting recovery and resilience activities to provide a comprehensive approach in working with communities.".
(c) Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the "Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund".
(2) Deposits, transfers, and credit.--
(A) In general.--The Fund shall consist of amounts appropriated, transferred, and credited to the Fund.
(B) Transfers.--The following may be transferred to the Fund:
(i) Amounts made available through section 106(c)(4) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306(c)(4)) as a result of actions taken under section 104(e), 111, or 124(j) of such Act.
(ii) Any unobligated balances available until expended remaining or subsequently recaptured from amounts appropriated for any disaster and related purposes under the heading "Community Development Fund" in any Act prior to the establishment of the Fund.
(C) Use of transferred amounts.--Amounts transferred to the Fund shall be used for the eligible uses described in paragraph (3).
(3) Eligible uses of fund.--
(A) In general.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available--
(i) to provide assistance in the form of grants under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d); and
(ii) for activities of the Department that support the provision of such assistance, including necessary salaries and expenses, information technology, and capacity building, technical assistance, and pre-disaster readiness.
(B) Set-aside.--Of each amount appropriated for or transferred to the Fund, 3 percent shall be made available for activities described in subparagraph (A)(ii), which shall be in addition to other amounts made available for those activities.
(C) Transfer of funds.--With respect to amounts made available for use in accordance with subparagraph (B)--
(i) amounts may be transferred to the account under the heading for "Program Offices--Salaries and Expenses--Community Planning and Development", or any successor account, for the Department to carry out activities described in subparagraph(B); and
(ii) amounts may be used for the activities described in subparagraph (A)(ii) and for the administrative costs of administering any funds appropriated to the Department under the heading "Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund" for any major disaster declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) in any Act before the establishment of the Fund.
(D) Inspector general.--
(i) In general.--Not less than one-tenth of 1 percent of each series of awards the Secretary makes from the Fund shall be transferred to the account under the heading "Office of Inspector General" for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to support audit activities and to investigate grantee noncompliance with program requirements and waste, fraud, and abuse as a result of appropriations made available through the Fund.
(ii) Availability.--Funding under clause (i) shall not be made available to the Office of Inspector General until 90 days after the date on which the grantee plan or supplemental plan for the grantee is approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) or (f)(3)(C) of section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), is approved by the Secretary.
(4) Interchangeability of prior administrative amounts.--Any amounts appropriated in any Act prior to the establishment of the Fund and transferred to the account under the heading "Program Offices--Salaries and Expenses--Community Planning and Development", or any predecessor account, for the Department for the costs of administering funds appropriated to the Department under the heading "Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund" for any major disaster declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
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5170) shall be available for the costs of administering any such funds provided by any prior or future Act, notwithstanding the purposes for which those amounts were appropriated and in addition to any amount provided for the same purposes in other appropriations Acts.
(5) Availability of amounts.--Amounts appropriated, transferred, and credited to the Fund shall remain available until expended.
(6) Formula allocation.--Use of amounts in the Fund for grants shall be made by formula allocation in accordance with the requirements of section 124(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d).
(d) Establishment of CDBG Disaster Recovery Program.--Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) in section 102(a) (42 U.S.C. 5302(a))--
(A) in paragraph (20)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
(ii) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by inserting "or (B)" after "subparagraph (A)"; and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
"(B) The term `persons of extremely low income' means families and individuals whose income levels do not exceed household income levels determined by the Secretary under section 3(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)(C)), except that the Secretary may provide alternative definitions for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa."; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
"(25) The term `major disaster' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).";
(2) in section 106(c)(4) (42 U.S.C. 5306(c)(4))--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking "declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act";
(ii) by inserting "States for use in nonentitlement areas and to" before "metropolitan cities"; and
(iii) by inserting "major" after "affected by the";
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking "metropolitan city or" and inserting "State, metropolitan city, or";
(ii) by striking "city or county" and inserting "State, city, or county"; and
(iii) by inserting "major" before "disaster";
(C) in subparagraph (D), by striking "metropolitan cities and" and inserting "States, metropolitan cities, and";
(D) in subparagraph (F)--
(i) by striking "metropolitan city or" and inserting "State, metropolitan city, or"; and
(ii) by inserting "major" before "disaster"; and
(E) in subparagraph (G), by striking "metropolitan city or" and inserting "State, metropolitan city, or";
(3) in section 122 (42 U.S.C. 5321), by striking "disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act" and inserting "major disaster"; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 124. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER
RECOVERY PROGRAM.
"(a) Authorization, Formula, and Allocation.--
"(1) Authorization.--The Secretary is authorized to make community development block grant disaster recovery grants from the Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund established under section 504(c) of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (in this section referred to as the `Fund') for necessary expenses for activities authorized under subsection (f)(1) related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster.
"(2) Grant awards.--Grants shall be awarded under this section to States, units of general local government, and Indian tribes based on capacity and the concentration of damage, as determined by the Secretary, to support the efficient and effective administration of funds.
"(3) Section 106 allocations.--Grants under this section shall not be considered relevant to the formula allocations made pursuant to section 106.
"(4) Federal register notice.--
"(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a notice in the Federal Register containing the latest formula allocation methodologies used to determine the total estimate of unmet needs related to housing, economic revitalization, and infrastructure in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster.
"(B) Public comment.--If the Secretary has not already requested public comment on the formula described in the notice required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall solicit public comments on--
"(i) the methodologies described in subparagraph (A) and seek alternative methods for formula allocation within a similar total amount of funding;
"(ii) the impact of formula methodologies on rural areas and Tribal areas;
"(iii) adjustments to improve targeting to the most serious needs;
"(iv) objective criteria for grantee capacity and concentration of damage to inform grantee determinations and minimum allocation thresholds; and
"(v) research and data to inform an additional amount to be provided for mitigation depending on type of disaster, which shall be up to 18 percent of the total estimate of unmet needs.
"(5) Regulations.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish a formula to allocate assistance from the Fund to the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster.
"(B) Formula requirements.--The formula established under subparagraph (A) shall--
"(i) set forth criteria to determine that a major disaster is catastrophic, which criteria shall consider the presence of a high concentration of damaged housing or businesses that individual, State, Tribal, and local resources could not reasonably be expected to address without additional Federal assistance or other nationally encompassing data that the Secretary determines are adequate to assess relative impact and distress across geographic areas;
"(ii) include a methodology for identifying most impacted and distressed areas, which shall consider unmet serious needs related to housing, economic revitalization, and infrastructure;
"(iii) include an allocation calculation that considers the unmet serious needs resulting from the catastrophic major disaster and an additional amount up to 18 percent for activities to reduce risks of loss resulting from other natural disasters in the most impacted and distressed area, primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate-income persons, with particular focus on activities that reduce repetitive loss of property and critical infrastructure; and
"(iv) establish objective criteria for periodic review and updates to the formula to reflect changes in available data.
"(C) Minimum allocation threshold.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish a minimum allocation threshold.
"(D) Interim allocation.--Until such time that the Secretary issues final regulations under this paragraph, the Secretary shall--
"(i) allocate assistance from the Fund using the formula allocation methodology published in accordance with paragraph (4); and
"(ii) include an additional amount for mitigation of up to 18 percent of the total estimate of unmet need.
"(6) Allocation of funds.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
"(i) except as provided in clause (ii), not later than 90 days after the President declares a major disaster, use best available data to determine whether the major disaster is catastrophic and qualifies for assistance under the formula described in paragraph (4) or (5), unless data is insufficient to make this determination; and
"(ii) if the best available data is insufficient to make the determination required under clause (i) within the 90-day period described in that clause, determine whether the major disaster qualifies when sufficient data becomes available, but in no case shall the Secretary make the determination later than 120 days after the declaration of the major disaster.
"(B) Announcement of allocation.--If amounts are available in the Fund at the time the Secretary determines that the major disaster is catastrophic and qualifies for assistance under the formula described in paragraph (4) or (5), the Secretary shall immediately announce an allocation for a grant under this section.
"(C) Additional amounts.--If additional amounts are appropriated to the Fund after amounts are allocated under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall announce an allocation or additional allocation (if a prior allocation under subparagraph (B) was less than the formula calculation) within 15 days of any such appropriation.
"(7) Preliminary funding.--
"(A) In general.--To speed recovery, the Secretary is authorized to allocate and award preliminary grants from the Fund before making a determination under paragraph (6)(A) if the Secretary projects, based on a preliminary assessment of impact and distress, that a major disaster is catastrophic and would likely qualify for funding under the formula described in paragraph (4) or (5).
"(B) Amount.--
"(i) Maximum.--The Secretary may award preliminary funding under subparagraph (A) in an amount that is not more than $5,000,000.
"(ii) Sliding scale.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish a sliding scale for preliminary funding awarded under subparagraph (A) based on the size of the preliminary assessment of impact and distress.
"(C) Use of funds.--The uses of preliminary funding awarded under subparagraph (A) shall be limited to eligible activities that--
"(i) in the determination of the Secretary, will support faster recovery, improve the ability of the grantee to assess unmet recovery needs, plan for the prevention of improper payments, and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse; and
"(ii) may include evaluating the interim housing, permanent housing, and supportive service needs of the disaster impacted community, with special attention to vulnerable populations, such as homeless and low- to moderate-income households, to inform the grantee action plan required under subsection (c).
"(D) Consideration of funding.--Preliminary funding awarded under subparagraph (A)--
"(i) is not subject to the certification requirements of subsection (h)(2); and
"(ii) shall not be considered when calculating the amount of the grant used for administrative costs, technical assistance, and planning activities that are subject to the requirements under subsection (f)(3).
"(E) Waiver.--To expedite the use of preliminary funding for activities described in this paragraph, the Secretary may waive or specify alternative requirements to the requirements of this section in accordance with subsection (i).
"(F) Amended award.--
"(i) In general.--An award for preliminary funding under subparagraph (A) may be amended to add any subsequent amount awarded because of a determination by the Secretary that a major disaster is catastrophic and qualifies for assistance under the formula.
"(ii) Applicability.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (D), amounts provided by an amendment under clause (i) are subject to the requirements under subsections (f)(1) and (h)(1) and other requirements on grant funds under this section.
"(G) Technical assistance.--Concurrent with the allocation of any preliminary funding awarded under this paragraph, the Secretary shall assign or provide technical assistance to the recipient of the grant.
"(b) Interchangeability.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to approve the use of grants under this section to be used interchangeably and without limitation for the same activities in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a declaration of another catastrophic major disaster that qualifies for assistance under the formula established under paragraph (4) or (5) of subsection (a) or a major disaster for which
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the Secretary allocated funds made available under the heading `Community Development Fund' in any Act prior to the establishment of the Fund.
"(2) Requirements.--The Secretary shall establish requirements to expedite the use of grants under this section for the purpose described in paragraph (1).
"(3) Emergency designation.--Amounts repurposed pursuant to this subsection that were previously designated by Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or a concurrent resolution on the budget are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4001(a)(1) of S. Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2022, and to legislation establishing fiscal year 2026 budget enforcement in the House of Representatives.
"(c) Grantee Plans.--
"(1) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary announces a grant allocation under this section, unless an extension is granted by the Secretary, the grantee shall submit to the Secretary a plan for approval describing--
"(A) the activities the grantee will carry out with the grant under this section;
"(B) the criteria of the grantee for awarding assistance and selecting activities;
"(C) how the use of the grant under this section will address disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas;
"(D) how the use of the grant funds for mitigation is consistent with hazard mitigation plans submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165);
"(E) the estimated amount proposed to be used for activities that will benefit persons of low and moderate income;
"(F) how the use of grant funds will repair and replace existing housing stock for vulnerable populations, including low- to moderate-income households;
"(G) how the grantee will address the priorities described in paragraph (5);
"(H) how uses of funds are proportional to unmet needs, as required under paragraph (6);
"(I) for State grantees that plan to distribute grant amounts to units of general local government, a description of the method of distribution; and
"(J) such other information as may be determined by the Secretary in regulation.
"(2) Public consultation.--To permit public examination and appraisal of the plan described in paragraph (1), to enhance the public accountability of grantee, and to facilitate coordination of activities with different levels of government, when developing the plan or substantial amendments proposed to the plan required under paragraph (1), a grantee shall--
"(A) publish the plan before adoption;
"(B) provide citizens, affected units of general local government, and other interested parties with reasonable notice of, and opportunity to comment on, the plan, with a public comment period of not less than 14 days;
"(C) consider comments received before submission to the Secretary;
"(D) follow a citizen participation plan for disaster assistance adopted by the grantee that, at a minimum, provides for participation of residents of the most impacted and distressed area affected by the major disaster that resulted in the grant under this section and other considerations established by the Secretary; and
"(E) undertake any consultation with interested parties as may be determined by the Secretary in regulation.
"(3) Approval.--The Secretary shall--
"(A) by regulation, specify criteria for the approval, partial approval, or disapproval of a plan submitted under paragraph (1), including approval of substantial amendments to the plan;
"(B) review a plan submitted under paragraph (1) upon receipt of the plan;
"(C) allow a grantee to revise and resubmit a plan or substantial amendment to a plan under paragraph (1) that the Secretary disapproves;
"(D) by regulation, specify criteria for when the grantee shall be required to provide the required revisions to a disapproved plan or substantial amendment under paragraph (1) for public comment prior to resubmission of the plan or substantial amendment to the Secretary; and
"(E) approve, partially approve, or disapprove a plan or substantial amendment under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after the date on which the plan or substantial amendment is received by the Secretary.
"(4) Low- and moderate-income overall benefit.--
"(A) Use of funds.--Not less than 70 percent of a grant made under this section shall be used for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income unless the Secretary--
"(i) specifically finds that--
"(I) there is compelling need to reduce the percentage for the grant; and
"(II) the housing needs of low- and moderate-income persons have been addressed; and
"(ii) issues a waiver and alternative requirement specific to the grant pursuant to subsection (i) to lower the percentage.
"(B) Regulations.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish protocols that reflect the required use of funds under subparagraph (A), including persons with extremely and very low incomes.
"(5) Prioritization.--The grantee shall prioritize activities that--
"(A) assist persons with extremely low-, low-, and moderate-incomes and other vulnerable populations to better recover from and withstand future disasters;
"(B) address housing needs arising from a disaster, or those needs present prior to a disaster, including the needs of both renters and homeowners;
"(C) prolong the life of housing and infrastructure;
"(D) use cost-effective means of preventing harm to people and property and incorporate protective features and redundancies; and
"(E) other measures that will assure the continuation of critical services during future disasters.
"(6) Proportional allocation.--For each specific disaster, a grantee under this section shall allocate grant funds proportional to unmet needs between housing activities for renters and homeowners, economic revitalization, and infrastructure unless the Secretary specifically finds that--
"(A) there is a compelling need for a disproportional allocation among those unmet needs; and
"(B) the disproportional allocation described in subparagraph (A) is not inconsistent with the requirements under paragraph (4).
"(7) Disaster risk mitigation.--
"(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `hazard-prone areas'--
"(i) means areas identified by the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, at risk from natural hazards that threaten property damage or health, safety, and welfare, such as floods, wildfires (including Wildland-Urban Interface areas), earthquakes, lava inundation, tornados, and high winds; and
"(ii) includes areas having special flood hazards as identified under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4002 et seq.) or the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
"(B) Hazard-prone areas.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish minimum construction standards, insurance purchase requirements, and other requirements for the use of grant funds in hazard-prone areas.
"(C) Special flood hazards.--
"(i) In general.--For the areas described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the insurance purchase requirements established under subparagraph (B) shall meet or exceed the requirements under section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(a)).
"(ii) Treatment as financial assistance.--All grants under this section shall be treated as financial assistance for purposes of section 3(a)(3) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4003(a)(3)).
"(D) Consideration of future risks.--The Secretary may consider future risks to protecting property and health, safety, and general welfare, and the likelihood of those risks, when making the determination of or modification to hazard-prone areas under this paragraph.
"(8) Relocation.--
"(A) In general.--The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.) shall apply to activities assisted under this section to the extent determined by the Secretary in regulation, or as provided in waivers or alternative requirements authorized in accordance with subsection (i).
"(B) Policy.--Each grantee under this section shall establish a relocation assistance policy that--
"(i) minimizes displacement and describes the benefits available to persons displaced as a direct result of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition in connection with an activity that is assisted by a grant under this section; and
"(ii) includes any appeal rights or other requirements that the Secretary establishes by regulation.
"(d) Certifications.--Any grant under this section shall be made only if the grantee certifies to the satisfaction of the Secretary that--
"(1) the grantee is in full compliance with the requirements under subsection (c)(2);
"(2) for grants other than grants to Indian tribes, the grant will be conducted and administered in conformity with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.) and the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
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3601 et seq.);
"(3) the projected use of funds has been developed so as to give maximum feasible priority to activities that will benefit recipients described in subsection (c)(4)(A) and activities described in subsection (c)(5), and may also include activities that are designed to aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight to support disaster recovery, meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs, and alleviate future threats to human populations, critical natural resources, and property that an analysis of hazards shows are likely to result from natural disasters in the future;
"(4) the grant funds shall principally benefit persons of low- and moderate-income as described in subsection (c)(4)(A);
"(5) for grants other than grants to Indian tribes, within 24 months of receiving a grant or at the time of its 3- or 5-year update, whichever is sooner, the grantee will review and make modifications to its non-disaster housing and community development plans and strategies required by subsections (c) and (m) of section 104 to reflect the disaster recovery needs identified by the grantee and consistency with the plan under subsection (c)(1);
"(6) the grantee will not attempt to recover any capital costs of public improvements assisted in whole or part under this section by assessing any amount against properties owned and occupied by persons of low and moderate income, including any fee charged or assessment made as a condition of obtaining access to such public improvements, unless--
"(A) funds received under this section are used to pay the proportion of such fee or assessment that relates to the capital costs of such public improvements that are financed from revenue sources other than under this chapter; or
"(B) for purposes of assessing any amount against properties owned and occupied by persons of moderate income, the grantee certifies to the Secretary that the grantee lacks sufficient funds received under this section to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (A);
"(7) the grantee will comply with the other provisions of this title that apply to assistance under this section and with other applicable laws;
"(8) the grantee will follow a relocation assistance policy that includes any minimum requirements identified by the Secretary; and
"(9) the grantee will adhere to construction standards, insurance purchase requirements, and other requirements for development in hazard-prone areas described in subsection (c)(7).
"(e) Performance Reviews and Reporting.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, on not less frequently than an annual basis until the closeout of a particular grant allocation, make such reviews and audits as may be necessary or appropriate to determine whether a grantee under this section has--
"(A) carried out activities using grant funds in a timely manner;
"(B) met the performance targets established by paragraph (2);
"(C) carried out activities using grant funds in accordance with the requirements of this section, the other provisions of this title that apply to assistance under this section, and other applicable laws; and
"(D) a continuing capacity to carry out activities in a timely manner.
"(2) Performance targets.--The Secretary shall develop and make publicly available critical performance targets for review, which shall include spending thresholds for each year from the date on which funds are obligated by the Secretary to the grantee until such time all funds have been expended.
"(3) Failure to meet targets.--
"(A) Suspension.--If a grantee under this section fails to meet 1 or more critical performance targets under paragraph (2), the Secretary may temporarily suspend the grant.
"(B) Performance improvement plan.--If the Secretary suspends a grant under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide to the grantee a performance improvement plan with the specific requirements needed to lift the suspension within a defined time period.
"(C) Report.--If a grantee fails to meet the spending thresholds established under paragraph (2), the grantee shall submit to the Secretary, the appropriate committees of Congress, and each member of Congress who represents a district or State of the grantee a written report identifying technical capacity, funding, or other Federal or State impediments affecting the ability of the grantee to meet the spending thresholds.
"(4) Collection of information and reporting.--
"(A) Requirement to report.--A grantee under this section shall provide to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may determine necessary for adequate oversight of the grant program under this section.
"(B) Public availability.--Subject to subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall make information submitted under subparagraph (A) available to the public and to the Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"(C) Summary status reports.--To increase transparency and accountability of the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall, on not less frequently than an annual basis, post on a public facing dashboard summary status reports for all active grants under this section that includes--
"(i) the status of funds by activity;
"(ii) the percentages of funds allocated and expended to benefit low- and moderate-income communities;
"(iii) performance targets, spending thresholds, and accomplishments; and
"(iv) other information the Secretary determines to be relevant for transparency.
"(D) Considerations.--In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that personally identifiable information regarding applicants for assistance provided from funds made available under this section is not made publicly available.
"(E) Research partnerships.--
"(i) In general.--The Secretary may, upon a formal request from researchers, make disaggregated information available to the requestor that is specific and relevant to the
research being conducted, and for the purposes of researching program impact and efficacy.
"(ii) Privacy protections.--In making information available under clause (i), the Secretary shall protect personally identifiable information as required under section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the `Privacy Act of 1974').
"(f) Eligible Activities.--
"(1) In general.--Activities assisted under this section--
"(A) may include activities permitted under section 105 or other activities permitted by the Secretary by waiver or alternative requirement pursuant to subsection (i); and
"(B) shall be related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from the major disaster for which the grant was awarded.
"(2) Prohibition.--Grant funds under this section may not be used for costs reimbursable by, or for which funds have been made available by, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
"(3) Administrative costs, technical assistance, and planning.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in regulation the maximum grant amounts a grantee may use for administrative costs, technical assistance, and planning activities, taking into consideration size of grant, complexity of recovery, and other factors as determined by the Secretary, but not to exceed 8 percent for administration and 20 percent in total.
"(B) Availability.--Amounts available for administrative costs for a grant under this section shall be available for eligible administrative costs of the grantee for any grant made under this section, without regard to a particular disaster.
"(C) Supplemental plan.--
"(i) In general.--Grantees may submit to the Secretary an optional supplemental plan to the grantee plan required under this title specifically for administrative costs, which shall include a description of the use of all grant funds for administrative costs, including for any eligible pre-award program administrative costs, and how such uses will prepare the grantee to more effectively and expeditiously administer funds provided under the full plan.
"(ii) Use of funds.--If a supplemental plan is approved under clause (i), a grantee may draw down the aforementioned administrative funds before the full grantee plan is approved.
"(iii) Waivers.--In carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary may include any waivers or alternative requirements in accordance with subsection (i).
"(4) Program income.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any grantee under this section may retain program income that is realized from grants made by the Secretary under this section if the grantee agrees that the grantee will utilize the program income in accordance with the requirements for grants under this section, except that the Secretary may--
"(A) by regulation, exclude from consideration as program income any amounts determined to be so small that compliance with this paragraph creates an unreasonable administrative burden on the grantee; or
"(B) permit the grantee to transfer remaining program income to the other grants of the grantee under this title upon closeout of the grant.
"(5) Prohibition on use of assistance for employment relocation activities.--
"(A) In general.--Grants under this section may not be used to assist directly in the relocation of any industrial or commercial plant, facility, or operation, from one area to another area, if the relocation is likely to result in a significant loss of employment in the labor market area from which the relocation occurs.
"(B) Applicability.--The prohibition under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a business that was operating in the disaster-declared labor market area before the incident date of the applicable disaster and has since moved, in whole or in part, from the affected area to another State or to a labor market area within the same State to continue business.
"(6) Requirements.--Grants under this section are subject to the requirements of this section, the other provisions of this title that apply to assistance under this section, and other applicable laws, unless modified by waivers or alternative requirements in accordance with subsection (i).
"(g) Environmental Review.--
"(1) Adoption.--A recipient of funds provided under this section that uses the funds to supplement Federal assistance provided under section 203, 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 408(c)(4), 428, or 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170a, 5170b, 5170c, 5172, 5173, 5174(c)(4), 5189f, 5192) may adopt, without review or public comment, any environmental review, approval, or permit performed by a Federal agency, and such adoption shall satisfy the responsibilities of the recipient with respect to such environmental review, approval, or permit under section 104(g)(1), so long as the actions covered by the existing environmental review, approval, or permit and the actions proposed for these supplemental funds are substantially the same.
"(2) Approval of release of funds.--Notwithstanding section 104(g)(2), the Secretary or a State may, upon receipt of a request for release of funds and certification, immediately approve the release of funds for an activity or project to be assisted under this section if the recipient has adopted an environmental review, approval, or permit under paragraph (1) or the activity or project is categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
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4321 et seq.).
"(3) Units of general local government.--The provisions of section 104(g)(4) shall apply to assistance under this section that a State distributes to a unit of general local government.
"(h) Financial Controls and Procedures.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop requirements and procedures to demonstrate that a grantee under this section--
"(A) has adequate financial controls and procurement processes;
"(B) has adequate procedures to detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and duplication of benefit; and
"(C) maintains a comprehensive and publicly accessible website.
"(2) Certification.--Before making a grant under this section, the Secretary shall certify that the grantee has in place proficient processes and procedures to comply with the requirements developed under paragraph (1), as determined by the Secretary.
"(3) Compliance before allocation.--The Secretary may permit a State, unit of general local government, or Indian tribe to demonstrate compliance with the requirements for adequate financial controls developed under paragraph (1) before a disaster occurs and before receiving an allocation for a grant under this section.
"(4) Duplication of benefits.--
"(A) In general.--Funds made available under this section shall be used in accordance with section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155) and such rules as may be prescribed under such section 312.
"(B) Penalties.--In any case in which the use of grant funds under this section results in a prohibited duplication of benefits, the grantee shall--
"(i) apply an amount equal to the identified duplication to any allowable costs of the award consistent with an actual, immediate cash requirement;
"(ii) remit any excess amounts to the Secretary to be credited to the obligated, undisbursed balance of the grant consistent with requirements on Federal payments applicable to such grantee; and
"(iii) if excess amounts under clause (ii) are identified after the period of performance or after the closeout of the award, remit such amounts to the Secretary to be credited to the Fund.
"(C) Failure to comply.--Any grantee provided funds under this section or from prior appropriations Acts under the heading `Community Development Fund' for purposes related to major disasters that fails to comply with section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155) or fails to satisfy penalties to resolve a duplication of benefits shall be subject to remedies for noncompliance under section 111, unless the Secretary publishes a determination in the Federal Register that it is not in the best interest of the Federal Government to pursue remedial actions.
"(i) Waivers and Alternative Requirements.--
"(1) In general.--In administering grants under this section, the Secretary may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use by the grantee of those funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, the environment, and the requirements of this section that do not expressly authorize modifications by waiver or alternative requirement), if the Secretary makes a public finding that good cause exists for the waiver or alternative requirement.
"(2) Effective date.--A waiver or alternative requirement described in paragraph (1) shall not take effect before the date that is 5 days after the date of publication of the waiver or alternative requirement on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the effective date for any regulation published in the Federal Register.
"(3) Public notification.--The Secretary shall notify the public of all waivers or alternative requirements described in paragraph (1) in accordance with the requirements of section 7(q)(3) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(q)(3)).
"(j) Unused Amounts.--
"(1) Deadline to use amounts.--A grantee under this section shall use an amount equal to the grant within 6 years beginning on the date on which the Secretary obligates the amounts to the grantee, as such period may be extended under paragraph (4).
"(2) Recapture.--The Secretary shall recapture and credit to the Fund any amount that is unused by a grantee under this section upon the earlier of--
"(A) the date on which the grantee notifies the Secretary that the grantee has completed all activities identified in the disaster grantee's plan under subsection (c); or
"(B) the expiration of the 6-year period described in paragraph (1), as such period may be extended under paragraph (4).
"(3) Retention of funds.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary--
"(A) shall allow a grantee under this section to retain amounts needed to close out grants; and
"(B) may allow a grantee under this section to retain up to 10 percent of the remaining funds to support maintenance of the minimal capacity to launch a new program in the event of a future disaster and to support pre-disaster long-term recovery and mitigation planning.
"(4) Extension of period for use of funds.--The Secretary may extend the 6-year period described in paragraph (1) by not more than 4 years, or not more than 6 years for mitigation activities, if--
"(A) the grantee submits to the Secretary--
"(i) written documentation of the exigent circumstances impacting the ability of the grantee to expend funds that could not be anticipated; or
"(ii) a justification that such request is necessary due to the nature and complexity of the program and projects; and
"(B) the Secretary submits a written justification for the extension to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives that specifies the period of that extension.
"(k) Definition.--In this section, the term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).".
(e) Regulations.--
(1) Proposed rules.--Following consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and other Federal agencies, not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue proposed rules to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section and shall provide a 90-day period for submission of public comments on those proposed rules.
(2) Final rules.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to carry out section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d).
(f) Coordination of Disaster Recovery Assistance, Benefits, and Data With Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) Coordination of disaster recovery assistance.--In order to ensure a comprehensive approach to Federal disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to the greatest extent practicable, in the implementation of assistance authorized under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d).
(2) Data sharing agreements.--To support the coordination of data to prevent duplication of benefits with other Federal disaster recovery programs while also expediting recovery and reducing burden on disaster survivors, the Department shall establish data sharing agreements that safeguard privacy with relevant Federal agencies to ensure disaster benefits effectively and efficiently reach intended beneficiaries, while using effective means of preventing harm to people and property.
(3) Data transfer from fema and sba to hud.--As permitted and deemed necessary for efficient program execution, and consistent with a computer matching agreement entered into under paragraph (6)(A), the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall provide data on disaster applicants to the Department, including, when necessary, personally identifiable information, disaster recovery needs, and resources determined eligible for, and amounts expended, to the Secretary for all major disasters declared by the President pursuant to section 401 of Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
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5170) for the purpose of providing additional assistance to disaster survivors and prevent duplication of benefits.
(4) Data transfers from hud to hud grantees.--The Secretary is authorized to provide to grantees under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), offices of the Department, technical assistance providers, and lenders information that in the determination of the Secretary is reasonably available and appropriate to inform the provision of assistance after a major disaster, including information provided to the Secretary by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, or other Federal agencies.
(5) Data transfers from hud grantees to hud, fema, and sba.--
(A) Reporting.--Grantees under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), shall report information requested by the Secretary on households, businesses, and other entities assisted and the type of assistance provided.
(B) Sharing information.--The Secretary shall share information collected under subparagraph (A) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and other Federal agencies to support the planning and delivery of disaster recovery and mitigation assistance and other related purposes.
(6) Privacy protection.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may make and receive data transfers authorized under this subsection, including the use and retention of that data for computer matching programs, to inform the provision of assistance, assess disaster recovery needs, and prevent the duplication of benefits and other waste, fraud, and abuse, provided that--
(i) the Secretary enters an information sharing agreement or a computer matching agreement, when required by section 522a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the "Privacy Act of 1974"), with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, or other Federal agencies covering the transfer of data; and
(ii) the Secretary publishes intent to disclose data in the Federal Register.
(B) Data sharing agreement.--Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), section 552a of title 5, United States Code, or any other law, the Secretary is authorized to share data with an entity identified in paragraph (4), and the entity is authorized to use the data as described in this section, if the Secretary enters a data sharing agreement with the entity before sharing or receiving any information under transfers authorized by this section, which data sharing agreement shall--
(i) in the determination of the Secretary, include measures adequate to safeguard the privacy and personally identifiable information of individuals; and
(ii) include provisions that describe how the personally identifiable information of an individual will be adequately safeguarded and protected, which requires consultation with the Secretary and the head of each Federal agency the data of which is being shared subject to the agreement.
(g) Sunset.--The program under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d) shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(h) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, should Congress opt to appropriate funds for disaster recovery through a similar successor program following the sunset date, subsection (g) shall not preclude Congress from doing so.
(i) Application.--Grants made under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), after the date of enactment of this Act shall be carried out using amounts appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 505. NEW MOVING TO WORK COHORT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Moving to work demonstration.--The term "Moving to Work demonstration" means the Moving to Work demonstration authorized under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
(2) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Authorization of Additional Public Housing Agencies.--
(1) In general.--After the completion of the initial report required under subsection (h)(2), the Secretary may add up to an additional 25 public housing agencies that are designated as high performing agencies under the Public Housing Assessment System or the Section 8 Management Assessment Program to participate in a new cohort as part of the Moving to Work demonstration.
(2) Name.--The new cohort authorized under paragraph (1) shall be entitled the "Economic Opportunity and Pathways to Independence Cohort".
(c) Waiver Authority.--
(1) In general.--Subject to this subsection, the authority of the Secretary to grant waivers to agencies admitted to the Moving to Work demonstration under this section or to designate policy changes as part of a cohort design under this section shall be limited to the Moving to Work waivers codified as of January 2025 in Appendix I of the document of the Department of Housing and Urban Development entitled "Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program" (FR-5994-N-05) published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2020, as amended by the notice entitled "Operations Notice for Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program Technical Revisions" (FR-5994-N-06) published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2025.
(2) Modifications.--The Secretary may not waive the safe harbor requirements that apply to the Moving to Work waivers described in paragraph (1) or modify those waivers in any other way for the purposes of the new cohort under this section.
(3) Exceptions.--
(A) In general.--Under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not grant waiver 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1k, 1l, 1o, 1p, 1q, 6, 7, 9a, 9h, or 12 in the document described in paragraph (1), including
modifications of or safe harbor requirement waivers for such waivers.
(B) Specific wavers.--If the Secretary grants waiver 10 or 11 in the document described in paragraph (1), resident participation in any program administered pursuant to those waivers shall be optional for purposes of the new cohort under this section.
(4) Policy options.--In carrying out the Moving to Work demonstration cohort established under this section, the Secretary may consider policy options to provide opt-out savings or escrow accounts and report positive rental payments to consumer reporting agencies (as defined in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a)) with resident consent.
(d) Funding and Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Public housing agencies in the cohort authorized under this section may expend not more than 5 percent of the amounts those public housing agencies receive in any fiscal year for housing assistance payments under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) for purposes other than such housing assistance payments.
(2) Other uses.--Such other uses of amounts described in paragraph (1) shall comply with all other applicable requirements.
(3) Formula.--
(A) Renewal.--The amount of funding public housing agencies receive for renewal of housing assistance payments under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) shall be determined according to the same funding formula applicable to public housing agencies that do not participate in the Moving to Work demonstration, except that the Secretary shall provide public housing agencies funding to renew any funds expended under this subsection, with an adjustment for inflation.
(B) Administrative fees.--The amount of funding public housing agencies receive for administrative fees under section 8(q) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(q)), public housing operating subsidies under section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(e)), and public housing capital funding under section 9(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(d)) shall be determined according to the same funding formula applicable to public housing agencies that do not participate in the Moving to Work demonstration.
(e) Selection Requirements.--The Secretary shall select public housing agencies designated under this section through a competitive process, as determined by the Secretary, with the following parameters:
(1) No public housing agency shall be granted this designation under this section that administers more than 27,000 aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units.
(2) Of the public housing agencies selected under this section, not more than 12 shall administer 1,000 or fewer aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units, not more than 8 shall administer between 1,001 and 6,000 aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units, and not more than 5 shall administer between 6,001 and 27,000 aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units.
(3) Selection of public housing agencies under this section shall be based on ensuring the geographic diversity of Moving to Work demonstration public housing agencies.
(4) Within the requirements under paragraphs (1) through (3), the Secretary shall prioritize selecting public housing agencies that serve families with children and youth aging out of foster care at a rate above the national average.
(f) Requirements for Selected Public Housing Agencies.--Consistent with section 204(c)(3) of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), public housing agencies selected for the Moving to Work demonstration under this section shall--
(1) ensure that not less than 75 percent of the families assisted are very low-income families, as defined in section 3(b)(2)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
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1437a(b)(2)(B));
(2) establish a reasonable rent policy, which shall be designed to encourage employment and self-sufficiency by participating families, consistent with the purpose of the Moving to Work demonstration, such as by excluding some or all of a family's earned income for purposes of determining rent;
(3) continue to assist substantially the same total number of eligible low-income families as would have been served had the amounts not been combined;
(4) maintain a comparable mix of families (by family size) as would have been provided had the amounts not been used under the Moving to Work demonstration; and
(5) assure that housing assisted under the Moving to Work demonstration meets housing quality standards established or approved by the Secretary.
(g) Noncompliance.--
(1) In general.--If the Secretary finds that a public housing agency participating in the cohort authorized under this section is not in compliance with the requirements under this section, the Secretary shall make a determination of noncompliance.
(2) Compliance.--Upon making a determination under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall develop a process to bring the public housing agency into compliance.
(3) Removal.--If a public housing agency cannot be brought into compliance under the process developed under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall remove the participating public housing agency from the cohort and replace it with a similarly qualified public housing agency currently not in the cohort chosen in the manner described in subsection (e).
(4) Notification.--Upon removing a public housing agency under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall immediately submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives--
(A) a notification of the removal; and
(B) a report on the active steps the Secretary is taking to replace the public housing agency with a new public housing agency.
(h) Comprehensive Moving to Work Reporting and Oversight Requirements.--
(1) Cohort research.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall continue ongoing research investigations commenced as part of the assessment of the cohorts established under section 239 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2016 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note; Public Law 114-113), make public all products completed as part of those investigations, and keep such products online for at least 5 years.
(B) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the advisory committee established under section 239 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2016 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note; Public Law 114-113) to establish a research program to evaluate the outcomes and efficacy of the following for all Moving to Work demonstration agencies designated under the authority under such section and this section:
(i) The waivers granted to each cohort and whether those waivers accomplish the goals of achieving greater cost effectiveness and administrative capacity, incentivizing families to become economically self-sufficient, and increasing housing choice.
(ii) The additional flexibilities granted to individual public housing agencies under each cohort.
(iii) How the flexibilities described in clause (ii) were used for local, non-traditional activities.
(2) Comprehensive reporting requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report that contains the following for each Moving to Work demonstration cohort under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), section 239 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2016 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note; Public Law 114-113), and this section:
(A) The annual administrative plans of each Moving to Work demonstration public housing agency.
(B) Assessments of longitudinal data, including data on units, households, and outcomes, which shall be evaluated to compare changes in the following trends before and after Moving to Work demonstration designation:
(i) Impacts on tenants based on the following, disaggregated by the public housing program and the housing choice voucher program:
(I) Eviction rates.
(II) Hardship policy usage.
(III) Share of rent covered by a household.
(IV) Turnover, including the number of household moves with or without continued assistance.
(V) Reasons for exit from the program.
(VI) The number and characteristics of households served, including households with a non-elderly family member with a disability, households with 3 or more minors, homelessness status at the time of admission, and average and median income as a percent of area median income.
(ii) Impacts on public housing agency operations based on the following:
(I) The number of units, broken down by type.
(II) The size, including the number of bedrooms per unit, accessibility, affordability, and quality of units.
(III) The length of each waitlist maintained and average wait times.
(IV) Changes in capital backlog needs and surplus fund and reserve levels.
(V) The number of public housing units undergoing a conversion under the rental assistance demonstration program authorized under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-55; 125 Stat. 673) or demolition or disposition projects under section 18 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437p), including the number of units lost and the location of any replacement housing resulting from demolition or disposition.
(VI) The share of project-based vouchers compared to tenant-based vouchers.
(VII) The following annual housing choice voucher data:
(aa) Voucher unit utilization rates.
(bb) Voucher budget utilization rates.
(cc) Annualized voucher success rate.
(dd) Demographic composition of households issued vouchers compared to utilized vouchers.
(ee) Average time to lease-up.
(ff) Average cost per voucher.
(gg) Average cost per landlord incentive.
(hh) Ratio of the proportion of voucher households living in concentrated low-income areas to the proportion of renter-occupied units in concentrated low-income areas.
(ii) Characteristics of census tracts where voucher recipients reside.
(VIII) How the public housing agency met each of the statutory requirements in section 204(c)(3) of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
(iii) Impacts on public housing staffing and capacity, including the average public housing agency operating, administrative, and housing assistance payment expenditures per household per month.
(C) Legislative recommendations for flexibilities that could be expanded to all public housing agencies and how each flexibility enhances housing choice, affordability, and administrative capacity and efficiency for public housing agencies.
(3) Public availability.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall maintain all reports submitted pursuant to this section in a manner that is publicly available, accessible, and searchable on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for not less than 5 years.
(B) Other information.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall make the annual plan of the Moving to Work demonstration, the Section 8 administrative plan, and the admission and continued occupancy policy for each year publicly available in 1 location on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for not less than 5 years.
(ii) Database.--The Secretary may establish a searchable database on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to track the types of flexibilities into which Moving to Work demonstration public housing agencies have opted or for which a waiver was approved by the Secretary, disaggregated by the year such flexibilities were adopted or approved.
SEC. 601. MILITARY SERVICE QUESTION.
(a) In General.--Subpart A of part 2 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4541 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 1329. UNIFORM RESIDENTIAL LOAN APPLICATION.
"Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Director shall, by regulation or order, require each enterprise to include a disclosure below the military service question, which shall be above the signature line, on the form known as the Uniform Residential Loan Application stating, `If yes, you may qualify for a VA Home Loan. Consult your lender regarding eligibility.'.".
(b) GAO Study.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on whether or not less than 80 percent of lenders using the Uniform Residential Loan Application have included on that form the disclaimer required under section 1329 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as added by subsection (a).
SEC. 602. HOUSING UNHOUSED DISABLED VETERANS ACT.
(a) Exclusion of Certain Disability Benefits.--Section 3(b)(4)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(4)(B)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v) as clauses (vi) and (vii), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
"(iv) for the purpose of determining income eligibility with respect to the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19), any disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, received by a veteran, except that this exclusion shall not apply to the income in the definition of adjusted income;
"(v) for the purpose of determining income eligibility with respect to any household receiving rental assistance under the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19) as it relates to eligibility for other types of housing assistance, any disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, received by a veteran, but such amounts shall not be excluded from income when determining adjusted income;".
(b) Treatment of Certain Disability Benefits.--
(1) In general.--When determining the eligibility of a veteran to rent a residential dwelling unit constructed on Department property on or after the date of enactment of this Act, for which assistance is provided as part of a housing assistance program administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall exclude from income any disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code by such person.
(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Department property.--The term "Department property" has the meaning given the term in section 901 of title 38, United States Code.
(B) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
SEC. 603. VETERANS AFFAIRS LOAN INFORMED DISCLOSURE (VALID)
ACT.
(a) FHA Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure.--
(1) Inclusion of information relating to va loans.--Subparagraph (A) of section 203(f)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
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1709(f)(2)(A)) is amended--
(A) by striking "ratio in" and inserting "ratio--
"(i) in"; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
"(ii) in connection with a loan guaranteed or insured under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, assuming prevailing interest rates; and".
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in the amendments made by paragraph (1) shall be construed to require an original lender to determine whether a prospective borrower is eligible for any loan included in the notice required under section 203(f) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(f)).
(b) Military Service Question.--
(1) In general.--Subpart A of part 2 of subtitle A of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4541 et seq.), as amended by section 601(a) of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 1330. UNIFORM RESIDENTIAL LOAN APPLICATION.
"Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Director shall require each enterprise to--
"(1) include a military service question on the form known as the Uniform Residential Loan Application to include selection options of `Yes', `No', and "Prefer Not To Answer"; and
"(2) position the question described in paragraph (1) above the signature line of the Uniform Residential Loan Application.".
(2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency shall issue a rule to carry out the amendment made by this section.
SEC. 701. REQUIRING ANNUAL TESTIMONY AND OVERSIGHT FROM
HOUSING REGULATORS.
Section 7 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(u) Annual Testimony.--The Secretary shall appear before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives at an annual hearing and present testimony regarding the operations of the Department during the preceding year, including--
"(1) the current programs and operations of the Department;
"(2) the physical condition of all public housing and other housing assisted by the Department;
"(3) the financial health of the mortgage insurance funds of the Federal Housing Agency;
"(4) oversight by the Department of grantees and subgrantees for purposes of preventing waste, fraud, and abuse;
"(5) the progress made by the Federal Government in ending the affordable housing and homelessness crises;
"(6) the capacity of the Department to deliver on its statutory mission; and
"(7) other ongoing activities of the Department, as appropriate.".
SEC. 702. FHA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS.
Section 202(a) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(8) Other required reporting.--The Secretary shall--
"(A) submit to Congress monthly reports on the capital ratio required under section 205(f)(2); and
"(B) notify Congress as soon as practicable after the Fund falls below the capital ratio required under section 205(f)(2).".
SEC. 703. UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS
OVERSIGHT.
Section 203(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11313(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009" and inserting "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act"; and
(B) by striking "update such plan annually" and inserting "submit to the President and Congress a report every year thereafter that includes--
"(A) the status of completion of the plan; and
"(B) any modifications that were made to the plan and the reasons for those modifications;";
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (13) as paragraphs (11) through (14), respectively;
(3) by redesignating the second paragraph (9) (relating to collecting and disseminating information) as paragraph (10);
(4) in paragraph (13), as so redesignated, by striking "and" at the end;
(5) in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
"(15) testify annually before Congress, if requested.".
SEC. 704. APPRAISAL MODERNIZATION ACT.
(a) Reconsideration of Value.--
(1) Federally backed mortgage loan defined.--In this subsection, the term "federally backed mortgage loan" has the meaning given the term in section 4022 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9056).
(2) Requirement.--The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration, and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency shall each implement and maintain requirements that creditors of a federally backed mortgage loan have a review and resolution procedure for a consumer-initiated reconsideration of value or subsequent appraisal in connection with a consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling.
(b) Public Appraisal Database.--
(1) Covered agencies defined.--In this subsection, the term "covered agencies" means--
(A) the Federal Housing Finance Agency, on behalf of the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation;
(B) the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Federal Housing Administration;
(C) the Department of Agriculture; and
(D) the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2) Feasibility report.--Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a public report assessing the feasibility of creating a publicly available appraisal database that consists of a searchable and downloadable appraisal-level public use file that consolidates appraisal data held or aggregated by covered agencies, including--
(A) the costs and benefits associated with establishing and maintaining the public database;
(B) the benefits and risks associated with the Federal Housing Finance Agency or the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection being responsible for the public database and whether there is another Federal agency best suited for implementing and administering such database;
(C) any safety and soundness, antitrust, or consumer privacy-related risks associated with making certain appraisal data factors publicly available, including whether--
(i) there are any existing legal requirements, including under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 (12 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) and section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the "Freedom of Information Act"), or additional actions Federal agencies could take to mitigate such risks, such as modifying or aggregating data or eliminating personally identifiable information; and
(ii) there are any data factors that, if made public, may violate conduct, ethics, or other professional standards as they relate to appraisals and appraisal or valuation professionals;
(D) the feasibility of consolidating or matching appraisal data held by covered agencies with corresponding data that are required and made public under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 (12 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.);
(E) whether the publication of any appraisal data factors may pose unfair business advantages within the valuation industry;
(F) the feasibility of including all valuation data held by covered agencies, including data produced by automated valuation models;
(G) the feasibility and benefits of making the full appraisal dataset, including any modified fields, available to--
(i) Federal agencies, including for purposes related to enforcement and supervision responsibilities;
(ii) relevant State licensing, supervision, and enforcement agencies and State attorneys general;
(iii) approved researchers, including academics and nonprofit organizations that, in connection with their mission, work to ensure the fairness and consistency of home valuations, including appraisals; and
(iv) any other entities identified by the Comptroller General as having a compelling use for disaggregated data;
(H) what appraisal data are already available in the public domain; and
(I) the feasibility of incorporating legacy data held by covered agencies during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act, and whether there are specific data points not easily consolidated or matched, as described in subparagraph (D), with more recent data.
(3) Purpose.--The database described in paragraph (2) shall be used to provide the public, the Federal Government, and State governments with residential real estate appraisal data to help determine whether financial institutions, appraisal management companies, appraisers, valuation technologies, such as automated valuation models, and other valuation professionals are effectively serving the entire housing market.
(4) Consultation.--As part of the information used in the report required under paragraph (2), the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct interviews with--
(A) relevant Federal agencies;
(B) relevant State licensing, supervision, and enforcement agencies and State attorneys general;
(C) appraisers and other home valuation industry professionals;
(D) mortgage lending institutions;
(E) fair housing and fair lending experts; and
(F) any other relevant stakeholders as determined by the Comptroller General.
(5) Hearing.--Upon the completion of the report under paragraph (2), the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives shall each hold a hearing on the findings of the report and the feasibility of establishing a public appraisal-level appraisal database.
TITLE VIII--ACCOUNTABILITY, COORDINATION, STUDIES, AND REPORTING
SEC. 801. HUD-USDA-VA INTERAGENCY COORDINATION ACT.
(a) Memorandum of Understanding.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a memorandum of understanding, or other appropriate interagency agreement, to share relevant housing-related research and market data that facilitate evidence-based policymaking.
(b) Interagency Report.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report containing--
(A) a description of opportunities for increased collaboration between the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce inefficiencies in housing programs;
(B) a list of Federal laws (including regulations) that adversely affect the availability and affordability of new construction of assisted housing and single-family and multifamily residential housing subject to mortgages insured under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.), insured, guaranteed, or made by the Secretary of Agriculture under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), or insured, guaranteed, or made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code; and
(C) recommendations for Congress regarding the Federal laws (including regulations) described in subparagraph (B).
(2) Publication.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall, prior to submission under this subsection, be published in the Federal Register and open for comment for a period of 30 days.
SEC. 802.
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STREAMLINING RURAL HOUSING ACT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to--
(1) evaluate categorical exclusions under the environmental review process for housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture;
(2) develop a process to designate a lead agency and streamline adoption of Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments approved by the other Department to construct housing projects funded by both agencies;
(3) maintain compliance with environmental regulations under part 58 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025, except as required to amend, add, or remove categorical exclusions identified under section 58.35 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, through standard rulemaking procedures; and
(4) evaluate the feasibility of a joint physical inspection process for housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report that includes recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or administrative actions--
(1) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture; and
(2) that do not materially, with respect to residents of housing projects described in paragraph (1)--
(A) reduce the safety of those residents;
(B) shift long-term costs onto those residents; or
(C) undermine the environmental standards of those residents.
SEC. 803. IMPROVING SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF FAMILIES IN HUD-
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.
(a) In General.--
(1) Study.--Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall conduct a study on the implementation of work requirements implemented prior to the date of enactment of this Act by public housing agencies described in paragraph (4) participating in the Moving to Work demonstration authorized under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
(2) Scope.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) consider the short-, medium-, and long-term benefits and challenges of work requirements on public housing agencies described in paragraph (4) and on program participants who are subject to such requirements, including the effects work requirements have on homelessness rates, poverty rates, asset building, earnings growth, job attainment and retention, and public housing agencies' administrative capacity; and
(B) include quantitative and qualitative evidence, including interviews with program participants described in subparagraph (A) and their respective resident councils.
(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on the initial findings of the study required under paragraph (1).
(4) Public housing agencies described.--The public housing agencies described in this paragraph are public housing agencies that, as part of an application to participate in the demonstration authorized under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), submit a proposal identifying work requirements as an innovative proposal.
(b) Determination.--The requirement under subsection (a) shall apply if the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines that--
(1) there are a sufficient number of public housing agencies described in subsection (a)(4) such that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development can rigorously evaluate the impact of the implementation of work requirements described in that subsection; and
(2) the study would not negatively impact low-income families receiving assistance through a public housing agency described in subsection (a)(4).
SEC. 804. GAO STUDIES.
(a) Workforce Housing Study.--
(1) Middle-income household defined.--In this subsection, the term "middle-income household" means a household with an income above 80 percent but that does not exceed 120 percent of the median family income of the area, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with adjustments for smaller and larger families.
(2) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report that--
(A) identifies obstacles middle-income households face when looking to secure affordable housing;
(B) identifies geographic areas where housing is the most unaffordable and unavailable for middle-income households;
(C) includes a list of Federal housing programs, including Federal tax credits, grants, and loan programs, that are not available to middle-income households due to their income status, including Federal housing programs designed to promote affordability;
(D) recommends income and other parameters to establish a clear and consistent Federal definition for the term "workforce housing" for use when describing the segment of housing that could be made available to those middle-income households in Federal housing programs if funding commensurate with the additional eligibility were to be made available; and
(E) analyzes how to modify or newly develop new Federal housing programs and incentives to include "workforce housing" if funding commensurate with the additional eligibility were to be made available.
(b) Housing for Elderly or Disabled.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study and submit to Congress a report that identifies options to remove barriers and improve housing for persons who are elderly or disabled, including any potential impacts of providing capital advances for--
(1) the program for supportive housing for the elderly under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q); and
(2) the program for supportive housing for persons with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013).
(c) Proximity of Housing to Superfund Sites.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study and submit to Congress a report that identifies how many residential dwelling units, and how many dwelling units that are a part of public housing (as defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))), are located less than 1 mile from a site that is included on the National Priorities List established pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9605).
(d) Residential Heirs Property.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study and submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report that--
(1) establishes a comprehensive definition of residential heirs property, or family land inherited without a will or legal documentation of ownership;
(2) examines the occurrence of and consequences to owners of residential heirs property, and provides an estimate regarding the number of current residential heirs properties;
(3) describes the objectives and requirements of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2010;
(4) details the various resources that may be available to the owners of residential heirs properties, including housing counseling, legal services, and financial assistance to resolve residential heirs property title issues from the Federal Government, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education; and
(5) makes recommendations with respect to how to reduce the number of residential heirs properties, including--
(A) by incentivizing States and other jurisdictions which enact or adopt the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act or similar such reforms;
(B) by awarding grants to States and other jurisdictions to assist residents of those States and jurisdictions to establish and document property ownership rights or settle a decedent's estate;
(C) by awarding grants to entities that--
(i) provide housing counseling, legal assistance, and financial assistance to home-owners and their heirs relating to title clearing and home retention efforts of heirs' property; and
(ii) target services to low- and moderate-income persons or provide services in neighborhoods that have a high concentration of low- and moderate-income persons; and
(D) by conducting other activities that assist individuals to clear title with respect to heirs' property and with general estate planning.
SEC. 805. IMPROVING PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered public housing agency.--The term "covered public housing agency" means a public housing agency (as defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
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1437a(b))) for which an administrative or judicial receiver or Federal monitor was appointed.
(2) Inspector general.--The term "Inspector General" means the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Required Notice.--The Secretary shall require each covered public housing agency to provide a notice each year to the Secretary that--
(1) indicates that if a receiver or Federal monitor remains appointed for the covered public housing agency as of October 1 of the calendar year to which the notice relates;
(2) provides the date on which the receiver or Federal monitor was first appointed and the projected date, if known, the appointment of the receiver or Federal monitor will be terminated; and
(3) identifies the current receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee the public housing agency.
(c) Federal Monitor and Receiver Transparency.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than October 1 of each year, each receiver or Federal monitor that is currently appointed to oversee a covered public housing agency shall provide to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a written assessment that--
(A) describes the management and oversight activities of the receiver or Federal monitor for the covered public housing agency;
(B) identifies the significant factors that led to the appointment of the receiver or Federal monitor for the covered public housing agency;
(C) identifies the factors that remain unresolved at the covered public housing agency that have led to the continued oversight of the receiver or Federal monitor; and
(D) includes a timeline developed by the receiver or Federal monitor that projects when the factors identified under subparagraphs (B) and (C) will be resolved.
(2) Additional information.--In addition to the written assessment required in paragraph (1), upon written request by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, each receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee a covered public housing agency shall promptly furnish additional or supplemental information requested by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives with respect to the covered public housing agency that such receiver or Federal monitor is appointed to oversee, including presenting testimony upon request.
(d) Disclosure Required.--The Secretary shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, require each covered public housing agency to publicly disclose, on the website of the covered public housing agency, with respect to each contract entered into by such covered public housing
agency in the preceding year, the following information:
(1) All material information about the contract, including the goods and service provided.
(2) The identity of the vendor selected to receive the contract.
(3) The date of the solicitation of the contract.
(4) The relevant information pertaining to the bids and quotes solicited for the contract.
(5) The name of the official who solicited the contract.
(e) Inspector General Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a written request from the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Inspector General shall provide to the requesting committee an analysis of--
(1) the status of any covered public housing agency's compliance with any agreements entered into between the covered public housing agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including specific areas of deficiency and progress toward compliance;
(2) a review of actions taken by the receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee a covered public housing agency and any private sector housing development partners pursuant to such agreement, including any gaps in oversight by the receiver or Federal monitor;
(3) an assessment of the physical conditions of housing provided by the covered public housing agency, including the status of the covered public housing agency's compliance with relevant health and safety requirements;
(4) an examination of any allegations of waste, fraud, abuse or violations of Federal law committed by employees or contractors of the covered public housing agency;
(5) any additional pertinent information, as determined necessary and appropriate by the inspector general; and
(6) any recommendations of the inspector general that relate to how to improve the compliance of the covered public housing agency with any agreements entered into with the Department of Housing and Urban Development or enhance the oversight of the receiver or Federal monitor over such covered public housing agency.
TITLE IX--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BANKS' ROLE IN HOUSING
SEC. 901. COMMUNITY BANK DEPOSIT ACCESS.
(a) In General.--Section 29 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831f) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(j) Limited Exception for Custodial Deposits.--
"(1) In general.--Custodial deposits of an eligible institution shall not be considered to be funds obtained, directly or indirectly, by or through a deposit broker to the extent that the total amount of such custodial deposits does not exceed an amount equal to 20 percent of the total liabilities of the eligible institution.
"(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
"(A) Custodial deposit.--The term `custodial deposit' means a deposit that is not deposited at an insured depository institution in return for fees paid by the insured depository institution pursuant to an agreement with a third party and that would otherwise be considered to be obtained, directly or indirectly, by or through a deposit broker, if the deposit is deposited at 1 or more insured depository institutions, for the purpose of providing or maintaining deposit insurance for the benefit of a third party, by or through any of the following, each acting in a formal custodial or fiduciary capacity for the benefit of a third party:
"(i) An insured depository institution serving as agent, trustee, or custodian.
"(ii) A trust entity controlled by an insured depository institution serving as agent, trustee, or custodian.
"(iii) A State-chartered trust company serving as agent, trustee, or custodian.
"(iv) A plan administrator or investment advisor, acting in a formal custodial or fiduciary capacity for the benefit of a plan.
"(B) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible institution' means an insured depository institution that accepts custodial deposits, if the insured depository institution has less than $10,000,000,000 in total assets as reported on the consolidated report of condition and income as reported quarterly to the appropriate Federal banking agency and--
"(i)(I) when most recently examined under section 10(d) was assigned a composite rating of 1, 2, or 3 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system); and
"(II) is well capitalized; or
"(ii) has obtained a waiver pursuant to subsection (c).
"(C) Plan.--The term `plan' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002).
"(D) Plan administrator.--The term `plan administrator' has the meaning given the term `administrator' in section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002).
"(E) Well capitalized.--The term `well capitalized' has the meaning given the term in section 38(b).".
(b) Interest Rate Restriction.--Section 29 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831f), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
"(k) Restriction on Interest Rate Paid on Certain Custodial Deposits.--
"(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
"(A) the terms `custodial deposit', `eligible institution', and `well capitalized' have the meanings given those terms in subsection (j); and
"(B) the term `covered insured depository institution' means an insured depository institution that while acting as an eligible institution under subsection (j), accepts custodial deposits while not well capitalized.
"(2) Prohibition.--A covered insured depository institution may not pay a rate of interest on custodial deposits that are accepted while not well capitalized that, at the time the funds or custodial deposits are accepted, significantly exceeds the limit set forth in paragraph (3).
"(3) Limit on interest rates.--The limit on the rate of interest referred to in paragraph (2) shall be not greater than--
"(A) the rate paid on deposits of similar maturity in the normal market area of the covered insured depository institution for deposits accepted in the normal market area of the covered insured depository institution; or
"(B) the national rate paid on deposits of comparable maturity, as established by the Corporation, for deposits accepted outside the normal market area of the covered insured depository institution.".
SEC. 902. KEEPING DEPOSITS LOCAL.
(a) Amount of Reciprocal Deposits That Are Not Considered to Be Funds Obtained by or Through a Deposit Broker.--Section 29(i) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831f(i)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
"(1) In general.--The sum of the following amounts of reciprocal deposits of an agent institution shall not be considered to be funds obtained, directly or indirectly, by or through a deposit broker:
"(A) An amount equal to 50 percent of the portion of the total liabilities of the agent institution that is less than or equal to $1,000,000,000.
"(B) An amount equal to 40 percent of the portion, if any, of the total liabilities of the agent institution that is greater than $1,000,000,000, but less than or equal to $10,000,000,000.
"(C) An amount equal to 30 percent of the portion, if any, of the total liabilities of the agent institution that is greater than $10,000,000,000, but less than or equal to $96,333,333,333.".
(b) Definition of Agent Institution.--Section 29(i)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
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1831f(i)(2)(A)(i)) is amended by striking "was found to have a composite condition of outstanding or good" and inserting "was assigned a CAMELS rating of 1, 2, or 3 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system)".
(c) Reciprocal Deposits Study.--
(1) In general.--The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, shall carry out a study on reciprocal deposits.
(2) Contents.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an analysis of how reciprocal deposits have performed since 2018, which shall include--
(i) the use of quantitative and qualitative data;
(ii) a breakdown of the usage of reciprocal deposits by size of insured depository institution;
(iii) the usage of reciprocal deposits during periods of stress; and
(iv) an analysis, to the extent practicable, of end-user depositors, such as municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, that drive demand for reciprocal products;
(B) an analysis, to the extent practicable, of how reciprocal deposits compare to other deposit arrangements; and
(C) an analysis of the benefits and potential risks of reciprocal deposits.
(3) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1).
SEC. 903. TAILORED REGULATORY UPDATES FOR SUPERVISORY
TESTING.
Section 10(d) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1820(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking "$3,000,000,000" and inserting "$6,000,000,000"; and
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking "$3,000,000,000" and inserting "$6,000,000,000".
SEC. 904. CREDIT UNION BOARD MODERNIZATION.
Section 113 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1761b) is amended--
(1) by striking "monthly" each place such term appears;
(2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "The board of directors" and inserting the following:
"(a) In General.--The board of directors";
(3) in subsection (a) (as so designated), by striking "shall meet at least once a month and"; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
"(b) Meetings.--The board of directors of a Federal credit union shall meet as follows:
"(1) With respect to a de novo Federal credit union, not less frequently than monthly during each of the first five years of the existence of such Federal credit union.
"(2) Not less than six times annually, with at least one meeting held during each fiscal quarter, with respect to a Federal credit union--
"(A) with a composite rating of either 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system); and
"(B) with a capability of management rating under such composite rating of either 1 or 2.
"(3) Not less frequently than once a month, with respect to a Federal credit union--
"(A) with a composite rating of either 3, 4, or 5 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system); or
"(B) with a capability of management rating under such composite rating of either 3, 4, or 5.".
SEC. 905. SYSTEMIC RISK AUTHORITY TRANSPARENCY.
(a) GAO Review.--Section 13(c)(4)(G)(iv) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1823(c)(4)(G)(iv)) is amended to read as follows:
"(iv) GAO review.--
"(I) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall, not later than 60 days after a determination is made under clause (i), and again 180 days thereafter, review and report to the Congress on the determination under clause (i), including--
"(aa) the basis for the determination;
"(bb) the purpose for which any action was taken pursuant to such clause;
"(cc) the likely effect of the determination and such action on the incentives and conduct of insured depository institutions and uninsured depositors;
"(dd) any mismanagement by the executives and board of the insured depository institution that contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution;
"(ee) a review of the compensation practices of the insured depository institution;
"(ff) any supervisory or regulatory shortcomings with respect to the appropriate Federal banking agency of the insured depository institution;
"(gg) any actions taken by the Federal banking regulators, Financial Stability Oversight Council, Department of the Treasury, and other relevant financial regulators in relation to the failure of the insured depository institution; and
"(hh) any additional relevant entities or activities that may have contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution, including with respect to auditing, accounting, credit rating agencies, investment bank underwriters, and emergency liquidity options such as loans from the Federal reserve banks or advances through the Federal Home Loan Bank system.
"(II) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this clause or a report issued pursuant to this clause may be construed to limit the authority of a Federal agency to enforce violations of Federal statutes, rules, or orders.".
(b) Appropriate Federal Banking Agency Report.--Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1823(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(12) Appropriate federal banking agency report.--
"(A) In general.--The appropriate Federal banking agency of an insured depository institution about which a determination is made under paragraph (4)(G)(i) shall, not later than 90 days after the date of such determination, and again 210 days thereafter, submit a report to the Congress that discloses the following:
"(i) Subject to such redactions as the appropriate Federal banking agency determines appropriate to protect personally identifiable information about customers and other financial institutions (as such term is defined under section 11(e)(9)(D))--
"(I) all reports of examination and inspection that relate to the failed insured depository institution in the previous 3-year period;
"(II) all formal communications of a material supervisory determination conveyed to the failed insured depository institution in the previous 3-year period; and
"(III) any additional exam reports and correspondence that the appropriate Federal banking agency determines may be relevant to the failure of the insured depository institution.
"(ii) An examination of any mismanagement by the executives and board of the insured depository institution that contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution.
"(iii) Any supervisory or regulatory shortcomings by such appropriate Federal banking agency with respect to the insured depository institution.
"(iv) Any dynamics that the appropriate Federal banking agency determines may have contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution.
"(v) Any supervisory, regulatory, or legislative recommendations such appropriate Federal banking agency may have to improve the safety and soundness of similarly situated insured depository institutions, the banking system, and financial stability.
"(B) Protection of sensitive information.--
"(i) Effect on privilege.--The provision of any information by a Federal banking agency under this paragraph may not be construed as--
"(I) waiving, destroying, or otherwise affecting any privilege applicable to the information; or
"(II) waiving any exemption applicable to the information under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the `Freedom of Information Act').
"(ii) Transparency.--
"(I) In general.--A Federal banking agency shall publish materials contained in a report required under subparagraph (A) to the fullest extent possible to promote transparency.
"(II) Consultation on omitting materials.--If a Federal banking agency determines particular materials described under subclause (I) should not be published, the Federal banking agency shall consult with the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
"(III) Omitting materials.--If, after the consultation required under subclause (II), the Federal banking agency determines there is a substantial public interest in not publishing such materials, the Federal banking agency shall provide those materials to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate with a written explanation describing the reasons for not publishing those materials.
"(iii) Privilege.--For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `privilege' includes any work-product, attorney-client, or other privilege recognized under Federal or State law.
"(C) Report extension.--A Federal banking agency may extend a deadline described under subparagraph (A) for an additional 60 days, if the Federal banking agency--
"(i) faces ongoing circumstances that require the Federal banking agency to prioritize activities to promote stability of the United States banking system; and
"(ii) notifies the Congress of such extension and the reasons for such extension.
"(D) Consolidated reports.--A Federal banking agency may consolidate multiple reports required under this paragraph so long as the individual reports being consolidated all meet the timing requirements under this paragraph.
"(E) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph or reports or materials provided pursuant to this paragraph may be construed to limit the authority of a Federal agency to enforce violations of Federal statutes, rules, or orders.".
SEC. 906. ADVANCING THE MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM FOR SMALL
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
Section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C.
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1463 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
"(d) Financial Agent Mentor-protege Program.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program to be known as the `Financial Agent Mentor-Protege Program' (in this subsection referred to as the `Program') under which a financial agent designated by the Secretary or a large financial institution may serve as a mentor, under guidance or regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to a small financial institution to allow such small financial institution--
"(A) to be prepared to perform as a financial agent; or
"(B) to improve capacity to provide services to the customers of the small financial institution.
"(2) Outreach.--The Secretary shall hold outreach events to promote the participation of financial agents, large financial institutions, and small financial institutions in the Program at least once a year.
"(3) Exclusion.--The Secretary shall issue guidance or regulations to establish a process under which a financial agent, large financial institution, or small financial institution may be excluded from participation in the Program.
"(4) Report.--The Secretary shall report to Congress information pertaining to the Program, including--
"(A) the number of financial agents, large financial institutions, and small financial institutions participating in such Program; and
"(B) the number of outreach events described in paragraph (2) held during the year covered by such report.
"(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
"(A) Financial agent.--The term `financial agent' means any national banking association designated by the Secretary to be employed as a financial agent of the Government.
"(B) Large financial institution.--The term `large financial institution' means any entity regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration that has total consolidated assets greater than or equal to $50,000,000,000.
"(C) Rural depository institution.--The term `rural depository institution' means a depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813))--
"(i) with total consolidated assets of less than $10,000,000,000; and
"(ii) located in a rural area, as defined under section 1026.35(b)(2)(iv)(A) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.
"(D) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Treasury.
"(E) Small financial institution.--The term `small financial institution' means--
"(i) any entity regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration that has total consolidated assets less than or equal to $2,000,000,000;
"(ii) a minority depository institution; or
"(iii) a rural depository institution.".
SEC. 907. AMERICAN ACCESS TO BANKING.
(a) Streamlining Application Process and Review of Capital Raising by De Novo Regulated Institutions.--
(1) In general.--Each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall--
(A) for the purpose of streamlining the process of applying to become a de novo regulated institution, conduct a review of any application forms related to such process;
(B) to the extent practicable, gather information needed from applicants seeking to become a de novo regulated institution from other Federal Government agencies or public sources to minimize information requests of such applicants; and
(C) in consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, review how de novo regulated institutions raise capital while maintaining investor protections, including the impact of--
(i) general capital raising restrictions; and
(ii) capital raising restrictions related to individuals who are not accredited investors.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually for 5 years thereafter, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and publish on a public website of such agency a report that contains--
(A) a description of the actions taken by such agency pursuant to paragraph (1); and
(B) as appropriate, any administrative or legislative recommendations with respect to the purpose described in paragraph (1)(C).
(b) Improving Communication With De Novo Regulated Institutions.--
(1) In general.--Each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall, at the request of an applicant to become a de novo regulated institution, designate an employee of the agency as a caseworker, who may perform such duty in addition to the other duties of the employee.
(2) Caseworker duties.--Each caseworker described in paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) meet with the lead organizers applying to become a de novo regulated institution to provide a tutorial with respect to the application process; and
(B) be the primary point of contact of the respective Federal financial institutions regulatory agency for such organizers during the application process.
(3) New caseworker.--Each agency described in paragraph (1) may designate a new caseworker, as appropriate, to support continuity based on staffing and responsibilities assigned to the current caseworker.
(c) De Novo Mentor-protege Partnerships.--
(1) In general.--At the request of an institution that seeks to become a de novo regulated institution, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide a list to such institution of similar types of institutions that--
(A) were recently approved to become a de novo regulated institution; and
(B) are interested in volunteering to serve as a mentor to provide advice about the de novo application process.
(2) Mentorship information.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall provide public information and directions on how an institution may request a mentor or serve as a mentor as described in paragraph (1).
(d) State and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.--
(1) In general.--Each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall develop a plan to--
(A) regularly consult with State regulators to promote cooperation between State and Federal banking and credit union agencies in the creation of de novo regulated institutions, including responding to any State regulator that requests assistance on how a State-chartered financial institution can request Federal insurance;
(B) regularly consult with stakeholders, including applicants to become de novo regulated institutions and recently approved regulated institutions, to inform any reforms that may support the creation of de novo regulated institutions, including rural institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions; and
(C) provide guidance, training material, and regular workshops to assist any interested parties to understand such agencies' processes.
(2) Submission to congress.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate the respective plan of such agency described in paragraph (1).
(B) Public comment.--With respect to developing the plan described in paragraph (1), each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall--
(i) provide an opportunity for public comments; and
(ii) take such public comments into consideration.
(e) Definitions.--
(1) In general.--In this section:
(A) Federal banking agency.--The term "Federal banking agency" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(B) Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies.--The term "Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies" has the meaning given the term in section 1003 of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3302).
(C) Regulated institution.--The term "regulated institution" means--
(i) with respect to a Federal banking agency, a depository institution (as such term is defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813)) for which the Federal banking agency is the appropriate Federal banking agency (as such term is defined in such section 3); and
(ii) with respect to the National Credit Union Administration, an insured credit union (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)).
(D) State.--The term "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States.
(E) State regulator.--The term "State regulator" means--
(i) with respect to a Federal banking agency, a State banking regulator; and
(ii) with respect to the National Credit Union Administration, the State regulatory agency having jurisdiction over a State credit union (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)).
(2) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this section, the process of applying to become a de novo regulated institution shall include the process of applying for Federal deposit insurance, Federal share insurance, or membership in the Federal Reserve System.
SEC. 908.
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PROMOTING NEW BANK FORMATION.
(a) Pilot Phase-in of Capital Standards.--The Federal banking agencies may issue rules that provide for a 2-year phase-in period for a qualifying community bank or its depository institution holding company to meet any Federal capital requirements that would otherwise be applicable to the qualifying community bank or its depository institution holding company, beginning on--
(1) the date on which the qualifying community bank became an insured depository institution; or
(2) in the case of its depository institution holding company, the date on which the qualifying community bank of the depository institution holding company became an insured depository institution.
(b) Pilot Changes to Business Plans.--
(1) In general.--During the 2-year period beginning on the date on which a qualifying community bank became an insured depository institution, the qualifying community bank or its depository institution holding company may request to deviate from a business plan that has been approved by the appropriate Federal banking agency by submitting a request to such agency pursuant to this section.
(2) Review of changes.--The appropriate Federal banking agency shall, not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the receipt of a request under paragraph (1)--
(A) approve, conditionally approve, or deny such request; and
(B) notify the applicant of such decision and, if the agency denies the request--
(i) provide the applicant with the reason for such denial; and
(ii) suggest changes to the request that, if adopted, would allow the agency to approve such request.
(3) Result of failure to act.--If the appropriate Federal banking agency fails to approve or deny a request within the 90-day period required under paragraph (2), such request shall be deemed to be approved.
(c) Pilot Program Study.--
(1) Study.--The Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, carry out a study on the impact of the pilot program carried out pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section on the formation of de novo insured depository institutions, including such institutions which are rural depository institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions, taking into account safety and soundness, promoting competition, and expanding access to affordable financial products and services to underserved communities.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than December 31, 2031, the Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1).
(d) Study on De Novo Insured Depository Institutions.--
(1) Study.--The Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, carry out a study on--
(A) the principal causes for the low number of de novo insured depository institutions in the 10-year period ending on the date of enactment of this subsection;
(B) ways to promote more de novo insured depository institutions in areas currently underserved by insured depository institutions; and
(C) ways to ensure de novo depository institutions, including institutions which are rural depository institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions, can utilize the Community Bank Leverage Ratio.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1).
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate federal banking agency.--The term "appropriate Federal banking agency" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(2) Depository institution.--The term "depository institution" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(3) Depository institution holding company.--The term "depository institution holding company" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(4) Federal banking agency.--The term "Federal banking agency" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(5) Insured depository institution.--The term "insured depository institution" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(6) Qualifying community bank.--The term "qualifying community bank" means a depository institution that--
(A) including its holding company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates, has total combined assets of less than $10,000,000,000; and
(B) became an insured depository institution between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2028.
SEC. 909. RURAL DEPOSITORIES REVITALIZATION STUDY.
(a) Study.--The Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, carry out a study--
(1) to identify methods to improve the growth, capital adequacy, and profitability of depository institutions in the United States that primarily serve rural areas; and
(2) to identify Federal statutes (other than appropriations Acts) or regulations of the Federal banking agencies that limit--
(A) the methods identified under paragraph (1); or
(B) the establishment of de novo depository institutions in rural areas.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, issue a report to Congress containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection (a).
(c) Study on Rural Credit Unions.--The National Credit Union Administration shall carry out a study--
(1) to identify methods to improve the growth, capital adequacy, and profitability of credit unions in the United States that primarily serve rural areas; and
(2) to identify Federal statutes (other than appropriations Acts) or regulations of the National Credit Union Administration that limit--
(A) the methods identified under paragraph (1); or
(B) the establishment of de novo credit unions in rural areas.
(d) Report on Rural Credit Unions.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Credit Union Administration shall issue a report to Congress containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection (c).
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Depository institution.--The term "depository institution" has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(2) Federal banking agencies.--The term "Federal banking agencies" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(3) Rural.--With respect to an area, the term "rural" has the meaning given that term in section 1026.35(b)(2)(iv)(A) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 1001. HOMES ARE FOR PEOPLE, NOT CORPORATIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Consumer reporting agency.--The term "consumer reporting agency" has the meaning given the term in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
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1681a)).
(2) Excepted purchase.--The term "excepted purchase" means any purchase of a single-family home that is--
(A) newly constructed, renovated, or a rental conversion for sale by a large institutional investor and not as a residence rented pending sale;
(B) pursuant to a build-to-rent program where the large institutional investor purchases, constructs, or constructs and retains a newly constructed single-family homes to be managed as a rental property, whether as part of a community made up exclusively of renter-occupied single-family homes or as part of a community made up of single-family homes that are both owner- and renter-occupied;
(C) pursuant to a renovate-to-rent program that--
(i) substantially rehabilitates single-family homes that do not meet structural or core system elements of local building codes; and
(ii) makes improvements in an aggregate dollar amount of not less than 15 percent of the purchase price of the single-family home;
(D) pursuant to a homeownership program that--
(i) requires rental payments and any other fees that are not greater than those collected by the large institutional investor on other similarly situated single-family homes not covered by the eligible homeownership program;
(ii) is subject to a contract between the large institutional investor and renter that shall be considered a consumer credit transaction secured by a dwelling or real property;
(iii) provides for positive reporting of rental payments to consumer reporting agencies for any renter, who shall be informed of and opts into such reporting; and
(iv) requires contribution of meaningful financial support from the large institutional investor, including price concessions, for the purchase of the single-family home by the renter;
(E) pursuant to a program to boost homeownership that--
(i) provides for positive reporting of rental payments to consumer reporting agencies for any renter, who shall be informed of and opts into such reporting;
(ii) provides for the right of first refusal and a 30-day "first look" period; and
(iii) may entail the meaningful financial support from the large institutional investor, including price concessions, for the purchase of a single-family home by the renter (whether it is the home the renter occupies or another home);
(F) in connection with the satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith and where the large institutional investor has the right to repossess the single-family home under such contract;
(G) undertaken by a mortgage servicer, lender, or other entity that has a legal right to a single-family home, for the purpose of loss mitigation or compliance with servicing or investor obligations, and not as a long-term investment strategy, and is solely as a result of--
(i) a foreclosure;
(ii) a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure;
(iii) enforcement of a mortgage, deed of trust, or other security interest; or
(iv) operation of law following borrower default;
(H) purchased from another large institutional investor that either owned the single-family home on the date of enactment of this Act or purchased the single-family home in compliance with this section;
(I) purchased from an investor not covered under this section, so long as the purchase occurred not more than 2 years after the effective date under subsection (f);
(J) newly constructed, renovated, or a rental conversion that is intended and operated for occupancy as part of a community for households with 1 or more members aged 55 years or older, and satisfies visitability standards established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; or
(K) purchased through a single purchase or combination or series of purchases described in subparagraphs (A) through (J).
(3) Large institutional investor.--
(A) In general.--The term "large institutional investor"--
(i) means an investment fund, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, or other for-profit entity that is a legal entity structured in a manner that is not aforementioned that--
(I) is engaged, in whole or in part, in the business of investing in, owning, renting, managing, or holding single-family homes; and
(II) alone or in concert with 1 or more other entities, beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, directly or indirectly has investment control of not less than 350 single-family homes in the aggregate, not including any single-family home purchased in an excepted purchase made after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(ii) does not include any local, State, Tribal, or Federal government entity or instrumentality thereof.
(B) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this paragraph, an entity has direct or indirect investment control over a single-family home if the entity--
(i) owns, or has primary authority or fiduciary responsibility to make material investment or management decisions relating to, the single-family home;
(ii) is, or directly or indirectly controls, the general partner or managing member of the entity that owns the single-family home;
(iii) is or controls the investment manager, management company, or investment advisor of the entity that owns the single-family home;
(iv) owns or controls more than 25 percent of any class of equity interests of the entity
that owns the single-family home, unless such entity is a passive investor; or
(v) otherwise controls the entity that owns the single-family home.
(4) Purchase.--The term "purchase" includes any purchase, transfer, or other acquisition of a single family home, including through mergers, acquisitions, construction, foreclosures, or bulk purchases, whether or not for cash consideration.
(5) Single-family home.--The term "single-family home"--
(A) means a structure that contains 2 or fewer dwelling units that are each intended for residential occupancy by a single household; and
(B) does not include a manufactured home, as defined in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5402).
(b) Prohibition on Purchases by Large Institutional Investors.--
(1) In general.--No large institutional investor may purchase, or enter into a contract to directly or indirectly purchase, any single-family home.
(2) Exceptions.--The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not apply to--
(A) any excepted purchase; or
(B) any purchase of a single-family home in connection with a restructuring or other reorganization of ownership of single-family homes that were owned or purchased on or before the date of enactment of this Act.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to--
(A) require any large institutional investor to divest or otherwise sell any single-family home purchased before the date of enactment of this Act; or
(B) prevent the filing of a petition, or otherwise affect any bankruptcy proceeding, under title 11, United States Code.
(4) Implementation.--
(A) In general.--In consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, and the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Secretary of the Treasury may issue regulations in accordance with the notice and comment rulemaking procedures under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations to--
(i) minimize market disruptions upon identifying a risk of material negative impact on the housing market, including an impact on the ability of market participants to dispose of single-family homes in an orderly fashion; and
(ii) mitigate, to the extent possible, negative impacts on consumers and communities.
(B) Rule of construction.--For the avoidance of doubt, no regulation issued under subparagraph (A) may amend the definitions of the terms defined under subsection (a), including to--
(i) alter the scope of excepted purchases in a manner that would undermine the goal of expanding the number of single-family homes available to individual households for purchase;
(ii) alter any type of excepted purchase in a manner that would undermine the goal of expanding the number of single-family homes available to individual households for purchase;
(iii) add any category of large institutional investor as an eligible class if not determined by this section; or
(iv) alter the quantitative threshold in the definition of "large institutional investor".
(c) Renter Outreach Resource Established.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this subsection referred to as the "Secretary") shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish a renter outreach resource that consists of a toll-free telephone number and a public website designed to assist renters of residential properties owned by a large institutional investor in--
(A) notifying Federal agencies about disputes relating to the rental of such properties, including disputes about potential violations of Federal law;
(B) sharing information about such disputes with other Federal agencies, including other Federal agencies that manage similar disputes;
(C) monitoring such disputes; and
(D) resolving such disputes, to the extent practicable.
(2) Response to outreach.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish reasonable procedures to--
(i) promptly respond, in writing where appropriate, to a renter who provides information to the Secretary about a dispute using the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1); and
(ii) document such responses.
(B) Contents.--Responses provided under subparagraph (A) shall include, where appropriate, information about--
(i) steps that have been taken by the Secretary or another Federal agency in response to the information about the dispute provided by the renter, including determining the appropriate large institutional investor involved as described in paragraph (3);
(ii) any responses received by the Secretary or another Federal agency from the large institutional investor related to such dispute; and
(iii) any outcome of the dispute, to the extent practicable.
(3) Investigation of potential violations of federal law.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall promptly process and investigate any information relating to a dispute received through the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1) about a potential violation of Federal law that is received from a renter of a residential property owned by a large institutional investor through the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1), including--
(i) requesting information from a large institutional investor;
(ii) determining the appropriate large institutional investor involved in the dispute; and
(iii) sharing information about such potential violation of Federal law with any relevant Federal agencies, as the Secretary may determine appropriate.
(B) Responses to requests for information.--Upon request for information made pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide a large institutional investor the opportunity to respond, including regarding whether such large institutional investor currently owns the property described in such request for information.
(4) Information for appropriate state authority.--When the Secretary receives information about a potential violation of State law or about a dispute received through the renter outreach resource, from a renter of a residential property owned by a large institutional investor through the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, at a minimum, provide the renter with contact information for the appropriate, State-specific, State authority authorized to process and investigate such information.
(5) Notice about renter outreach resource.--Each large institutional investor shall--
(A) provide to each renter of a residential property owned by such investor at the time such renter first occupies such home and annually thereafter--
(i) written notice about the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1); and
(ii) the name, phone number, and email address of the person or entity responsible for receiving and addressing renter disputes for the large institutional investor, and update the name, phone number, and email address within 30 days if such information changes prior to the subsequent time at which such notice is required to be provided; and
(B) prominently feature information about the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1) on a public website of such investor that is accessible by such renter.
(6) Annual report to the congress.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, not later than March 31 of each year, submit to the Congress a public report which analyzes and aggregates the information received or obtained pursuant to this subsection during the prior year that includes--
(i) information about the types and the number of disputes received about potential violations of Federal law;
(ii) information about the types and the number of disputes received about potential violations of State law;
(iii) where practicable, information about the resolution of such disputes; and
(iv) information provided to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under paragraph (8).
(B) Anonymization of data.--Any data included in a report that is submitted under this paragraph shall be aggregated or anonymized so as to protect any individual dispute or personally identifiable information received through the renter outreach resource.
(7) Protection of personal information.--In complying with the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall take such measures as the Secretary determines are necessary to provide for the protection of personally identifiable information received through the renter outreach resource in a manner that conforms with existing standards for protection of the confidentiality of personally identifiable information.
(8) Annual notification.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than December 31st of each year thereafter, each person or entity that satisfies the definition of a large institutional investor, as such term is defined in subsection (a), shall--
(A) notify the Secretary each year whether such owner is a large institutional investor as defined in subsection (a); and
(B) in such notification, identify how many single-family homes such large institutional investor has direct or indirect investment control of as of the date of the submission of such notice, and the city and State where each such single-family home is located, unless such large institutional investor owns 10 or fewer single-family homes in such city.
(d) Enforcement.--
(1) Civil penalties.--The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Attorney General at the request of the Secretary of the Treasury, may bring an action against a large institutional investor that violates subsection (b) for a civil penalty in an amount that is not more than $1,000,000 per violation, or 3 times the purchase price of the property involved, whichever is greater.
(2) Transfer to hud for homeownership expansion activities.--For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, civil penalties assessed under this section shall be transferred to and available to the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development to provide additional funding for the HOME Investment Partnerships program under subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
Text printed in the Record (5,008 characters)
12741 et seq.), to be allocated in accordance with the formula under that program, for new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of single-family homes and to provide assistance grants to first-time homebuyers, which may be for downpayments, closing costs, and interest rate buydowns.
(e) Studies on Large Institutional Investors.--
(1) Gao report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the prohibition under subsection (b)(1) takes effect, and again not later than 10 years after that date, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on--
(A) the impact of the ownership by large institutional investors of single-family homes on housing availability and affordability for renters and homebuyers; and
(B) the effectiveness of this section in reducing demand by large institutional investors for single-family homes and expanding homeownership for renters and homebuyers.
(2) Hud report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the prohibition under subsection (b)(1) takes effect, and again not later than 10 years after that date, the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator of the Rural Housing Service, the Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Chair of Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on--
(A) whether there should be adjustments to the definition of the term "large institutional investor";
(B) the financial impact of this section on large institutional investors, renters, and homebuyers; and
(C) any legislative recommendations regarding ways to improve the authorities provided under this section to increase the supply and affordability of single-family homes for purchase by individual homebuyers.
(3) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(A) this section is intended to expand the number of single-family homes available to individuals for purchase and is aimed at preserving and expanding the supply of single-family homes available to individuals; and
(B) any further study on the effectiveness of this section and any legislative recommendations therefrom should consider this sense of Congress.
(f) Effective Date.--The requirements and prohibitions under subsections (b) and (d) of this section--
(1) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) are repealed on the date that is 15 years after the effective date under paragraph (1).
SEC. 1101. CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY.
The Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 221 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 16 (12 U.S.C. 411 et seq.) the following:
"SEC. 16A. CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Central bank digital currency.--The term `central bank digital currency' means a digital asset that--
"(A) is denominated in United States dollars;
"(B) is a United States currency;
"(C) is a direct liability of the Federal Reserve System; and
"(D) is widely available to the general public.
"(2) Digital asset.--The term `digital asset' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the GENIUS Act (12 U.S.C. 5901).
"(b) Prohibition.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or a Federal reserve bank may not issue or create a central bank digital currency or any digital asset that is substantially similar to a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly through a financial institution or other intermediary.
"(c) Exception.--Subsection (b) shall not prohibit any dollar-denominated currency that is open, permissionless, and private, and fully preserves the privacy protections of United States coins and physical currency.
"(d) Sunset.--This provisions of this section shall cease to be effective on December 31, 2030.
"(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to issue a central bank digital currency or any digital asset that is substantially similar to a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly absent authorization by an Act of Congress.".
SEC. 1201. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 1202. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act or any amendment made by this Act.
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SA 5824. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to amendment SA 5823 proposed by Mr. Thune to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (102 characters)
At the end add the following:
"This Act shall take effect 1 day after the date of enactment."
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SA 5825. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (102 characters)
At the end add the following:
"This Act shall take effect 4 days after the date of enactment"
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SA 5826. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to amendment SA 5825 proposed by Mr. Thune to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (43 characters)
Strike "4 days" and insert "3 days"
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SA 5827. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to amendment SA 5826 proposed by Mr. Thune to the amendment SA 5825 proposed by Mr. Thune to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (43 characters)
Strike "3 days" and insert "2 days"
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SA 5828. Mr. KING submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (11,106 characters)
At the appropriate place in title VII, insert the following:
SEC. 7__. PRE-TRANSITION HEALTH CARE REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES TO STREAMLINE RECEIPT OF
HEALTH CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Health Care Pre-Registration.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1705A the following new section:
"Sec. 1705B. Management of health care: registration in pre-
transition system and facilitation of enrollment
"(a) Pre-Transition System.--
"(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days before the anticipated separation from the Armed Forces of a member of the Armed Forces, the Secretary shall automatically register such member in the pre-transition health care registration system.
"(2) Registration.--Registration of a member of the Armed Forces in the pre-transition health care registration system under paragraph (1) shall consist of the entry of relevant information of such member into such system so as to facilitate and permit, at a future date, a final determination with respect to the enrollment of such member in the patient enrollment system if such member elects to enroll in the patient enrollment system and is eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system.
"(b) Facilitation of Enrollment in Patient Enrollment System.--
"(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after separation of a covered individual from the Armed Forces, or as soon as feasibly possible following such separation, the Secretary shall engage with such individual--
"(A) to assist and facilitate the completion of the process for enrollment of such individual in the patient enrollment system, to include the appropriate electronic or paper forms; and
"(B) to schedule an initial primary care or other health appointment for such individual under the laws administered by the Secretary if the individual is interested in such an appointment.
"(2) Communication efforts.--Communication to a covered individual under paragraph (1) shall be conducted through a combination of effective mechanisms to include by electronic means through email and text message, paper mail, and by phone.
"(3) Covered individual defined.--In this subsection, the term `covered individual' means an individual who--
"(A) is eligible for or expected to be eligible for enrollment in the patient enrollment system; and
"(B) is not yet enrolled in such system.
"(c) Outreach.--
"(1) Pre-transition.--
"(A) In general.--To the greatest extent feasible, the Secretary shall conduct timely outreach to members of the Armed Forces registered in the pre-transition health care registration system, in advance of their separation from the Armed Forces, to explain--
"(i) what such registration means in practical terms;
"(ii) what steps each such member will need to take after separation from the Armed Forces to fully enroll, if eligible, in the patient enrollment system;
"(iii) health care services that may be available to such member upon enrollment in such system, including the general rules of eligibility for such services;
"(iv) health care services that may be available to such member regardless of enrollment in such system, including counseling for military sexual trauma and services from Vet Centers (as defined in section 1712A of this title), including the general rules of eligibility for such services; and
"(v) the steps required to access services described in clauses (iii) and (iv).
"(B) Outreach efforts.--Outreach to a member of the Armed Forces required under subparagraph (A) shall be conducted through a combination of effective mechanisms, including by electronic means through email and text message, paper mail, and by phone.
"(2) After enrollment.--
"(A) In general.--Not less frequently than once during the 180-day period following the enrollment of an individual in the patient enrollment system, the Secretary shall contact any such individual who has not scheduled a primary care appointment or other health appointment under the laws administered by the Secretary and offer to schedule such appointment should such individual be interested in doing so.
"(B) Conduct of outreach.--The Secretary may conduct outreach under subparagraph (A) as part of the Solid Start program under section 6320 of this title, other existing processes of the Department, or any new process as the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(d) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Patient enrollment system.--The term `patient enrollment system' means the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of this title.
"(2) Pre-transition health care registration system.--The term `pre-transition health care registration system' means an information technology or other system or systems of the Department in which the Department enters or stores the relevant information of a transitioning member of the Armed Forces so as to facilitate and permit, at a future date, a final enrollment determination with respect to the enrollment of such member in the patient enrollment system.".
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1705A the following new item:
"1705B. Management of health care: registration in pre-transition system and facilitation of enrollment.". (3) Effective date.--This subsection and the amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply to any member of the Armed Forces who is anticipated to separate from the Armed Forces on and after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Establishment of System.--(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish and implement an automated process to implement the pre-transition health care registration system required under section 1705B(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1). (2) Briefings on initial implementation.--Not later than each of 180 days, one year, and two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee established under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the implementation of the process required under paragraph (1). (c) Coordination With Department of Defense.--(1) In general.--In implementing the requirements of this section and the amendments made by this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may integrate and coordinate such implementation with the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 6320 of title 38, United States Code, other existing processes of the Department, or any new process as the Secretary determines appropriate to ensure collaboration and coordination with relevant programs of the Department of Defense. (2) Inclusion in transition assistance program.--On and after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall include an explanation of the pre-transition health care registration system required under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), as part of the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense. (d) Requirement to Create and Maintain Simple and Streamlined Process for Pre-Registration and Enrollment.--(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make enrollment in the patient enrollment system, including pre-transition health care registration under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), a simple and streamlined process for all transitioning members of the Armed Forces and veterans--(A) to facilitate access to and utilization of services from the Department of Veterans Affairs to which such individuals are entitled; (B) to ensure such individuals have a healthy and smooth transition out of the Armed Forces into civilian life as veterans; (C) to support the mental and physical health of such individuals; and (D) to reduce, to the greatest extent possible, veteran suicide. (2) Improvement of process.--The Secretary shall continuously monitor, improve, and modernize the process described in paragraph (1). (e) Outreach and Engagement.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--(1) proactively conduct outreach to transitioning and recently transitioned members of the Armed Forces to assist such members in enrolling in the patient enrollment system; (2) proactively and regularly engage with veterans already enrolled in the patient enrollment system to offer assistance in accessing health care services under such system; (3) proactively and regularly engage with veterans who may not be eligible for enrollment in the patient enrollment system but may be eligible to access certain specific health services of the Department; (4) proactively engage with veterans from traditionally under-represented groups, to include women veterans, minority veterans, Native American veterans, Native Hawaiian veterans, Alaska Native veterans, and LGBTQIA+ veterans; and (5) engage with veterans who are eligible but not enrolled in the patient enrollment system and offer information and assistance regarding the steps to facilitate enrollment in such system. (f) Annual Report on Pre-Transition Registration.--Section 8111(f)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph (E): "(E) With respect to the registration of members of the Armed Forces in the pre-transition health care registration system under section 1705B of this title during the preceding fiscal year, the following: "(i) The number of members of the Armed Forces who were registered in such system. "(ii) The number of such members who subsequently applied for enrollment in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of this title. "(iii) The aggregated disposition of each such application for enrollment, whether denied or approved, and a reason for any denial, if available. "(iv) Aggregated demographic information for members of the Armed Forces described in clauses (i) and (ii), including age, gender, ethnicity, length of service, military rank, and branch of service. "(v) Any information on health care utilization rates based on registration in the pre-transition health care registration system under section 1705B of this title that the Secretary considers relevant. "(vi) Any additional observations or information the Secretary considers relevant regarding the impact of pre-transition health care registration on streamlining and improving the transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life.".
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(g) Reports.--(1) Report on feasibility and advisability of permitting members of the armed forces to receive pre-separation health appointment with department of veterans affairs.--(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of permitting transitioning members of the Armed Forces, including those on separation leave, while still on active duty, to receive at least one no-cost health care appointment at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs--(i) to familiarize the member with the health services of the Department prior to the member leaving the Armed Forces; and (ii) to improve the transition process and health and wellness of the member once they have transitioned to civilian life. (B) Elements.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) A description of the reasons the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined the policy described in such subparagraph is feasible and advisable or not. (ii) An identification of changes to law that would be required or recommended to make such policy feasible and advisable. (iii) If the Secretary determines such policy is feasible and advisable, a proposed schedule and timeline to implement such policy and an estimate of costs to implement and sustain such policy. (iv) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Report on efforts to improve enrollment.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the following:
(A) An assessment of the efforts of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as follows:
(i) To develop and implement a system or systems, and processes to implement such a system or systems, to notify veterans who receive a positive adjudication for a service-connected disability and are not already enrolled in the patient enrollment system regarding how to enroll in the patient enrollment system, should they be inclined to enroll.
(ii) To pre-populate information in the pre-transition health care registration system required under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), using data available within the Department of Veterans Affairs, other Federal agencies, or State agencies or other appropriate commercial or publicly available information so as to assist transitioning members of the Armed Forces with completing the process of enrollment in the patient enrollment system, and to simplify and streamline enrollment in such system, including--
(I) a description of any roadblocks to pre-populating such information;
(II) a description of any challenges in receiving relevant information from any Federal agency or State agency; and
(III) an identification of any legislative action that may be required to improve the collection of data necessary to carry out this clause.
(B) An assessment of any challenges experienced by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in receiving timely and reliable electronic information, data feeds, and notifications from the Department of Defense, other Federal agencies, or non-Federal entities regarding the separation from the Armed Forces of members of the Armed Forces, including--
(i) specific requests for legislative action to improve data transmission from the Department of Defense or other Federal agencies to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(ii) a description of policy reforms to require the military departments to report to the Secretary of Defense known or anticipated separations in a more timely manner.
(C) The identification of an individual in a Senior Executive Service position (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code), or equivalent, and office within the Department of Veterans Affairs that is coordinating or will coordinate all programs of the Department relating to improving the registration and enrollment of transitioning or transitioned members of the Armed Forces in health care services of the Department (including pursuant to this section and the amendments made by this section) and the usage by such members of those services, to include the following programs and offices:
(i) The Solid Start program of the Department under section 6320 of title 38, United States Code.
(ii) The Federal Recovery Consultant Office of the Department.
(iii) The Post-9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program of the Department.
(iv) The Liaison Program of the Department.
(v) The Concierge for Care Program of the Department.
(vi) The office of the Department responsible for carrying out the pre-transition health care registration system under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).
(vii) Other similar or successor programs or offices of the Department.
(D) A description of how the individual and office identified under subparagraph (C) manages or will manage various programs across the Department, to include--
(i) programs under the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and other entities of the Department that have different reporting chains;
(ii) an identification of metrics that are used or will be used to monitor program goals;
(iii) an identification of steps that can be taken to improve management and outcomes of such programs, to include collaboration and coordination with relevant programs of the Department of Defense; and
(iv) an organizational chart to show how efforts described under this subparagraph are managed across the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to require any member of the Armed Forces, former member of the Armed Forces, or veteran to use any service of the Department of Veterans Affairs or to enroll in the patient enrollment system.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term "appropriate committees of Congress" means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans Affairs' of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans Affairs' of the House of Representatives.
(2) Patient enrollment system.--The term "patient enrollment system" means the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.
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SA 5829. Mr. KING (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (2,310 characters)
At the appropriate place in subtitle E of title V, insert the following:
SEC. __. PRESENTATION TO PROMOTE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO
VETERANS IN PRESEPARATION COUNSELING UNDER THE
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
"(20) A presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such presentation--
"(A) shall be standardized;
"(B) shall, before implementation, be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with veterans service organizations that provide claims assistance under the benefits delivery at discharge program of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
"(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives for review at least 90 days before implementation;
"(D) where available, shall be presented with the participation of--
"(i) a representative of a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38; or
"(ii) an individual--
"(I) recognized under section 5903 of such title; and
"(II) authorized by the Secretary concerned to so participate;
"(E) shall include information on how a veterans service organization may assist the member in filing a claim described in paragraph (19);
"(F) may not encourage the member to join a particular veterans service organization; and
"(G) may not exceed one hour in duration.".
(b) Annual Report.--Not less than frequently than once each year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that--
(1) identifies each veterans service organization that participated in a presentation under paragraph (20) of section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a);
(2) contains the number of members of the Armed Forces who attended such presentations; and
(3) includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding changes to such presentation or to such paragraph.
Text of Senate Amendment 5822
Page S2821 · Official textSA 5822. Mr. FETTERMAN (for himself and Mr. McCormick) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (704 characters)
At the appropriate place in title XXVIII, insert the following:
SEC. 28__. ARMY RESERVE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, FORT
INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) Authorization.--The Secretary of the Army may carry out a military construction project for the Army Reserve at a cost not to exceed $76,000,000, consisting of the construction of Equipment Concentration Site 24 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, to restore full maintenance and storage capacity for 130 Army Reserve units across the region.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated $76,000,000, to remain available until expended, to carry out the military construction project authorized under subsection (a).
Text of Senate Amendment 5823
Pages S2821–S2859 · Official textSA 5823. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (11,862 characters)
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act".
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 101. Reforms to housing counseling and financial literacy programs. Sec. 102. Federal guidelines for point-access block buildings. Sec. 103. Exemption on construction or modification of residential housing located on an infill site. Sec. 104. Database of publicly owned land. Sec. 105. FHA Small-Dollar Mortgages. Sec. 106. Temperature Sensor Pilot Program. Sec. 107. Housing supply frameworks.
Sec. 201. Increasing housing in opportunity zones. Sec. 202. Whole-Home Repairs Act. Sec. 203. Community Investment and Prosperity Act. Sec. 204. Addition of affordable housing construction as an eligible activity. Sec. 205. Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development (BUILD) Housing Act. Sec. 206. Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act. Sec. 207. Grants for planning and implementation associated with affordable housing. Sec. 208. Innovation Fund. Sec. 209. Accelerating Home Building Act. Sec. 210. Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act. Sec. 211. Housing Affordability Act. Sec. 212. Rental Assistance Demonstration Program. Sec. 213. Build Now Act.
Sec. 301. Housing Supply Expansion Act. Sec. 302. Modular Housing Production Act. Sec. 303. Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act. Sec. 304. PRICE Act.
Sec. 401. Creating incentives for small-dollar loan originators. Sec. 402. Small-dollar mortgage points and fees. Sec. 403. Appraisal Industry Improvement Act. Sec. 404. Helping More Families Save Act. Sec. 405. Choice in Affordable Housing Act.
Sec. 501. HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Reform Act. Sec. 502. Rural Housing Service Reform Act. Sec. 503. Incentivizing local solutions to homelessness.
Sec. 504. Reforming Disaster Recovery Act. Sec. 505. New Moving to Work cohort.
Sec. 601. Military Service Question. Sec. 602. Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act. Sec. 603. Veterans Affairs Loan Informed Disclosure (VALID) Act.
Sec. 701. Requiring annual testimony and oversight from housing regulators. Sec. 702. FHA reporting requirements on safety and soundness. Sec. 703. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness oversight. Sec. 704. Appraisal Modernization Act.
TITLE VIII--ACCOUNTABILITY, COORDINATION, STUDIES, AND REPORTING
Sec. 801. HUD-USDA-VA Interagency Coordination Act. Sec. 802. Streamlining Rural Housing Act. Sec. 803. Improving self-sufficiency of families in HUD-subsidized housing. Sec. 804. GAO studies. Sec. 805. Improving public housing agency accountability.
TITLE IX--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BANKS' ROLE IN HOUSING
Sec. 901. Community bank deposit access. Sec. 902. Keeping deposits local. Sec. 903. Tailored regulatory updates for supervisory testing. Sec. 904. Credit union board modernization. Sec. 905. Systemic risk authority transparency. Sec. 906. Advancing the mentor-protege program for small financial institutions. Sec. 907. American access to banking. Sec. 908. Promoting new bank formation. Sec. 909. Rural depositories revitalization study.
Sec. 1001. Homes are for people, not corporations.
Sec. 1101. Central bank digital currency.
Sec. 1201. Severability. Sec. 1202. No additional funds authorized.
SEC. 101. REFORMS TO HOUSING COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL
LITERACY PROGRAMS.
Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(4)(C), by striking "adequate distribution" and all that follows through "foreclosure rates" and inserting "that the recipients are geographically diverse and include organizations that serve urban or rural areas";
(2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
"(6) Reviews.--The Secretary--
"(A) may conduct periodic reviews; and
"(B) shall conduct performance reviews of all organizations receiving assistance under this section that--
"(i) consist of a review of the organization's compliance with all program requirements; and
"(ii) may take into account the organization's aggregate counselor performance under paragraph (7)(B).
"(7) Considerations.--
"(A) Covered mortgage loan defined.--In this paragraph, the term `covered mortgage loan' means any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and housing cooperatives) designed principally for the occupancy of between 1 and 4 families that is--
"(i) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.); or
"(ii) guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-13a, 1715z-13b).
"(B) Comparison.--For each counselor employed by an organization receiving assistance under this section for prepurchase housing counseling, the Secretary may consider the performance of the counselor compared to the default rate of all counseled borrowers of a covered mortgage loan in comparable markets and such other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate to further the purposes of this section.
"(8) Certification.--If, based on the comparison required under paragraph (7)(B), the Secretary determines that a counselor lacks competence to provide counseling in the areas described in subsection (e)(2) and such action will not create a significant loss of capacity for housing counseling services in the service area, the Secretary may--
"(A) require continued education coupled with successful completion of a probationary period;
"(B) require retesting if the counselor continues to demonstrate a lack of competence under paragraph (7)(B); and
"(C) suspend an individual certification if a counselor fails to demonstrate competence after not fewer than 2 retesting opportunities under subparagraph (B).";
(3) in subsection (i)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
"(3) Termination of assistance.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary may deny renewal of covered assistance to an organization or entity receiving covered assistance if the Secretary determines that the organization or entity, or the individual through which the organization or entity provides counseling, is not in compliance with program requirements--
"(i) based on the performance review described in subsection (e)(6); and
"(ii) in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary.
"(B) Notice.--The Secretary shall give an organization or entity receiving covered assistance not less than 60 days prior written notice of any denial of renewal under this paragraph, and the determination of renewal shall not be finalized until the end of that notice period.
"(C) Informal conference.--If requested in writing by the organization or entity within the notice period described in subparagraph (B), the organization or entity shall be entitled to an informal conference with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Housing Counseling on behalf of the Secretary at which the organization or entity may present for consideration specific factors that the organization or entity believes were beyond the control of the organization or entity and that caused the failure to comply with program requirements, such as a lack of lender or servicer coordination or communication with housing counseling agencies and individual counselors."; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
"(j) Offering Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling.--
"(1) Covered mortgage loan defined.--In this subsection, the term `covered mortgage loan' means any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and housing cooperatives) or stock or membership in a cooperative ownership housing corporation designed principally for the occupancy of between 1 and 4 families that is--
"(A) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);
"(B) guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-13a, 1715z-13b);
"(C) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
"(D) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Agriculture.
"(2) Opportunity for borrowers.--A borrower with respect to a covered mortgage loan who is 30 days or more delinquent on payments for the covered mortgage loan shall be given an opportunity to participate in available housing counseling.
"(3) Cost.--If the requirements of sections 202(a)(3) and 205(f) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a)(3), 1711(f)) are met, the fair market rate cost of counseling for delinquent borrowers described in paragraph (2) with respect to a covered mortgage loan described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be paid for by the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, as authorized under section 203(r)(4) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(r)(4)).".
SEC. 102. FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR POINT-ACCESS BLOCK
BUILDINGS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue guidelines to provide States, territories, Tribes, and localities with model code language, best practices, and technical guidance that could be used to facilitate the permitting of point-access block residential buildings.
(b) Contents.--When developing the guidelines under subsection (a), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall consider--
(1) fire safety considerations, including sprinkler coverage, smoke detection, ventilation, and building egress performance;
(2) construction costs and potential impacts on housing affordability, including the potential for increasing housing supply in high-cost jurisdictions;
(3) flexibility for diverse consumer needs, including family sizes, unit configurations, and accessibility;
(4) examples of single-stair codes adopted or considered by States and cities in the United States;
(5) examples of single-stair codes used in relevant international standards;
(6) research and model language relating to single-stair codes produced by organizations that focus on point-access block building design and building-code reform;
(7) consulting with experts, including developers, architects, fire marshals, researchers, economists, housing authorities, and officials in States that have enacted or piloted single-stair codes; and
(8) alternative methods of safety compliance, including options that utilize additional passive or active safety features.
(c) Coordination With the International Code Council.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall coordinate with the International Code Council to encourage the International Code Council to incorporate provisions about point-access block buildings into the International Building Code.
(d) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may establish a program to award competitive grants to eligible entities to implement pilot projects that
evaluate, demonstrate, or validate the safety, feasibility, or cost-effectiveness of point-access block residential buildings.
(2) Sunset.--The program established under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this subsection.
(e) Treatment of Projects.--Projects assisted under this section shall be treated as projects assisted under the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5301 et seq.).
(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to preempt a State or local building code.
(g) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means a State, unit of local government, Tribal Government, public housing agency, nonprofit housing organization, community development organization, private developer, construction firm, qualified design firm, engineering firm, academic institution, research institution, or any partnership or consortium comprised of 2 or more such types of entities.
(2) Point-access block building.--The term "point-access block building" means a Group R-2 occupancy residential structure, as such term is defined by the International Building Code, in which a single internal stairway provides access and egress for all dwelling units in a building that is not greater than 6 stories in height.
SEC. 103. EXEMPTION ON CONSTRUCTION OR MODIFICATION OF
RESIDENTIAL HOUSING LOCATED ON AN INFILL SITE.
(a) Exemption.--In providing assistance under section 501, 502, 504, 515, 533, or 538 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471, 1472, 1474, 1485, 1490m, or 1490p-2) for the construction or modification of residential housing located on an infill site, the Secretary of Agriculture shall not be required to carry out any study or report on the environmental effects of such assistance.
(b) Report.--Not later than the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, a report that--
(1) determines whether the implementation of this section--
(A) reduced the amount of time it takes to review an application for assistance under the sections of the Housing Act of 1949 identified in subsection (a); and
(B) reduced the administrative cost of providing such assistance;
(2) describes how the implementation of this section affects the affordable housing sector in rural America; and
(3) includes any legislative recommendations from the Secretary of Agriculture.
(c) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Greenfield.--The term "greenfield" means a site that has not been developed, including a woodland, farmland, and an open field.
(2) Infill site.--The term "infill site"--
(A) means a site that is served by existing infrastructure, including water lines, sewer lines, and roads; and
(B) does not include--
(i) a site that is served by existing infrastructure that only consists of a road;
(ii) a site within a census tract designated as very high or relatively high risk for wildfire, coastal flooding, and riverine flooding under the National Risk Index of the Federal Emergency Management Agency pursuant to section 206 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5136); and
(iii) a greenfield.
SEC. 104. DATABASE OF PUBLICLY OWNED LAND.
(a) In General.--Section 104(b) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(7) the grantee maintains, on a publicly accessible website, a searchable database that identifies all parcels of undeveloped land owned by the grantee.".
(b) Eligible Activity.--Section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (25), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (26), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(27) the creation and maintenance of a database of land as required under section 104(b)(7).".
(c) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect on October 1, 2026.
SEC. 105. FHA SMALL-DOLLAR MORTGAGES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, acting through the Federal Housing Commissioner, may establish a pilot program to increase access to small-dollar mortgages for mortgagors, which may include--
(1) authorizing direct payments to mortgagees to incentivize the origination of small-dollar mortgages;
(2) adjusting terms and costs imposed by the Federal Housing Administration with respect to small-dollar mortgages;
(3) providing direct grants for mortgagors who obtain small-dollar mortgages to cover costs associated with--
(A) down payments;
(B) closing costs;
(C) appraisals; and
(D) title insurance;
(4) conducting outreach to potential mortgagors about the availability of small-dollar mortgages; and
(5) providing technical assistance for mortgagees that originate small-dollar mortgages.
(b) Report.--Beginning not later than 1 year after the establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a) and ending 1 year after the sunset of the pilot program, the Federal Housing Commissioner shall submit to Congress an annual report that--
(1) tracks and evaluates the outcomes of small-dollar mortgages originated by mortgagees as a result of support provided under subsection (a);
(2) analyzes risks of the pilot program to the solvency of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund;
(3) includes data with respect to--
(A) the number of small-dollar mortgages originated in the 10-year period preceding the date of enactment of this section, including small-dollar mortgages insured or guaranteed by the Federal Government and small-dollar mortgages not insured by the Federal Government;
(B) the original principal balance of each small-dollar mortgage identified under subparagraph (A);
(C) demographic information about the mortgagors associated with each such small-dollar mortgages; and
(D) the number and type of mortgagees that offer small-dollar mortgages;
(4) provides a description of the fixed costs that are associated with mortgages and the impact of such costs on the ability of lenders to earn a market rate return on small-dollar mortgages; and
(5) includes analysis, by regions of the United States, including rural regions, that identifies regions with the greatest need for, and the highest likelihood of, the origination of small-dollar mortgages and regions that could benefit the most from increased availability of small-dollar mortgages.
(c) Sunset.--The pilot program established under subsection (a) shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the date on which the pilot program is established under subsection (a).
(d) Expiration of Authority.--After the expiration of the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this section, neither the Federal Housing Commissioner nor the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may newly establish a pilot program to increase access to small-dollar mortgages for mortgagors.
(e) Small-dollar Mortgage Defined.--The term "small-dollar mortgage" means a mortgage that--
(1) has an original principal balance of $100,000 or less; and
(2) is secured by a 1- to 4-unit property that is the principal residence of the mortgagor.
SEC. 106.
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TEMPERATURE SENSOR PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish a temperature sensor pilot program to provide grants to public housing agencies and owners of covered federally assisted rental dwelling units to acquire, install, and test the efficacy of approved temperature sensors in residential dwelling units to ensure such units remain in compliance with temperature requirements.
(b) Eligibility.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish eligibility criteria for public housing agencies and owners of covered federally assisted rental dwelling units to participate in the pilot program established pursuant to subsection (a).
(2) Criteria.--In establishing the eligibility criteria described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure--
(A) the pilot program includes a diverse range of participants that represent different geographic regions, climate regions, unit sizes, and types of housing; and
(B) that the functionality of an approved temperature sensor will be installed and tested using amounts awarded under this section, including internet connectivity requirements.
(c) Installation.--Each public housing agency or owner of a covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit that acquires 1 or more approved temperature sensors under this section shall, after receiving written permission from the resident of a dwelling unit, install such temperature sensor and monitor the data from such temperature sensor.
(d) Collection of Complaint Records.--
(1) In general.--Each public housing agency or owner of a covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit that installs 1 or more approved temperature sensors under this section shall collect and retain information about temperature-related complaints and temperature-related violations.
(2) Definitions.--The Secretary shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, define the terms "temperature-related complaints" and "temperature-related violations" for the purposes of this subsection.
(e) Data Collection.--
(1) In general.--Data collected from temperature sensors acquired and installed by
public housing agencies and owners of covered federally assisted rental dwelling units under this section shall be retained until the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development notifies the public housing agency or owner that the pilot program and the evaluation of the pilot program are complete.
(2) Personally identifiable information.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish standards for the protection of personally identifiably information collected during the pilot program by public housing agencies, owners of federally assisted rental dwelling units, and the Secretary.
(f) Pilot Program Evaluation.--
(1) Interim evaluation.--Not later than 12 months after the establishment of the pilot program under this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall publicly publish and submit to Congress a report that--
(A) examines the number of temperature-related complaints and temperature-related violations in federally assisted rental dwelling units with temperature sensors, disaggregated by temperature sensor technology and climate region--
(i) that occurred before the installation of such sensor, if known; and
(ii) that occurred after the installation of such sensor; and
(B) identifies any barriers to full utility of temperature sensor capabilities, including broadband internet access and tenant participation.
(2) Final evaluation.--Not later than 36 months after the conclusion of the pilot program established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under this section, the Secretary shall publicly publish and submit to Congress a report that--
(A) examines the number of temperature-related complaints and temperature-related violations in federally assisted rental dwelling units with temperature sensors, disaggregated by temperature sensor technology and climate region--
(i) that occurred before the installation of such sensor; and
(ii) that occurred after the installation of such sensor;
(B) identifies any barriers to full utility of temperature sensor capabilities, including broadband internet access and tenant participation; and
(C) compares the utility of various temperature sensor technologies based on--
(i) climate zones;
(ii) cost;
(iii) features; and
(iv) any other factors identified by the Secretary.
(g) Treatment of Projects.--Projects assisted under this section shall be treated as projects assisted under the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(h) Sunset.--The pilot program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this section.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Approved temperature sensor.--The term "approved temperature sensor" means an internet capable temperature reporting device able to measure ambient air temperature to the tenth degree Fahrenheit and Celsius selected from a list of such devices approved in advance by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(2) Assistance.--The term "assistance"--
(A) means any grant, loan, subsidy, contract, cooperative agreement, or other form of financial assistance; and
(B) does not include the insurance or guarantee of a loan, mortgage, or pool of loans or mortgages.
(3) Covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit.--The term "covered federally assisted rental dwelling unit" means a residential dwelling unit that is made available for rental and for which assistance is provided, or that is part of a housing project for which assistance is provided, under--
(A) the program for project-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);
(B) the public housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.);
(C) the program for supportive housing for the elderly under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q); or
(D) the program for supportive housing for persons with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013).
(4) Owner.--The term "owner" means--
(A) with respect to the program for project-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), any private person or entity, including a cooperative, an agency of the Federal Government, or a public housing agency, having the legal right to lease or sublease dwelling units;
(B) with respect to the public housing program under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. et seq.), a public housing agency or an owner entity, as those terms are defined in section 905.108 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, of public housing units;
(C) with respect to the program for supportive housing for the elderly under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q), a private nonprofit organization, as defined under subsection (k)(4) of that section; and
(D) with respect to the program for supportive housing for persons with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013), a private nonprofit organization, as defined under subsection (k)(6) of that section.
SEC. 107.
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HOUSING SUPPLY FRAMEWORKS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable housing.--The term "affordable housing" means housing for which the monthly payment is not more than 30 percent of the monthly income of the household.
(2) Assistant secretary.--The term "Assistant Secretary" means the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Local zoning framework.--The term "local zoning framework" means the local zoning codes and other ordinances, procedures, and policies governing zoning and land-use at the local level.
(4) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(5) State zoning framework.--The term "State zoning framework" means the State legislation or State agency and department procedures, or such legislation or procedures in an insular area of the United States, enabling local planning and zoning authorities and establishing and guiding related policies and programs.
(b) Guidelines on State and Local Zoning Frameworks.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary shall publish documents outlining guidelines and best practices to support production of adequate housing to meet the needs of communities and provide housing opportunities for individuals at every income level across communities with respect to--
(A) State zoning frameworks; and
(B) local zoning frameworks.
(2) Consultation; public comment.--During the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, in developing the guidelines and best practices required under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary shall--
(A) publish draft guidelines and best practices in the Federal Register for public comment; and
(B) establish a task force for the purpose of providing consultation to draft the guidelines and best practices published under subparagraph (A), the members of which shall include--
(i) urban planners and architects;
(ii) housing developers, including affordable and market-rate housing developers, manufactured housing developers, cooperative housing developers, and other business interests;
(iii) community engagement experts and community members impacted by zoning decisions;
(iv) public housing agencies and transit authorities;
(v) members of local zoning and planning boards and local and regional transportation planning organizations;
(vi) State officials responsible for housing or land use, including members of State zoning boards of appeals;
(vii) academic researchers; and
(viii) home builders.
(3) Contents.--The guidelines and best practices required under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) with respect to State zoning frameworks, outline potential models for updated State enabling legislation or State agency and department procedures;
(B) include recommendations regarding--
(i) the reduction or elimination of parking minimums;
(ii) the increase in maximum floor area ratio requirements and maximum building heights and the reduction in minimum lot sizes and set-back requirements;
(iii) the elimination of restrictions against accessory dwelling units;
(iv) increasing by-right uses, including duplex, triplex, or quadplex buildings, across cities or metropolitan areas;
(v) mechanisms, including proximity to transit, to determine the appropriate scope for rezoning and ensure development that does not disproportionately burden residents of economically distressed areas;
(vi) provisions regarding review of by-right development proposals to streamline review and reduce uncertainty, including--
(I) nondiscretionary, ministerial review; and (II) entitlement and design review processes;
(vii) the reduction of obstacles, regulatory or otherwise, to a range of housing types at all levels of affordability, including manufactured and modular housing;
(viii) State model zoning regulations for directing local reforms, including mechanisms to encourage adoption;
(ix) provisions to encourage transit-oriented development, including increased permissible units per structure and reduced minimum lot sizes near existing or planned public transit stations;
(x) potential reforms to strengthen the public engagement process;
(xi) reforms to protest petition statutes;
(xii) the standardization, reduction, or elimination of impact fees;
(xiii) cost-effective and appropriate building codes;
(xiv) models for community benefit agreements;
(xv) mechanisms to preserve affordability, limit disruption of low-income communities, and prevent displacement of existing residents;
(xvi) with respect to State zoning frameworks--
(I) State model codes for directing local reforms, including mechanisms to encourage adoption;
(II) a model for a State zoning appeals process, which would--
(aa) create a process for developers or builders requesting a variance, conditional use, special permit, zoning district change, similar discretionary permit, or otherwise petitioning a local zoning or planning board for a project, including a State-defined amount of affordable housing to appeal a rejection to a State body or regional body empowered by the State; and
(bb) establish qualifications for communities to be exempted from the appeals process based on their available stock of affordable housing; and
(III) streamlining of State environmental review policies;
(xvii) with respect to local zoning frameworks--
(I) the simplification and standardization of existing zoning codes;
(II) maximum review timelines;
(III) best practices for the disposition of land owned by local governments for affordable housing development;
(IV) differentiations between best practices for rural, suburban, and urban communities, and communities with different levels of density or population distribution; and
(V) streamlining of local environmental review policies; and
(xviii) other land use measures that promote access to new housing opportunities identified by the Secretary; and
(C) consider--
(i) the effects of adopting any recommendation on eligibility for Federal discretionary grants and tax credits for the purpose of housing or community development;
(ii) coordination between infrastructure investments and housing planning;
(iii) local housing needs, including ways to set and measure housing goals and targets;
(iv) a range of affordability for rental units, with a prioritization of units attainable to extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income residents;
(v) a range of affordability for homeownership;
(vi) accountability measures;
(vii) the long-term cost to residents and businesses if more housing is not constructed;
(viii) barriers to individuals seeking to access affordable housing in growing communities and communities with economic opportunity;
(ix) with respect to State zoning frameworks--
(I) distinctions between States providing constitutional or statutory home rule authority to municipalities and States operating under the Dillon Rule, as articulated in Hunter v. Pittsburgh, 207 U.S. 161 (1907); and
(II) Statewide mechanisms to preserve existing affordability over the long term, including support for land banks and community land trusts;
(x) public comments elicited under paragraph (2)(A); and
(xi) other considerations, as identified by the Assistant Secretary.
(c) Abolishment of the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse.--
(1) In general.--The Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse established pursuant to section 1205 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d) is abolished.
(2) Repeal.--Section 1205 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d) is repealed.
(d) Reporting.--Not later than 5 years after the date on which the Assistant Secretary publishes the final guidelines and best practices for State and local zoning frameworks under this section, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing--
(1) the States that have adopted recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, pursuant to subsection (b);
(2) a summary of the localities that have adopted recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, pursuant to subsection (b);
(3) a list of States that adopted a State zoning framework;
(4) a summary of the modifications that each State has made in their State zoning framework;
(5) a general summary of the types of updates localities have made to their local zoning framework;
(6) with respect to the States that have adopted a State zoning framework or recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, the effect of such adoptions; and
(7) a summary of any recommendations that were routinely not adopted by States or by localities.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to permit the Department of Housing and Urban Development to take an adverse action against or fail to provide otherwise offered actions or services for any State or locality if the State or locality declines to adopt a guideline or best practice under subsection (b).
SEC. 201. INCREASING HOUSING IN OPPORTUNITY ZONES.
(a) Covered Grant Defined.--In this section, the term "covered grant" means any competitive grant relating to the construction, modification, rehabilitation, or preservation of housing, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Priority.--When awarding a covered grant, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may give additional weight to applicants with proposed activities or projects that are located in or substantially and directly benefit a community designated as a qualified opportunity zone under section 1400Z-1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
SEC. 202.
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WHOLE-HOME REPAIRS ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable unit.--The term "affordable unit" means a unit for which the monthly rental payment is not more than 30 percent of the gross income of an individual earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income, as defined by the Secretary.
(2) Assisted unit.--The term "assisted unit" means a unit that undergoes repair or rehabilitation work through a whole-home repairs program administered by an implementing organization under this section.
(3) Eligible home-owner.--The term "eligible home-owner" means a home-owner--
(A) with a household income that--
(i) is not more than 80 percent of the area median income; or
(ii) meets the income eligibility requirements for receiving assistance or benefits under a specified program, as defined in paragraph (11); and
(B) who is--
(i) an owner of record as evidenced by a publicly recorded deed, or other document recorded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and occupies the home on which repairs are to be conducted as their principal residence;
(ii) an owner-occupant of the manufactured home on which repairs are to be conducted;
(iii) an owner-occupant of the cooperative housing unit on which repairs are to be conducted; or
(iv) an owner who can demonstrate an ownership interest in the property, or trust land leasehold, on which repairs are to be conducted, including a person who has inherited an interest in that property.
(4) Eligible landlord.--The term "eligible landlord" means an individual--
(A) who owns, as determined by the relevant implementing organization, fewer than 10 eligible rental properties, with a majority of affordable units and not more than 25 total units, operated as primary residences in which a majority ownership interest is held by the individual, the spouse of the individual, or the dependent children of the individual, or any closely held legal entity controlled by the individual, the spouse of the individual, or the dependent children of the individual, either individually or collectively; and
(B) who agrees to the provisions described in subsection (b)(3).
(5) Eligible rental property.--The term "eligible rental property" means a residential property that--
(A) is leased, or offered exclusively for lease, as a primary residence by an eligible landlord; and
(B) includes affordable units.
(6) Forgivable loan.--The term "forgivable loan" means a loan--
(A) made to an eligible landlord;
(B) that is secured by a lien recorded against a residential property; and
(C) that may be forgiven by the implementing organization not later than the date that is 3 years after the completion of the repairs if the eligible landlord has maintained compliance with the loan agreement described in subsection (b)(3).
(7) Implementing organization.--The term "implementing organization"--
(A) means a unit of general local government or a State that--
(i) will administer a whole-home repairs program through an agency, department, or other entity; or
(ii) enters into agreements with 1 or more local governments, Indian tribes, municipal authorities, other governmental authorities, including a tribally designated housing entity, or qualified nonprofit organizations, to administer a whole-home repairs program as a subrecipient; and
(B) does not include a redundant entity in a jurisdiction already served by a grantee under subsection (b).
(8) Indian tribe.--The term "Indian tribe" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).
(9) Qualified nonprofit.--The term "qualified nonprofit" means a nonprofit organization that--
(A) has received funding, as a recipient or subrecipient, through--
(i) the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(ii) the HOME Investment Partnerships program under subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12741 et seq.);
(iii) the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction grant program under section 1011 of the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 4852), a grant under the Healthy Homes Initiative administered by the Secretary pursuant to sections 501 and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1, 1701z-2),
or a grant under the Older Adult Home Modification Grants Program authorized under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-42), or any successor Act, to make safety and functional home modification repairs and renovations to meet the needs of low-income seniors to enable them to remain in their primary residence;
(iv) the Self-Help and Assisted Homeownership Opportunity program authorized under section 11 of the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 12805 note);
(v) a rural housing program under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.); or
(vi) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation established under the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.);
(B) has coordinated, performed, or otherwise been engaged in weatherization, lead remediation, or home-repair work for not less than 2 years;
(C) has been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency, or by a State authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency to administer a certification program, as--
(i) eligible to carry out activities under the lead renovation, repair, and painting program under section 402(c) or 404 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2682(c), 2684); or
(ii) a Home Certification Organization under the Energy Star program established by section 324A of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6294a) or the WaterSense program under section 324B of that Act (42 U.S.C. 6294b), or recognized or otherwise approved by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Home Certification Organization under either of those programs; or
(D) is a community development financial institution, as defined in section 103 of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702).
(10) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(11) Specified program.--For purposes of paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the term "specified program" means any of the following:
(A) The Medicaid program established under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
(B) The State Children's Health Insurance Program established under title XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.).
(C) The supplemental security income benefits program established under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.).
(D) The supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.).
(E) The temporary assistance for needy families program established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(12) State.--The term "State" means--
(A) each State of the United States;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(D) any territory or possession of the United States; and
(E) an Indian tribe.
(13) Tribally designated housing entity.--The term "tribally designated housing entity" has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).
(14) Whole-home repairs.--The term "whole-home repairs" means modifications, repairs, or updates to home-owner or renter-occupied units to address--
(A) physical and sensory accessibility for individuals with disabilities and older adults, such as bathroom and kitchen modifications, installation of grab bars and handrails, guards and guardrails, lifting devices, ramp additions or repairs, sidewalk addition or repair, or doorway or hallway widening;
(B) habitability and safety concerns, such as repairs needed to ensure residential units are fit for human habitation and free from defective conditions or health and safety hazards; or
(C) energy and water efficiency, resilience, and weatherization.
(b) Pilot Program.--
(1) Establishment.--There is authorized a pilot program to provide grants to implementing organizations to administer a whole-home repairs program for eligible home-owners and eligible landlords.
(2) Use of funds.--An implementing organization that receives a grant from appropriated funds made available for this subsection--
(A) shall provide grants to eligible home-owners to implement whole-home repairs not covered by other Federal home repair programs up to a maximum amount per unit, which maximum amount should--
(i) reflect local construction costs and the level of repairs needed in each unit; and
(ii) be calculated and approved by the Secretary;
(B) shall provide loans, which may be forgivable, to eligible landlords to implement whole-home repairs not covered by other Federal home repair programs for individual affordable units, public and common use areas within the property, and common structural elements up to a maximum amount per unit, area, or element, as applicable, which maximum amount should--
(i) reflect local construction costs; and
(ii) be calculated and approved by the Secretary;
(C) shall evaluate, or provide assistance to eligible home-owners and eligible landlords to evaluate, whole-home repair program funds provided under this subsection with Federal, State, Tribal, and local home repair programs to provide the greatest benefit to the greatest number of eligible landlords and eligible home-owners and avoid duplication of benefits and redundancies for the same home repairs;
(D) shall require that--
(i) all repairs funded or facilitated through an award under this subsection have been completed;
(ii) if repairs are not completed and the plan for whole-home repairs is not updated to reflect the new scope of work, that the loan or grant is repaid on a prorated basis based on completed work; and
(iii) any unused grant or loan balance is returned to the implementing organization, and is reused by the implementing organization for a new whole-home repair grant or loan under this subsection;
(E) may use not more than 5 percent of the awarded funds to carry out related functions, including workforce training for home repair professions, which shall be related to efforts to increase the number of home repairs performed and approved by the Secretary;
(F) may use not more than 10 percent of the awarded funds for administrative expenses;
(G) shall comply with Federal accessibility requirements and standards under applicable Federal fair housing and civil rights laws and regulations, including section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
(H) shall ensure that rental properties assisted under subparagraph (B) shall be treated as projects assisted under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(3) Loan agreement.--In a loan agreement with an eligible landlord under this subsection, an implementing organization shall include provisions establishing that the eligible landlord shall, for each eligible rental property for which a loan is used to fund repairs under this subsection--
(A) comply with Federal accessibility requirements and standards under applicable Federal fair housing and civil rights laws and regulations, including section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
(B)(i) if the landlord is renting the assisted units available in the eligible rental property to tenants receiving tenant-based rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
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1437f(o)), under another tenant-based rental assistance program administered by the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture, or under a tenant-based rental subsidy provided by a State or local government, comply with the program requirements under the relevant tenant-based rental assistance program; or
(ii) if the eligible landlord is not renting to tenants receiving rental-based assistance as described in clause (i)--
(I)(aa) offer to extend the lease of current tenants on current terms, other than the terms described in subclause (iv) for not less than 3 years beginning after the completion of the repairs, unless the lease is terminated due to failure to pay rent, performance of an illegal act within the rental unit, or a violation of an obligation of tenancy that the tenants failed to correct after notice; and
(bb) if the tenant of an assisted unit moves out of the assisted unit at any point in the 3-year period following the loan agreement, maintain the unit as an affordable unit for the remainder of the 3-year period;
(II) provide documentation verifying that the property, upon completion of approved renovations, has met all applicable State and local housing and building codes;
(III) attest that the landlord has no known serious violations of renter protections that have resulted in fines, penalties, or judgments during the preceding 10 years; and
(IV) cap annual rent increases for each assisted unit at 5 percent of base rent or at the rate of inflation, whichever is lower, for not less than 3 years beginning after the completion of the repairs.
(4) Application.--
(A) In general.--An implementing organization desiring an award under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an application that includes--
(i) the geographic scope of the whole-home repairs program to be administered by the implementing organization, including the plan to address need in any rural, Tribal, suburban, or urban area within a jurisdiction;
(ii) a plan for selecting subrecipients, if applicable;
(iii) a description of how the implementing organization plans to execute the coordination of Federal, State, Tribal, and local home repair programs, including programs administered by the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Veteran Affairs, or the Department of Agriculture, to increase efficiency and reduce redundancy;
(iv) available data on the need for affordable and quality housing within the geographic scope of the whole-home repairs program, and any plans to preserve affordability through the term of the award;
(v) a description of how the implementing organization plans to process and verify applications for grants from eligible home-
owners and applications for loans from eligible landlords; and
(vi) such other information as the Secretary requires to determine the ability of an applicant to carry out a program under this subsection.
(B) Considerations.--In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
(i) with respect to applications submitted by States other than the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States, prioritize those applications with a demonstrated plan to--
(I) make a good-faith effort to implement the pilot program in every jurisdiction; and
(II) provide nonmetropolitan areas, or subrecipients serving non-metropolitan areas if applicable, with a share of total funds commensurate with their population;
(ii) aim to select applicants so that the awardees collectively span diverse geographies, with an intent to understand the impact of the pilot program under this subsection in urban, suburban, rural, and Tribal settings; and
(iii) not disqualify implementing organizations that were awarded grants under the pilot program in prior application cycles.
(5) Program information.--The Secretary shall make available to grant recipients under this subsection information regarding existing Federal programs for which grant recipients may coordinate or provide assistance in coordinating applications for those programs in accordance with paragraph (2)(C).
(6) Grant number.--In each year in which an award is made under this subsection, the Secretary shall award assistance to--
(A) not less than 2, and not more than 10, implementing organizations, as application numbers and funding permit; and
(B) not more than 1 implementing organization in any State.
(7) Loans that are not forgiven.--If a loan made by an implementing organization under paragraph (2)(B) is not forgiven, the loan repayment funds shall be reused by the implementing organization for a new whole-home repair grant or loan under this subsection, which shall remain subject to the original terms of the assistance awarded under this subsection.
(8) Supplement, not supplant.--Amounts awarded under this subsection to implementing organizations shall supplement, not supplant, other Federal, State, Tribal, and local funds made available to those entities.
(9) Streamlining program delivery and ensuring efficiency.--To the extent possible, in carrying out the pilot program under this subsection, the Secretary shall--
(A) endeavor to improve efficiency of service delivery, as well as the experience of and impact on the taxpayer, by encouraging programmatic collaboration and information sharing across Federal, State, Tribal, and local programs for home repair or improvement, including programs administered by the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Department of Energy; and
(B) enhance collaboration and cross-agency streamlining efforts that reduce the burden of multiple income verification processes and applications on the eligible home-owner, the eligible landlord, the implementing organization, and the Federal Government, including by establishing assistance application procedures for income eligibility under this subsection that recognize income eligibility determinations for assistance using any of the criteria under subsection (a)(3)(A) that have been used for assistance applications during the 1-year period preceding the date on which an eligible home-owner or eligible landlord applies for assistance under this subsection.
(10) Reporting requirements.--
(A) Annual report.--An implementing organization that receives a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary an annual report on initial funding that includes--
(i) the number of units served, including reporting on both home-ownership and rental units, as well as accessible units;
(ii) the average cost per unit for modifications or repairs and the nature of those modifications or repairs, including reporting on accessibility in both home-ownership and rental units;
(iii) the number of applications received, served, denied, or not completed, disaggregated by geographic area;
(iv) the aggregated demographic data of grant recipients, which may include data on income range, urban, suburban, and rural residency, age, and racial and ethnic identity;
(v) the aggregated demographic data of loan recipients, which may include data on income range, urban, suburban, and rural residency, age, and racial and ethnic identity;
(vi) an affirmation that the implementation organization has complied with the applicable regulations, including compliance with Federal accessibility requirements;
(vii) in the first year of receiving a grant, and as certified in subsequent reports, a comprehensive plan to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse in the administration of the pilot program, which shall include, at a minimum--
(I) a policy enacted and enforced by the implementing organization to monitor ongoing expenditures under this subsection and ensure compliance with applicable regulations;
(II) a policy enacted and enforced by the implementing organization to detect and deter fraudulent activity, including fraud occurring in individual projects and patterns of fraud by parties involved in the expenditure of funds under this subsection;
(III) a statement setting forth any violations detected by the implementing organization during the previous calendar year, including details about steps taken to achieve compliance and any remedial measures; and
(IV) a certification by the chief executive or most senior compliance officer of the organization that the organization maintains sufficient staff and resources to effectively carry out the above-mentioned policies; and
(viii) such other information as the Secretary may require.
(B) Reporting requirement alignment.--To limit the costs of implementing the pilot program under this subsection, the Secretary shall endeavor, to the extent possible, to structure reporting requirements such that they align with the data reporting requirements in place for funding streams that implementing organizations are likely to use together with funding from this subsection, including the reporting requirements under--
(i) the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(ii) the HOME Investment Partnerships program under subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12741 et seq.);
(iii) the Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income persons established under part A of title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6861 et seq.); and
(iv) the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.).
(C) Pilot program period reports.--Not less frequently than twice during the period in which the pilot program established under this subsection operates, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development shall complete an assessment of the implementation of measures to ensure the fair and legitimate use of the pilot program.
(D) Summary to congress.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives an annual report providing a summary of the data provided under subparagraphs (A) and (C) during the 1-year period preceding the report and all data previously provided under those subparagraphs.
(11) Environmental review.--A grant under this subsection shall be--
(A) treated as assistance for a special project for purposes of section 305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547); and
(B) subject to the regulations promulgated by the Secretary to implement such section.
(12) Termination.--The pilot program established under this subsection shall terminate on October 1, 2031.
SEC. 203. COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND PROSPERITY ACT.
(a) Revised Statutes.--The paragraph designated as the "Eleventh" of section 5136 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 24) is amended, in the fifth sentence, by striking "15" each place the term appears and inserting "20".
(b) Federal Reserve Act.--Section 9(23) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 338a) is amended, in the fifth sentence, by striking "15" each place the term appears and inserting "20".
(c) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter, the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall each submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, a report, after consulting with the other agency in the development of such report, about public welfare investments that were made by associations under section 5136 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 24) and State member banks under section 9(23) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C.
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338a) in the 2 previous calendar years, that--
(1) identifies the number of such investments, broken down by--
(A) purpose;
(B) type;
(C) amount of assets of the association or State member bank that made the investment, using not fewer than 4 categories to describe the amount of assets of the associations and banks; and
(D) State or other location;
(2) identifies the dollar amounts of such investments, broken down by--
(A) purpose;
(B) type;
(C) amount of assets of the association or State member bank that made the investment, using not fewer than 4 categories to describe the amount of assets of the associations and banks; and
(D) State or other location; and
(3) for each type of public welfare investment identified under paragraphs (1) and (2), a description of the substantive and procedural requirements that apply to each type of investment made under--
(A) in the case of a report by the Comptroller of the Currency, section 5136 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (12 U.S.C. 24); or
(B) in the case of a report by the Board of Governors, section 9(23) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 338a).
SEC. 204. ADDITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AS AN
ELIGIBLE ACTIVITY.
(a) Eligible Activity.--Section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)), as amended by section 104 of this Act, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (26), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (27), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(28) the new construction of affordable housing, within the meaning given such term under section 215 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12745), and which shall not exceed 20 percent of the amounts allocated to the recipient.".
(b) Low- and Moderate-income Requirement.--Section 105(c)(3) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(c)(3)) is amended by striking "or rehabilitation" and inserting ", rehabilitation, or new construction".
(c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect only to amounts appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 205. BETTER USE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT (BUILD) HOUSING ACT.
(a) Designation of Environmental Review Procedure.--The Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3531 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 12 (42 U.S.C. 3537a) the following:
"SEC. 13. DESIGNATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCEDURE.
"(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the Secretary may, for purposes of environmental review, decision making, and action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and other provisions of law that further the purposes of such Act, designate the treatment of assistance administered by the Secretary as funds for a special project for purposes of section 305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547).
"(b) Exception.--The designation described in subsection (a) shall not apply to assistance for which a procedure for carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and other provisions of law that further the purposes of such Act, is otherwise specified in law.".
(b) Tribal Assumption of Environmental Review Obligations.--Section 305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547) is amended--
(1) by striking "State or unit of general local government" each place it appears and inserting "State, Indian Tribe, or unit of general local government";
(2) in paragraph (1)(C), in the heading, by striking "State or unit of general local government" and inserting "State, indian tribe, or unit of general local government"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(5) Definition of indian tribe.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `Indian Tribe' means a federally recognized tribe, as defined in section 4(13)(B) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103(13)(B)).".
(c) Implementation.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), a designation of assistance under section 13 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act, as added by subsection (a), shall only apply with respect to funds appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Exception.--If a grantee of assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development combines funds appropriated before and after the date of enactment of this Act to carry out a project, section 13 of the Department of and Urban Development Act, as added by subsection (a), shall not apply to that assistance.
SEC. 206. UNLOCKING HOUSING SUPPLY THROUGH STREAMLINED AND
MODERNIZED REVIEWS ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Infill project.--The term "infill project" means a project that--
(A) occurs within the geographic limits of a municipality;
(B) is adequately served by existing utilities and public services as required under applicable law;
(C) is located on a site of previously disturbed land of not more than 5 acres and substantially surrounded by residential or commercial development;
(D) will repurpose a vacant or underutilized parcel of land, or a dilapidated or abandoned structure; and
(E) will serve a residential or commercial purpose.
(2) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) NEPA Streamlining for HUD Housing-related Activities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, and section 103 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4333), expand and reclassify housing-related activities under the necessary administrative regulations as follows:
(A) The following housing-related activities shall be subject to regulations equivalent or substantially similar to the regulations entitled "exempt activities" as set forth in section 58.34 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025:
(i) Tenant-based rental assistance.
(ii) Supportive services, including health care, housing services, permanent housing placement, day care, nutritional services, short-term payments for rent, mortgage, or utility costs, and assistance in gaining access to Federal Government and State and local government benefits and services.
(iii) Operating costs, including maintenance, security, operation, utilities, furnishings, equipment, supplies, staff training, and recruitment and other incidental costs.
(iv) Economic development activities, including equipment purchases, inventory financing, interest subsidies, operating expenses, and similar costs not associated with construction or expansion of existing operations.
(v) Activities to assist home-buyers in the purchase of existing dwelling units or dwelling units under construction, including closing costs and down payment assistance, interest rate buydowns, and similar activities that result in the transfer of title.
(vi) Affordable housing predevelopment costs related to obtaining site options, project financing, administrative costs and fees for loan commitment, zoning approvals, and other related activities that do not have a physical impact.
(vii) Approval of supplemental assistance, including insurance or guarantee, to a project previously approved by the Secretary.
(viii) Emergency home-owner or renter assistance for the repair or replacement of HVAC, hot water heaters, and other necessary existing utilities required under applicable law.
(B) The following housing-related activities shall be subject to regulations equivalent or substantially similar to the regulations entitled, (i) "categorical exclusions not subject to section 58.5" and (ii) "categorical exclusions not subject to the Federal laws and authorities cited in section 50.4" in section 58.35(b) and section 50.19, respectively of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025, if such activities do not materially alter environmental conditions and do not materially exceed the original scope of the project:
(i) Acquisition, repair, improvement, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of public facilities and improvements (other than buildings) if the facilities and improvements are in place and will be retained in the same use without change in size or capacity of more than 20 percent, including replacement of water or sewer lines, reconstruction of curbs and sidewalks, and repaving of streets.
(ii) Rehabilitation of 1-to-4 unit residential buildings, and existing housing-related infrastructure, such as repairs or rehabilitation of existing wells, septics, or utility lines that connect to that housing.
(iii) New construction, development, demolition, acquisition, or disposition of up to 4 scattered site existing dwelling units where there is a maximum of 4 units on any 1 site.
(iv) Acquisitions (including leasing) of, disposition of, or equity loans on an existing structure, or acquisition (including leasing) of vacant land if the structure or land acquired, financed, or disposed of will be retained for the same use.
(C) The following housing-related activities shall be subject to regulations equivalent or substantially similar to the regulations entitled, (i) "categorical exclusions subject to section 58.5" and (ii) "categorical exclusions subject to the Federal laws and authorities cited in section 50.4" in section 58.35(a) and section 50.20, respectively, of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025, if such activities do not materially alter environmental conditions and do not materially exceed the original scope of the project:
(i) Acquisitions of open space or residential property, where such property will be retained for the same use or will be converted to open space to help residents relocate out of an area designated as a high-risk area by the Secretary.
(ii) Conversion of existing office buildings into residential development, subject to--
(I) a maximum number of units to be determined by the Secretary; and
(II) a limitation on the change in building size of not more than 20 percent.
(iii) New construction, development, demolition, acquisition, or disposition of 5 to 15 dwelling units where there is a maximum of 15 units on any 1 site.
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The units can be 15 1-unit buildings or 1 15-unit building, or any combination in between.
(iv) New construction, development, demolition, acquisition, or disposition of 15 or more housing units developed on scattered sites when there are not more than 15 housing units on any 1 site, and the sites are more than a set number of feet apart as determined by the Secretary.
(v) Rehabilitation of buildings and improvements in the case of a building for residential use with 5 to 15 units, if the density is not increased beyond 15 units and the land use is not changed.
(vi) Infill projects consisting of new construction, rehabilitation, or development of residential housing units.
(vii) The voluntary acquisition of properties--
(I) located in--
(aa) a floodway; (bb) a floodplain; or (cc) any other area, clearly delineated by the grantee; and
(II) that have been impacted by a predictable environmental threat to the safety and well-being of program beneficiaries caused or exacerbated by a federally declared disaster.
(c) Implementation.--For purposes of implementing the streamlining of environmental review for housing-related activities under subsection (b), the agency actions carried out under that subsection--
(1) shall only apply with respect to funds appropriated after the effective date of those actions; and
(2) shall not apply with respect to a grantee that combines funds appropriated before and after the effective date of those actions to carry out a project.
(d) Report.--The Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives an annual report during the 5-year period beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act that provides a summary of findings of reductions in review times and administrative cost reduction, with a particular focus on the affordable housing sector, as a result of the actions set forth in this section, and any recommendations of the Secretary for future congressional action with respect to revising categorical exclusions or exemptions under title 24, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 207. GRANTS FOR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION ASSOCIATED
WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means--
(A) a State, insular area, metropolitan city, or urban county, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302); or
(B) a regional planning agency or consortia of regional planning agencies.
(2) Housing plan.--The term "housing plan" means a plan to, with respect to an area within the jurisdiction of an eligible entity--
(A) increase the amount of available housing to meet the demand for such housing and any projected increase in the demand for such housing;
(B) increase the affordability of housing;
(C) increase the accessibility of housing for people with disabilities, including location-efficient housing;
(D) preserve or improve the quality of housing;
(E) reduce barriers to housing development; and
(F) coordinate with transportation-related agencies.
(3) Housing strategy.--The term "housing strategy" means a housing strategy required under section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705).
(4) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to assist planning and implementation activities associated with affordable housing, except that such grant awards may not be used for construction, alteration, or repair work.
(c) Use of Amounts.--
(1) By regional planning agencies.--If an eligible entity that receives amounts under this section is an eligible entity described in subsection (a)(1)(B), the eligible entity shall use those amounts to assist planning activities with respect to affordable housing, including--
(A) the development of housing plans;
(B) the substantial improvement of State or local housing strategies;
(C) the development of new regulatory requirements and processes;
(D) updating zoning codes;
(E) increasing the capacity to conduct housing inspections;
(F) increasing the capacity to reduce barriers to housing supply elasticity and housing affordability;
(G) the development of local or regional plans for community development; and
(H) the substantial improvement of community development strategies, including strategies designed to--
(i) increase the availability of affordable housing and access to affordable housing;
(ii) increase access to public transportation; and
(iii) advance sustainable or location-efficient community development goals.
(2) By states, insular areas, metropolitan cities, and urban counties.--If an eligible entity that receives amounts under this section is an eligible entity described in subsection (a)(1)(A), the eligible entity shall use those amounts to--
(A) implement and administer housing strategies and housing plans;
(B) implement and administer any plans to increase housing choice, address disparities in housing needs, and provide greater access to opportunity;
(C) fund any community investments that support goals identified in a housing strategy or housing plan;
(D) implement and administer regulatory requirements and processes with respect to reformed zoning codes;
(E) increase the capacity to conduct housing inspections;
(F) increase the capacity to reduce barriers to housing supply elasticity and housing affordability;
(G) implement and administer local or regional plans for community development; and
(H) fund any planning to increase--
(i) the availability of affordable housing and access to affordable housing;
(ii) access to public transportation; and
(iii) any location-efficient community development goals.
(3) Use for administrative costs.--A eligible entity that receives amounts under this section may not use more than 10 percent of those amounts for administrative costs.
(d) Coordination.--To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration in carrying out this section.
(e) Expiration of Authority.--After the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may not newly establish a program as described in this section.
(f) Sunset.--The program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 208. INNOVATION FUND.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Attainable housing.--The term "attainable housing" means housing that serves households earning not more than 120 percent of the area median income, if the majority of the housing units are affordable to households earning not more than 60 percent of the area median income.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means--
(A) a metropolitan city or urban county, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302), that has demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply growth, as determined by the Secretary, whose methodology for determining such growth is published in the Federal Register to allow for public comment not less than 90 days before the date on which the notice of funding opportunity is made available; or
(B) a unit of general local government or an Indian tribe, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302), that has demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply growth, as determined by the Secretary, whose methodology for determining such improvement is published in the Federal Register to allow for public comment not less than 90 days before the date on which the notice of funding opportunity is made available.
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Establishment of a Grant Program.--
(1) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities that have increased their local housing supply.
(2) List of eligible entities.--The Secretary shall make a list of eligible entities publicly available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Eligible purposes.--An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section may use funds to--
(A) carry out any of the activities described in section 105 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5305);
(B) carry out any of the activities permitted under the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program established under section 6702 of title 49, United States Code; and
(C) carry out initiatives of the eligible entity that facilitate the expansion of the supply of attainable housing and that supplement initiatives the eligible entity has carried out, or is in the process of carrying out, as specified in the application submitted under paragraph (4).
(4) Application.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application that provides--
(i) a description of each purpose for which the eligible entity will use the grant, and an attestation that the grant will be used only for 1 or more eligible purposes described in paragraph (3);
(ii) data on characteristics of increased housing supply during the 3-year period ending on the date on which the application is submitted, which may include whether such housing--
(I) serves households at a range of income levels; and
(II) has improved the quality and affordability of housing in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity;
(iii) a description of how each eligible purpose described in clause (i) may address a community need or advance an objective, or an aspect of an objective, included in the comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development plan of the eligible entity under part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation (commonly referred to as a "consolidated plan"); and
(iv) a description of how the eligible entity has carried out, or is in the process of carrying out, initiatives that facilitate the expansion of the supply of housing.
(B) Initiatives.--Initiatives that meet the criteria described in paragraph (3)(C) include, but shall not be limited to--
(i) increasing by-right uses, including duplex, triplex, quadplex, and multifamily buildings, in areas of opportunity;
(ii) revising or eliminating off-street parking requirements to reduce the cost of housing production;
(iii) revising minimum lot size requirements, floor area ratio requirements, set-back requirements, building heights, and bans or limits on construction that allow for denser and more affordable development;
(iv) instituting incentives to promote dense development for communities where increased density is needed;
(v) passing zoning overlays or other ordinances that enable the development of mixed-income housing;
(vi) streamlining regulatory requirements and shortening processes, increasing code enforcement and permitting capacity, reforming zoning codes, or other initiatives that reduce barriers to increasing housing supply and affordability;
(vii) eliminating restrictions against accessory dwelling units and expanding their by-right use;
(viii) using local tax incentives or public financing to promote development of attainable housing;
(ix) streamlining environmental regulations;
(x) eliminating unnecessary manufactured-housing or cooperative housing regulations and restrictions;
(xi) minimizing the impact of overburdensome energy and water efficiency standards on housing costs; and
(xii) other activities that reduce the cost of construction, as determined by the Secretary.
(5) Grants.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make not fewer than 25 grants on an annual basis (unless amounts appropriated to provide grant amounts consistent with subsection (b) are insufficient, in which case fewer grants may be awarded), with strong consideration of different geographical areas and a relatively even spread of rural, suburban, and urban communities.
(B) Limitations on awards.--No grant awarded under this paragraph may be--
(i) more than $10,000,000; or
(ii) less than $250,000.
(C) Priority.--When awarding grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that has--
(i) demonstrated the use of innovative policies, interventions, or programs for increasing housing supply; and
(ii) demonstrated a marked improvement in housing supply growth, as needed.
(D) Grant administration and terms.--Projects assisted under this section for activities described in sector 23 of the North American Industry Classification System shall be treated as projects assisted under the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.).
(c) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed--
(1) to authorize the Secretary to mandate, supersede, or preempt any local zoning or land use policy; or
(2) to affect the requirements of section 105(c)(1) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705(c)(1)).
(d) Sunset.--The program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
(2) Adjustment.--The amount authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Customers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.
SEC. 209. ACCELERATING HOME BUILDING ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable housing.--The term "affordable housing" means housing for which the total monthly housing cost payment is not more than 30 percent of the monthly household income for a household earning not more than 80 percent of the area median income.
(2) Covered structure.--The term "covered structure" means--
(A) a low-rise or mid-rise structure with not more than 25 dwelling units; and
(B) includes--
(i) an accessory dwelling unit;
(ii) infill development;
(iii) a duplex;
(iv) a triplex;
(v) a fourplex;
(vi) a cottage court;
(vii) a courtyard building;
(viii) a townhouse;
(ix) a multiplex; and
(x) any other structure with not less than 2 dwelling units that the Secretary considers appropriate.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means--
(A) a unit of general local government, as defined in section 102(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a));
(B) a municipal membership organization; and
(C) an Indian tribe, as defined in section 102(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a)).
(4) High opportunity area.--The term "high opportunity area" has the meaning given the term in section 1282.1 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
(5) Infill development.--The term "infill development" means residential development on small parcels in previously established areas for replacement with new or refurbished housing that utilizes existing utilities and infrastructure.
(6) Mixed-income housing.--The term "mixed-income housing" means a housing development that is comprised of housing units that promote differing levels of affordability in the community.
(7) Prereviewed designs.--The term "prereviewed designs", also known as pattern books, means sets of construction plans that are assessed and approved by localities for compliance with local building and permitting standards to streamline and expedite approval pathways for housing construction.
(8) Rural area.--The term "rural area" means any area other than a city or town that has a population of less than 50,000 inhabitants.
(9) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Authority.--The Secretary is authorized to award grants to eligible entities utilizing funds appropriated for such purpose to select prereviewed designs of covered structures of mixed-income housing for use in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, except that such grant awards may not be used for construction, alteration, or repair work.
(c) Considerations.--In reviewing applications submitted by eligible entities for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall consider--
(1) the need for affordable housing in the service area of the eligible entity;
(2) the presence of high opportunity areas in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity;
(3) coordination between the eligible entity and a State agency; and
(4) coordination between the eligible entity and State, local, and regional transportation planning authorities.
(d) Set-aside for Rural Areas.--Of the amount made available in each fiscal year for grants under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that not less than 10 percent shall be used for grants to eligible entities that are located in rural areas.
(e) Reports.--The Secretary shall require eligible entities receiving grants under this section to report on--
(1) the impacts of the activities carried out using the grant amounts in improving the production and supply of affordable housing;
(2) the prereviewed designs selected using the grant amounts in their communities;
(3) the number of permits issued for housing development utilizing prereviewed designs; and
(4) the number of housing units produced in developments utilizing the prereviewed designs.
(f) Availability of Information.--The Secretary shall--
(1) to the extent possible, encourage localities to make publicly available through a website information on the prereviewed designs selected and submitted to the Secretary by eligible entities receiving grants under this section, including information on the benefits of use of those designs; and
(2) collect, identify, and disseminate best practices regarding such designs and make such information publicly available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(g) Design Adoption and Repayment.--The Secretary may require an eligible entity to return to the Secretary any grant funds received under this section if the selected prereviewed designs submitted under this section have not been adopted during the 5-year period following receipt of the grant, unless that period is extended by the Secretary.
(h) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may set aside not more than 5 percent of amounts appropriated in a fiscal year to provide technical assistance to grant recipients under this section and pregrant technical assistance to prospective applicants.
SEC. 210. REVITALIZING EMPTY STRUCTURES INTO DESIRABLE
ENVIRONMENTS (RESIDE) ACT.
(a) In General.--Subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12741 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 227.
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REVITALIZING EMPTY STRUCTURES INTO DESIRABLE
ENVIRONMENTS.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Attainable housing.--The term `attainable housing' means housing that serves households earning not more than 120 percent of the area median income, if the majority of the housing units are affordable to households earning not more than 60 percent of the area median income.
"(2) Converted housing unit.--The term `converted housing unit' means a housing unit that is created using a covered grant.
"(3) Covered grant.--The term `covered grant' means a grant awarded under the Pilot Program.
"(4) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means a participating jurisdiction.
"(5) Pilot program.--The term `Pilot Program' means the pilot program established under subsection (b).
"(6) Vacant and abandoned building.--The term `vacant and abandoned building' means a property--
"(A) that was constructed for use as a warehouse, factory, mall, strip mall, or hotel, or for another industrial or commercial use; and
"(B)(i) with respect to which--
"(I) a code enforcement inspection has determined that the property is not safe; and
"(II) not less than 90 days have elapsed since the owner was notified of the deficiencies in the property and the owner has taken no corrective action; or
"(ii) that is subject to a court-ordered receivership or nuisance abatement related to abandonment pursuant to State or local law or otherwise meets the definition of an abandoned property under State law.
"(b) Purpose of Grant Program.--Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this subsection, the Secretary is authorized to establish a pilot program, spanning from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, which shall have the purpose of awarding grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to convert vacant and abandoned buildings into attainable housing.
"(c) Amount of Grant.--
"(1) In general.--For any fiscal year for which not less than $100,000,000 is made available to carry out the Pilot Program, the amount of a covered grant shall be not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $10,000,000.
"(2) Fiscal years with lower funding.--For any fiscal year for which less than $100,000,000 is made available to carry out the Pilot Program pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary shall seek to maximize the number of covered grants awarded.
"(d) Relation to Formula Allocation.--A covered grant awarded to an eligible entity shall be in addition to, and shall not affect, the formula allocation for the eligible entity under section 217.
"(e) Priority.--In awarding covered grants, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity that--
"(1) will use the covered grant in a community that is experiencing economic distress;
"(2) will use the covered grant in a qualified opportunity zone (as defined in section 1400Z-1(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986);
"(3) will use the covered grant to construct housing that will serve a need identified in the comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development plan of the eligible entity under part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation (commonly referred to as a `consolidated plan'); or
"(4) has enacted ordinances to reduce regulatory barriers to conversion of vacant and abandoned buildings to housing, which shall not include any alteration of an ordinance that governs safety and habitability.
"(f) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity may use a covered grant for--
"(1) property acquisition;
"(2) demolition;
"(3) health hazard remediation;
"(4) site preparation;
"(5) construction, renovation, or rehabilitation; or
"(6) the establishment, maintenance, or expansion of community land trusts or housing cooperatives.
"(g) Waiver Authority.--In administering covered grants, the Secretary may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use by eligible entities of covered grant funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, or the environment) if the Secretary makes a public finding that good cause exists for the waiver or alternative requirement.
"(h) Study; Report.--Not later than 180 days after the termination of the Pilot Program, the Secretary shall study and submit to Congress a report on the impact of the Pilot Program on--
"(1) improving the tax base of local communities;
"(2) increasing access to affordable housing, especially for elderly individuals, disabled individuals, and veterans;
"(3) increasing home-ownership; and
"(4) removing blight.".
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (Public Law 101-625; 104 Stat. 4079) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 226 the following:
"Sec. 227. Revitalizing empty structures into desirable environments.".
SEC. 211. HOUSING AFFORDABILITY ACT.
(a) In General.--Title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 206A (12 U.S.C. 1712a)--
(A) in subsection (a), in the matter following paragraph (7), by striking "(commencing in 2004" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: ", commencing on July 1, 2025. The adjustment of the Dollar Amounts shall be calculated by the Secretary using the percentage change in the Price Deflator Index of Multifamily Residential Units Under Construction released by the Bureau of the Census from March of the previous year to March of the year in which the adjustment is made, or by the Secretary using an alternative indicator after publishing information about such alternative indicator in the Federal Register for public comment if the Price Deflator Index of Multifamily Residential Units Under Construction is not available or published."; and
(B) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) Publication.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register any adjustments made to the Dollar Amounts.
"(2) Rounding.--The dollar amount of any adjustment described in paragraph (1) shall be rounded to the next lower dollar.";
(2) in section 207(c)(3)(A) (12 U.S.C. 1713(c)(3)(A))--
(A) by striking "$38,025" and inserting "$167,310";
(B) by striking "$42,120" and inserting "$185,328";
(C) by striking "$50,310" and inserting "$221,364";
(D) by striking "$62,010" and inserting "$272,844";
(E) by striking "$70,200" and inserting "$308,880";
(F) by striking ", or not to exceed $17,460 per space";
(G) by striking "$43,875" and inserting "$193,050";
(H) by striking "$49,140" and inserting "$216,216";
(I) by striking "$60,255" and inserting "$265,122";
(J) by striking "$75,465" and inserting "$332,046"; and
(K) by striking "$85,328" and inserting "$375,443";
(3) in section 213(b)(2) (12 U.S.C. 1715e(b)(2))--
(A) by striking "$41,207" and inserting "$181,311";
(B) by striking "$47,511" and inserting "$209,048";
(C) by striking "$57,300" and inserting "$252,120";
(D) by striking "$73,343" and inserting "$322,709";
(E) by striking "$81,708" and inserting "$359,515";
(F) by striking "$43,875" and inserting "$193,050";
(G) by striking "$49,710" and inserting "$218,724";
(H) by striking "$60,446" and inserting "$265,962";
(I) by striking "$78,197" and inserting "$344,067"; and
(J) by striking "$85,836" and inserting "$377,678";
(4) in section 220(d)(3)(B)(iii)(I) (12 U.S.C. 1715k(d)(3)(B)(iii)(I))--
(A) by striking "$38,025" and inserting "$167,310";
(B) by striking "$42,120" and inserting "$185,328";
(C) by striking "$50,310" and inserting "$221,364";
(D) by striking "$62,010" and inserting "$272,844";
(E) by striking "$70,200" and inserting "$308,880";
(F) by striking "$43,875" and inserting "$193,050";
(G) by striking "$49,140" and inserting "$216,216";
(H) by striking "$60,255" and inserting "$265,122";
(I) by striking "$75,465" and inserting "$332,046"; and
(J) by striking "$85,328" and inserting "$375,443";
(5) in section 221(d)(4)(ii)(I) (12 U.S.C. 1715l(d)(4)(ii)(I))--
(A) by striking "$37,843" and inserting "$166,509";
(B) by striking "$42,954" and inserting "$188,997";
(C) by striking "$51,920" and inserting "$228,448";
(D) by striking "$65,169" and inserting "$286,744";
(E) by striking "$73,846" and inserting "$324,922";
(F) by striking "$40,876" and inserting "$179,854";
(G) by striking "$46,859" and inserting "$206,180";
(H) by striking "$56,979" and inserting "$250,708";
(I) by striking "$73,710" and inserting "$324,324"; and
(J) by striking "$80,913" and inserting "$356,017";
(6) in section 231(c)(2)(A) (12 U.S.C. 1715v(c)(2)(A))--
(A) by striking "$35,978" and inserting "$166,509";
(B) by striking "$40,220" and inserting "$188,997";
(C) by striking "$48,029" and inserting "$228,448";
(D) by striking "$57,798" and inserting "$286,744";
(E) by striking "$67,950" and inserting "$324,922";
(F) by striking "$40,876" and inserting "$179,854";
(G) by striking "$46,859" and inserting "$206,180";
(H) by striking "$56,979" and inserting "$250,708";
(I) by striking "$73,710" and inserting "$324,324"; and
(J) by striking "$80,913" and inserting "$356,017"; and
(7) in section 234(e)(3)(A) (12 U.S.C. 1715y(e)(3)(A))--
(A) by striking "$42,048" and inserting "$185,011";
(B) by striking "$48,481" and inserting "$213,316";
(C) by striking "$58,469" and inserting "$257,263";
(D) by striking "$74,840" and inserting "$329,296";
(E) by striking "$83,375" and inserting "$366,850";
(F) by striking "$44,250" and inserting "$194,700";
(G) by striking "$50,724" and inserting "$223,186";
(H) by striking "$61,680" and inserting "$271,392";
(I) by striking "$79,793" and inserting "$351,089"; and
(J) by striking "$87,588" and inserting "$385,387".
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section may be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to revise the statutory exceptions for high-cost percentage and high-cost areas annual indexing.
(c) Multifamily Loan Limit Study.--The Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall conduct a study to assess the following in comparison to the loan limits prior to the amendments made under this section:
(1) Whether the Commissioner has sufficient authority to increase loan limits for each multifamily mortgage insurance program at appropriate amounts, including to meet market demand.
(2) The impacts that multifamily loan limit increases have had, if any, on--
(A) the General Insurance and Special Risk Insurance Fund;
(B) the change in volume of multifamily purchase and construction lending that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration; and
(C) subject to the availability of data, the year-over-year change over the last 6 years in--
(i) median and average lending costs as well as rent and house prices within the multifamily housing market; and
(ii) multifamily housing supply, including the number of building permits issued as well as housing unit starts and completions.
(d) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration shall submit to Congress a report summarizing the findings of the Commissioner for the study conducted under subsection (b).
SEC. 212. RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
The language under the heading "Rental Assistance Demonstration" in the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-55; 125 Stat.
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673) is amended--
(1) in the second proviso, by striking "until September 30, 2029" and inserting "for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter";
(2) in the fourth proviso, by striking "455,000" and inserting "555,000";
(3) in the twentieth proviso, as so designated before the date of enactment of this Act, by striking "or other means:" and inserting "or other means, including the adoption of a mandatory tenant lease and management plan addendum for a property with assistance converted, if not otherwise covered by another program, under this demonstration:"; and
(4) by striking "vouchers to project-based vouchers." and inserting "vouchers to project-based vouchers: Provided further, That the Secretary shall annually assess and publish findings regarding the impact of the conversion of assistance under the First Component of the demonstration with respect to the preservation and improvement of public housing, the amount of private sector leveraging resulting from such conversion transactions, the prevalence of pre-conversion residents remaining in or returning to the property following conversion, and the effect of such conversion on tenants, including the impact of such conversion on the rights maintained by tenants as enumerated in regulations and other documents conferring rights upon tenants as developed by the Secretary, and other matters the Secretary may determine appropriate: Provided further, That the Secretary may take remediative action or impose civil money penalties or other administrative sanctions for material violations of a requirement under the First and Second Components of this demonstration: Provided further, That nothing in the matter under this heading shall be construed to diminish, impair, or otherwise negatively affect the Rental Assistance Demonstration property rights of owners or rights of tenants, which shall remain enforceable by tenants, as enumerated in current law, regulations, and other agency guidance or notices as it relates to properties converted under the First and Second Components of the Rental Assistance Demonstration Program; Provided further, That any property owned by the public housing agency shall be used to replace, create, preserve, improve, or expand affordable housing supply, including as part of mixed use developments, and no conversion under the Rental Assistance Demonstration shall be used for sporting, private, or for-profit purposes, excluding those which maintain or expand housing supply which may use an affordable housing tax credit or other housing affordability program.".
SEC. 213. BUILD NOW ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered recipient.--The term "covered recipient" means a metropolitan city or urban county, as those terms are defined in section 102 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302), that receives funds under section 106.
(2) Current annual growth rate.--The term "current annual growth rate", with respect to an eligible recipient and a fiscal year, means the average annual percentage increase in the number of housing units in the jurisdiction of the eligible recipient, as calculated by the Secretary, during the period--
(A) beginning with the third quarter of the sixth preceding fiscal year; and
(B) ending with the third quarter of the preceding fiscal year.
(3) Eligible recipient.--The term "eligible recipient" means any covered recipient unless--
(A)(i) the median Small Area Fair Market Rent in the jurisdiction of the covered recipient is at or below the 60th percentile of median Small Area Fair Market Rents in the jurisdictions of all covered recipients; and
(ii) the median home value in the jurisdiction of the covered recipient is below the median home value for the United States;
(B) the annual rental vacancy rate in the jurisdiction of the covered recipient is greater than the national annual rental vacancy rate for the most recent year available, as published by the Bureau of the Census;
(C) during the 3-year period preceding the date on which the Secretary allocates funds under section 106, the jurisdiction of the covered recipient has been the subject of a major disaster or emergency declaration under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170, 5191); or
(D) the covered recipient lacks the legal authority to enact or update zoning and permitting ordinances.
(4) Extremely high-growth recipient.--The term "extremely high-growth recipient" means an eligible recipient for which the current annual growth rate is at or above 4 percent.
(5) Housing growth improvement rate.--The term "housing growth improvement rate", with respect to an eligible recipient and a fiscal year, means the quotient of--
(A)(i) the current annual growth rate of the eligible recipient, minus
(ii) the prior annual growth rate of the eligible recipient; and
(B) the sum obtained by adding the absolute values of the current annual growth rate and the prior annual growth rate of the eligible recipient.
(6) Prior annual growth rate.--The term "prior annual growth rate", with respect to an eligible recipient and a fiscal year, means the average annual percentage increase in the number of housing units in the jurisdiction of the eligible recipient, as calculated by the Secretary, during the period--
(A) beginning with the third quarter of the 11th preceding fiscal year; and
(B) ending with the third quarter of the sixth preceding fiscal year.
(7) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(8) Section 106.--The term "section 106" means section 106 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306).
(b) Adjustments to Community Development Block Grant Allocations.--
(1) In general.--In allocating amounts to an eligible recipient under section 106 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall adjust the allocation based on the housing growth improvement rate of the eligible recipient, in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection.
(2) Adjustments.--
(A) Housing growth improvement rate at or above median; extremely high-growth recipients.--
(i) In general.--If, with respect to a fiscal year for which the allocation under section 106 is being determined, the housing growth improvement rate for an eligible recipient is at or above the median housing growth improvement rate for all eligible recipients other than extremely high-growth recipients, or if an eligible recipient is an extremely high-growth recipient, the Secretary shall allocate to the eligible recipient for that fiscal year, in addition to the amount that would otherwise be allocated to the eligible recipient under section 106, a bonus amount, as determined under clause (ii) of this subparagraph.
(ii) Bonus amount.--For purposes of clause (i), the bonus amount for an eligible recipient for a fiscal year shall be equal to the product of--
(I) the aggregate amount by which allocations to eligible recipients are decreased under subparagraph (B) for that fiscal year; and
(II) the quotient of--
(aa) the difference in the number of housing units, between the third quarter of the second preceding fiscal year and the third quarter of the preceding fiscal year, in the jurisdiction of the eligible recipient, as calculated by the Secretary; and
(bb) the difference in the number of housing units, between the third quarter of the second preceding fiscal year and the third quarter of the preceding fiscal year, in the jurisdictions of all eligible recipients that receive a bonus amount under this paragraph, as calculated by the Secretary.
(B) Housing growth improvement rate below median.--If, with respect to a fiscal year for which the allocation under section
106 is being determined, the housing growth improvement rate for an eligible recipient is below the median housing growth improvement rate for all eligible recipients other than high-growth outliers, the Secretary shall decrease the amount that would otherwise be allocated to the eligible recipient under section 106 for that fiscal year by 10 percent.
(c) Calculation of Housing Units.--
(1) Housing and urban development requirements.--In calculating the number of housing units in the jurisdiction of an eligible recipient under any provision of this section, the Secretary shall--
(A) use the Current Address Count Listing Files and other data products, as needed, of the Bureau of the Census tabulated from the Master Address File; and
(B) make calculations at the block level, using boundaries that reflect the most current boundaries.
(2) Census bureau and postal service requirements.--The Bureau of the Census and the United States Postal Service shall provide any relevant data to the Secretary upon request to assist the Secretary in making a calculation described in paragraph (1).
(3) Adjustment of calculation periods.--The Secretary may adjust the calculation periods under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(2), subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (a)(6), and items (aa) and (bb) of subsection (b)(2)(A)(ii)(II) by not more than 2 months to achieve alignment with the data provided by the Bureau of the Census.
(d) Annual Report on Housing Growth Improvement Rate.--Before allocating funds under section 106 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall publish a report that--
(1) includes the housing growth improvement rate for each eligible recipient; and
(2) lists, for the most recent fiscal year for which allocations were made under section 106--
(A) the eligible recipients that received a bonus amount under subsection (b)(2)(A); and
(B) the eligible recipients for which the allocation under section 106 was decreased under subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section.
(e) Notification; Implementation Dates.--
(1) Notification.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall notify each eligible recipient of the recipient's housing growth improvement rate and whether that housing growth improvement rate is above, at, or below the median housing growth improvement rate for all eligible recipients other than extremely high-growth recipients.
(B) Guidance.--As part of the notification under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall share guidance, including resources developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, on best practices and recommendations for policies to reduce regulatory barriers to housing and increase housing supply.
(2) Implementation dates.--Subsection (b) shall take effect beginning with the third full fiscal year after the date of enactment of this Act and remain in effect through fiscal year 2043.
(3) No effect on previous appropriations.--This section shall not apply to amounts appropriated before the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 301. HOUSING SUPPLY EXPANSION ACT.
(a) In General.--Section 603(6) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402(6)) is amended by striking "on a permanent chassis" and inserting "with or without a permanent chassis".
(b) Standards for Manufactured Homes Built Without a Permanent Chassis.--Section 604(a) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5403(a)) is amended by adding the following:
"(7) Standards for manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the consensus committee, shall issue revised standards for manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis using the process described in paragraph (4).
"(B) Creating final standards.--The Secretary shall, after consulting and conferring with the consensus committee, establish standards to ensure that manufactured homes without a permanent chassis have--
"(i) a distinct label, with revenue generated to be deposited into the Manufactured Housing Fees Trust Fund established under section 620(e)(1), to be issued by the Secretary distinguishing manufactured home built without a permanent chassis from manufactured homes built on a permanent chassis;
"(ii) a data plate, as described in section 3280.5 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation), distinguishing manufactured homes built without a permanent chassis from manufactured homes built on a permanent chassis; and
"(iii) a notation on any invoice produced by the manufacturer of a manufactured home that is distinguishable from the invoice for a manufactured home constructed with a permanent chassis.".
(c) Manufactured Home Certifications.--Section 604 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5403) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(i) Manufactured Home Certifications.--
"(1) In general.--
"(A) Initial certification.--Subject to subparagraph (B), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a State shall submit to the Secretary an initial certification that the laws and regulations of the State--
"(i) treat any manufactured home in parity with a manufactured home (as defined and regulated by the State); and
"(ii) subject a manufactured home without a permanent chassis to the same laws and regulations of the State as a manufactured home built on a permanent chassis, including with respect to financing, title, insurance, manufacture, sale, taxes, transportation, installation, and other areas as the Secretary determines, after consultation with and approval by the consensus committee, are necessary to give effect to the purpose of this section.
"(B) State plan submission.--Any State plan submitted under section 623(b) shall contain the required State certification under subparagraph (A) and, if contained therein, no additional or State certification under subparagraph (A) or paragraph (3).
"(C) Extended deadline.--With respect to a State with a legislature that meets biennially, the deadline for the submission of the initial certification required under subparagraph (A) shall be 2 years after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
"(D) Late certification.--
"(i) No waiver.--The Secretary may not waive the prohibition described in paragraph (5)(B) with respect to a certification submitted after the deadline under subparagraph (A) or paragraph (3) unless the Secretary approves the late certification.
"(ii) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent a State from submitting the initial certification required under subparagraph (A) after the required deadline under that subparagraph.
"(2) Form of state certification not presented in a state plan.--The initial certification required under paragraph (1)(A), if not submitted with a State plan under paragraph (1)(B), shall contain, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, an attestation by an official that the State has taken the steps necessary to ensure the veracity of the certification required under paragraph (1)(A), including, as necessary, by--
"(A) amending the definition of `manufactured home' in the laws and regulations of the State; and
"(B) directing State agencies to amend the definition of `manufactured home' in regulations.
"(3) Annual recertification.--Not later than a date to be determined by the Secretary each year, a State shall submit to the Secretary an additional certification that--
"(A) confirms the accuracy of the initial certification submitted under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1); and
"(B) certifies that any new laws or regulations enacted or adopted by the State since the date of the previous certification do not change the veracity of the initial certification submitted under paragraph (1)(A).
"(4) List.--The Secretary shall publish and maintain in the Federal Register and on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development a list of States that are up to date with the submission of initial and subsequent certifications required under this subsection.
"(5) Prohibition.--
"(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `covered manufactured home' means a home that is--
"(i) not considered a manufactured home under the laws and regulations of a State because the home is constructed without a permanent chassis;
"(ii) considered a manufactured home under the definition of the term in section 603; and
"(iii) constructed after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
"(B) Building, installation, and sale.--If a State does not submit a certification under paragraph (1)(A) or (3) by the date on which those certifications are required to be submitted--
"(i) with respect to a State in which the State administers the installation of manufactured homes, the State shall prohibit the manufacture, installation, or sale of a covered manufactured home within the State; and
"(ii) with respect to a State in which the Secretary administers the installation of manufactured homes, the State and the Secretary shall prohibit the manufacture, installation, or sale of a covered manufactured home within the State.".
(d) Other Federal Laws Regulating Manufactured Homes.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may coordinate with the heads of other Federal agencies to ensure that Federal agencies treat a manufactured home (as defined in Federal laws and regulations other than section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402)) in the same manner as a manufactured home (as defined in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402), as amended by this Act).
(2) Energy efficiency standards.--
(A) Manufactured home defined.--In this paragraph, the term "manufactured home"
has the meaning given the term in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402), as amended by this Act.
(B) Process.--No energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes developed by any Federal agency shall have legal effect unless and until adopted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the consensus standards and regulatory development process described in section 604(a)(2) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5403(a)(2)).
(C) Minimum standards.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall--
(i) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, adopt minimum energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes; and
(ii) not less frequently than once every 3 years after adopting the standards under clause (i), update those standards.
(e) Assistance to States.--Section 609 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5408) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(3) model guidance to support the submission of the certification required under section 604(i).".
(f) Preemption.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section may be construed as limiting the scope of Federal preemption under section 604(d) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5403(d)).
SEC. 302. MODULAR HOUSING PRODUCTION ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Manufactured home.--The term "manufactured home" has the meaning given the term in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402).
(2) Modular home.--The term "modular home" means a home that is constructed in a factory in 1 or more modules, each of which meets applicable State and local building codes of the area in which the home will be located, and that are transported to the home building site, installed on foundations, and completed.
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) FHA Construction Financing Programs.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a review of Federal Housing Administration construction financing programs to identify barriers to the use of modular home methods.
(2) Requirements.--In conducting the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
(A) identify and evaluate regulatory and programmatic features that restrict participation in construction financing programs by modular home developers, including construction draw schedules; and
(B) identify administrative measures authorized under section 525 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1735f-3) to facilitate program utilization by modular home developers.
(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a report that describes the results of the review conducted under paragraph (1), which shall include a description of programmatic and policy changes that the Secretary recommends to reduce or eliminate identified barriers to the use of modular home methods in Federal Housing Administration construction financing programs.
(4) Rulemaking.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 120 days after the date on which the Secretary publishes the report under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall initiate a rulemaking to examine an alternative draw schedule for construction financing loans provided to modular and manufactured home developers, which shall include the ability for interested stakeholders to provide robust public comment.
(B) Determination.--Following the period for public comment under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall--
(i) issue a final rule regarding an alternative draw schedule described in subparagraph (A); or
(ii) provide an explanation as to why the rule shall not become final.
(c) Standardized Uniform Commercial Code for Modular Homes.--The Secretary may award a grant to study the design and feasibility of a standardized uniform commercial code for modular homes, which shall evaluate--
(1) the utility of a standardized coding system for serializing and securing modules, streamlining design and construction, and improving modular home innovation; and
(2) a means to coordinate a standardized code with financing incentives.
SEC. 303. PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT AND MANUFACTURED HOUSING LOAN
MODERNIZATION ACT.
(a) National Housing Act Amendments.--
(1) In general.--Section 2 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
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1703) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by inserting "construction of additional or accessory dwelling units, as defined by the Secretary," after "energy conserving improvements,"; and
(B) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1)--
(I) by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
"(A) $75,000 if made for the purpose of financing alterations, repairs, and improvements upon or in connection with an existing single-family structure, including a manufactured home;";
(II) in subparagraph (B)--
(aa) by striking "$60,000" and inserting "$150,000"; (bb) by striking "$12,000" and inserting "$37,500"; and (cc) by striking "an apartment house or";
(III) by striking subparagraphs (C) and (D) and inserting the following:
"(C)(i) $106,405 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a single-section manufactured home; and
"(ii) $195,322 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a multi-section manufactured home;
"(D)(i) $149,782 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a single-section manufactured home and a suitably developed lot on which to place the home; and
"(ii) $238,699 if made for the purpose of financing the purchase of a multi-section manufactured home and a suitably developed lot on which to place the home;";
(IV) in subparagraph (E)--
(aa) by striking "$23,226" and inserting "$43,377"; and
(bb) by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(V) in subparagraph (F), by striking "and" at the end;
(VI) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(VII) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the following:
"(H) such principal amount as the Secretary may prescribe if made for the purpose of financing the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.";
(ii) in the matter immediately preceding paragraph (2)--
(I) by striking "regulation" and inserting "notice";
(II) by striking "increase" and inserting "set";
(III) by striking "(A)(ii), (C), (D), and (E)" and inserting "(A) through (H)";
(IV) by inserting ", or as necessary to achieve the goals of the Federal Housing Administration, periodically reset the dollar amount limitations in subparagraphs (A) through (H) based on justification and methodology set forth in advance by regulation" before the period at the end; and
(V) by adjusting the margins appropriately;
(iii) in paragraph (3), by striking "exceeds--" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting "exceeds such period of time as determined by the Secretary, not to exceed 30 years.";
(iv) by striking paragraph (9) and inserting the following:
"(9) Annual indexing of certain dollar amount limitations.--The Secretary shall develop or choose 1 or more methods of indexing in order to annually set the loan limits established in paragraph (1), based on data the Secretary determines is appropriate for purposes of this section."; and
(v) in paragraph (11), by striking "lease--" and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting "lease meets the terms and conditions established by the Secretary".
(2) Deadline for development or choice of new index; interim index.--
(A) Deadline for development or choice of new index.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall develop or choose 1 or more methods of indexing as required under section 2(b)(9) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1703(b)(9)), as amended by paragraph (1) of this subsection.
(B) Interim index.--During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on the date on which the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development develops or chooses 1 or more methods of indexing as required under section 2(b)(9) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1703(b)(9)), as amended by paragraph (1) of this subsection, the method of indexing established by the Secretary under such section 2(b)(9) before the date of enactment of this Act shall apply.
(b) HUD Study of Offsite Construction.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Offsite construction housing.--The term "offsite construction housing" includes manufactured homes and modular homes.
(B) Manufactured home.--The term "manufactured home" means any home constructed in accordance with the construction and safety standards established under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq.).
(C) Modular home.--The term "modular home" means a home that is constructed in a factory in 1 or more modules, each of which meets applicable State and local building codes of the area in which the home will be located, and that are transported to the home building site, installed on foundations, and completed.
(2) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on the cost effectiveness of offsite construction housing that includes--
(A) an analysis of the advantages and the impact of centralization in a factory and transportation to a construction site on cost, precision, and materials waste;
(B) the extent to which offsite construction housing meets housing quality standards under the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate, or other standards as the Secretary may prescribe, compared to the extent for site-built homes, for such standards;
(C) the expected replacement and maintenance costs over the first 40 years of life of offsite construction homes compared to those costs for site-built homes; and
(D) opportunities for use beyond single-family housing, such as applications in accessory dwelling units, two- to four-unit housing, and large multifamily housing.
SEC. 304. PRICE ACT.
(a) In General.--Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 105(a) (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "Activities" and inserting "Unless otherwise authorized under section 123, activities"; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 123. PRESERVATION AND REINVESTMENT FOR COMMUNITY
ENHANCEMENT.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Community development financial institution.--The term `community development financial institution' means an institution that has been certified as a community development financial institution (as defined in section 103 of the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4702)) by the Secretary of the Treasury.
"(2) Eligible manufactured housing community.--The term `eligible manufactured housing community' means a manufactured housing community that--
"(A) is affordable to low- and moderate-income persons, as determined by the Secretary, but not more than 120 percent of the area median income; and
"(B)(i) is owned by the residents of the manufactured housing community through a resident-controlled entity such as a resident-owned cooperative; or
"(ii) will be maintained as such a community, and remain affordable for low- and moderate-income persons, to the maximum extent practicable and for the longest period feasible.
"(3) Eligible recipient.--The term `eligible recipient' means--
"(A) an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(B) a unit of general local government;
"(C) a housing authority;
"(D) a resident-owned community;
"(E) a resident-owned cooperative;
"(F) a nonprofit entity with housing expertise or a consortium of such entities;
"(G) a community development financial institution;
"(H) an Indian tribe;
"(I) a tribally designated housing entity;
"(J) the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands;
"(K) a State; or
"(L) any other entity that is--
"(i) an owner-operator of an eligible manufactured housing community; and
"(ii) working with an eligible manufactured housing community.
"(4) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).
"(5) Manufactured housing community.--The term `manufactured housing community' means--
"(A) any community, court, park, or other land under unified ownership developed and accommodating, or equipped to accommodate, the placement of manufactured homes, where--
"(i) spaces within such community are or will be primarily used for residential occupancy;
"(ii) all homes within the community are used for permanent occupancy; and
"(iii) a majority of such occupied spaces within the community are occupied by manufactured homes, which may include homes constructed prior to enactment of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards; or
"(B) any community that meets the definition of manufactured housing community used for programs similar to the program under this section.
"(6) Resident health, safety, and accessibility activities.--The term `resident health, safety, and accessibility activities' means the reconstruction, repair, or replacement of manufactured housing and manufactured housing communities to--
"(A) protect the health and safety of residents;
"(B) address weatherization and reduce utility costs; or
"(C) address accessibility needs for residents with disabilities.
"(7) Tribally designated housing entity.--The term `tribally designated housing entity' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C.
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4103).
"(b) Establishment.--There is authorized a competitive grant program that the Secretary shall, by notice, carry out to make awards utilizing funds appropriated for such purpose to eligible recipients to carry out eligible projects for development of or improvements to eligible manufactured housing communities.
"(c) Eligible Projects.--
"(1) In general.--Amounts from grants under this section may be used for--
"(A) community infrastructure, facilities, utilities, and other land improvements in or serving an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(B) reconstruction or repair of existing housing within an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(C) replacement of homes within an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(D) planning;
"(E) resident health, safety, and accessibility activities in homes in an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(F) land and site acquisition and infrastructure for expansion or construction of an eligible manufactured housing community;
"(G) resident and community services, including relocation assistance, eviction prevention, and down payment assistance; and
"(H) any other activity that--
"(i) is approved by the Secretary consistent with the requirements under this section;
"(ii) improves the overall living conditions of an eligible manufactured housing community, which may include the addition or enhancement of shared spaces such as community centers, recreational areas, or other facilities that support resident well-being and community engagement; and
"(iii) is necessary to protect the health and safety of the residents of the eligible manufactured housing community and the long-term affordability and sustainability of the community.
"(2) Replacement.--For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1), grants under this section--
"(A) may not be used for rehabilitation or modernization of units that were built before June 15, 1976; and
"(B) may only be used for disposition and replacement of units described in subparagraph (A), provided that any replacement housing complies with the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards or is another allowed type of home, as determined by the Secretary.
"(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize applicants that will carry out activities that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents and preserve long-term housing affordability for residents of eligible manufactured housing communities.
"(e) Waivers.--The Secretary may waive or specify alternative requirements for any provision of law or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with use of amounts made available under this section other than requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment, upon a finding that the waiver or alternative requirement is not inconsistent with the overall purposes of this section and that the waiver or alternative requirement is necessary to facilitate the use of amounts made available under this section.
"(f) Implementation.--
"(1) In general.--Any grant made under this section shall be made pursuant to criteria for selection of recipients of such grants that the Secretary shall by regulation establish and publish together with any notification of availability of amounts under this section.
"(2) Set-aside of grant amounts.--The Secretary may set aside amounts provided under this section for grants to Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
"(g) Sunset.--The program established under this section shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this section.".
(b) Application.--Grants made under section 123 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (a), after the date of enactment of this Act shall be carried out using amounts appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 401. CREATING INCENTIVES FOR SMALL-DOLLAR LOAN
ORIGINATORS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term "Director" means the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.
(2) Small-dollar mortgage.--The term "small-dollar mortgage" means a mortgage loan having an original principal obligation of not more than $100,000 that is--
(A) secured by real property designed for 1 to 4 dwelling units; and
(B)(i) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);
(ii) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(iii) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Agriculture; or
(iv) eligible to be purchased or securitized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association.
(b) Requirement Regarding Loan Originator Compensation Practices.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on loan originator compensation practices throughout the residential mortgage market, including the relative frequency of loan originators being compensated--
(1) with a salary;
(2) with a commission reflecting a fixed percentage of the amount of credit extended;
(3) with a commission based on a factor other than a fixed percentage of the amount of credit extended;
(4) with a combination of salary and commission;
(5) on a loan volume basis; and
(6) with a commission reflecting a percentage of the amount of credit extended, for which a minimum or maximum compensation amount is set.
(c) Community Development Financial Institution Loan Originators.--In carrying out the report required under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies that regulate federally backed small-dollar mortgages and in consultation with the Director of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund established under section 104 of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4703), give due consideration to the practices for compensating loan originators that are employed by or originate loans on behalf of community development financial institutions.
(d) Contents.--The report required under subsection (b) shall include--
(1) data and other analyses regarding the effect of the approaches to loan originator compensation described in subsection (b) on the availability of small-dollar mortgage loans; and
(2) an analysis and a discussion regarding potential barriers to small-dollar mortgage lending.
SEC. 402. SMALL-DOLLAR MORTGAGE POINTS AND FEES.
(a) Small-dollar Mortgage Defined.--In this section, the term "small-dollar mortgage" means a mortgage with an original principal obligation of less than $100,000.
(b) Amendments.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, shall evaluate the impact of the thresholds under section 1026.43 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), on small-dollar mortgage originations.
SEC. 403. APPRAISAL INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT ACT.
(a) Appraisal Standards.--
(1) Certification or licensing.--
(A) In general.--Section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)) is amended--
(i) by moving the paragraph two ems to the left; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:
"(A) be certified or licensed by the State in which the property to be appraised is located, except that a Federal employee who has as their primary duty conducting appraisal-related activities and who chooses to become a State-licensed or certified real estate appraiser need only to be licensed or certified in 1 State or territory to perform appraisals on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration in all States and territories;
"(B) meet the requirements under the competency rule set forth in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice before accepting an assignment; and
"(C) have demonstrated verifiable education in the appraisal requirements established by the Federal Housing Administration under this subsection, which shall include the completion of a course or seminar that educates appraisers on those appraisal requirements, which shall be provided by--
"(i) the Federal Housing Administration; or
"(ii) a third party, if the course is approved by the Secretary or a State appraiser certifying or licensing agency.".
(B) Application.--Subparagraph (C) of section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as added by subparagraph (A), shall not apply with respect to any certified appraiser approved by the Federal Housing Administration to conduct appraisals on property securing a mortgage to be insured by the Federal Housing Administration on or before the effective date described in paragraph (3)(C).
(2) Compliance with verifiable education and competency requirements.--On and after the effective date described in paragraph (3)(C), no appraiser may conduct an appraisal on a property securing a mortgage to be insured by the Federal Housing Administration unless--
(A) the appraiser is in compliance with the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as amended by paragraph (1); and
(B) if the appraiser was not approved by the Federal Housing Administration to conduct appraisals on mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration before the date on which the mortgagee letter or guidance takes effect under paragraph (3)(C), the appraiser is in compliance with subparagraph (C) of such section 202(g)(5).
(3) Implementation.--Not later than the 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue a mortgagee letter or guidance that--
(A) implements the amendments made by paragraph (1);
(B) clearly sets forth all of the specific requirements under section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as amended by paragraph (1), for approval to conduct appraisals on property secured by a mortgage to be insured by the Federal Housing Administration, which shall include--
(i) providing that, before the effective date of the mortgagee letter or guidance, compliance with the requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of such section 202(g)(5), as amended by paragraph (1), shall be considered to fulfill the requirements under such subparagraphs; and
(ii) providing a method for appraisers to demonstrate such prior compliance; and
(C) takes effect not later than the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary issues the mortgagee letter or guidance.
(b) Annual Registry Fees for Appraisal Management Companies.--Section 1109(a) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3338(a)) is amended, in the matter following clause (ii) of paragraph (4)(B), by adding at the end the following: "Subject to the approval of the Council, the Appraisal Subcommittee may adjust fees established under clause (i) or (ii) to carry out its functions under this Act.".
(c) State Credentialed Trainees.--
(1) Maintenance on national registry.--Section 1103(a) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C.
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3332(a)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by inserting "and State credentialed trainee appraisers" after "licensed appraisers"; and
(ii) by striking "and" at the end;
(B) by striking paragraph (4);
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (5) and (6) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and
(D) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking "year. The report shall also detail" and inserting "year, detailing";
(ii) by striking "provide" and inserting "provides"; and
(iii) by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and".
(2) Annual registry fees.--
(A) In general.--Section 1109 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3338) is amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking "certified or licensed" and inserting ", certified, licensed, and credentialed trainee"; and
(ii) in subsection (a)--
(I) in paragraph (1), by inserting ", and in the case of a State with a supervisory or trainee program, a roster listing individuals who have received a State trainee credential" after "this title"; and
(II) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
"(2) transmit reports on the issuance and renewal of licenses, certifications, credentials, sanctions, and disciplinary actions, including license, credential, and certification revocations, on a timely basis to the national registry of the Appraisal Subcommittee;".
(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in the amendments made by subparagraph (A) shall require a State to establish or operate a program for State credentialed trainee appraisers, as defined in paragraph (12) of section 1121 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, as added by paragraph (4) of this subsection.
(3) Transactions requiring the services of a state certified appraiser.--Section 1113 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3342) is amended--
(A) by striking "In determining" and inserting "(a) In General.--In determining"; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
"(b) Use of State Credentialed Trainee Appraisers.--In performing an appraisal under this section, a State certified appraiser may use the assistance of a State credentialed trainee appraiser or an unlicensed trainee appraiser, except that the State certified appraiser assisted by a trainee shall be liable for appraisal and valuation work.".
(4) Definition.--Section 1121 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3350) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(12) State credentialed trainee appraiser.--The term `State credentialed trainee appraiser' means an individual who--
"(A) meets the minimum criteria established by the Appraiser Qualification Board for a trainee appraiser credential; and
"(B) is credentialed by a State appraiser certifying and licensing agency.".
(d) Grants for Workforce and Training.--Section 1109(b) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3338(b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5)(B), by striking "and" at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(7) to make grants to State appraiser certifying and licensing agencies and post-secondary institutions, including trade and polytechnic schools, to support the carrying out of education and training activities or other activities related to addressing appraiser industry workforce needs, including recruiting and retaining workforce talent, such as through scholarship assistance and career pipeline development, and such agencies shall report on the use of funds and outcomes.".
(e) Appraisal Subcommittee.--Section 1011 of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3310) is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting "the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Housing and Urban Development," after "Financial Protection,".
SEC. 404. HELPING MORE FAMILIES SAVE ACT.
Section 23 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437u) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(p) Escrow Expansion Pilot Program.--
"(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
"(A) Covered family.--The term `covered family' means a family that receives assistance under section 8 or 9 of this Act and is enrolled in the Pilot Program.
"(B) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an entity described in subsection (c)(2).
"(C) Pilot program.--The term `Pilot Program' means the Pilot Program established under paragraph (2).
"(D) Welfare assistance.--The term `welfare assistance' has the meaning given the term in section 984.103 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
"(2) Establishment.--The Secretary may establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall select not more than 25 eligible entities to establish and manage escrow accounts for not more than 5,000 covered families, in accordance with this subsection.
"(3) Escrow accounts.--
"(A) In general.--An eligible entity selected to participate in the Pilot Program--
"(i) shall establish an interest-bearing escrow account and place into the account an amount equal to any increase in the amount of rent paid by each covered family in accordance with the provisions of section 3, 8(o), or 8(y), as applicable, that is attributable to increases in earned income by the covered families during the participation of each covered family in the Pilot Program; and
"(ii) notwithstanding any other provision of law, may use funds it controls under section 8 or 9 for purposes of making the escrow deposit for covered families assisted under, or residing in units assisted under, section 8 or 9, respectively, provided such funds are offset by the increase in the amount of rent paid by the covered family.
"(B) Income limitation.--An eligible entity may not escrow any amounts for any covered family whose adjusted income exceeds 80 percent of the area median income at the time of enrollment.
"(C) Withdrawals.--A covered family may withdraw funds, including interest earned, from an escrow account established by an eligible entity under the Pilot Program--
"(i) after the covered family ceases to receive welfare assistance; and
"(ii)(I) not earlier than the date that is 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account under this subsection;
"(II) not later than the date that is 7 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account under this subsection, if the covered family chooses to continue to participate in the Pilot Program after the date that is 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account;
"(III) on the date the covered family ceases to receive housing assistance under section 8 or 9, if such date is earlier than 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account;
"(IV) earlier than 5 years after the date on which the eligible entity establishes the escrow account, if the covered family is using the funds to advance a self-sufficiency goal as approved by the eligible entity;
"(V) for any reason listed under section 984.303(k) of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations; or
"(VI) under other circumstances in which the Secretary determines an exemption for good cause is warranted.
"(D) Interim recertification.--For purposes of the Pilot Program, a covered family may recertify the income of the covered family multiple times per year at the request of the participating family, as determined by the Secretary, and not less frequently than once per year, unless the eligible entity has established an alternative rent structure with approval from the Secretary.
"(E) Contract or plan.--A covered family is not required to complete a standard contract of participation or an individual training and services plan in order to participate in the Pilot Program.
"(4) Effect of increases in family income.--Any increase in the earned income of a covered family during the enrollment of the family in the Pilot Program may not be considered as income or a resource for purposes of eligibility of the family for other benefits, or amount of benefits payable to the family, under any program administered by the Secretary.
"(5) Application.--
"(A) In general.--An eligible entity seeking to participate in the Pilot Program shall submit to the Secretary an application--
"(i) at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require by notice; and
"(ii) that includes the number of proposed covered families to be served by the eligible entity under this subsection.
"(B) Geographic and entity variety.--The Secretary shall ensure that eligible entities selected to participate in the Pilot Program--
"(i) are located across various States and in both urban and rural areas; and
"(ii) vary by size and type, including both public housing agencies and private owners of projects receiving project-based rental assistance under section 8.
"(6) Notification and opt-out.--An eligible entity participating in the Pilot Program shall--
"(A) notify covered families of their enrollment in the Pilot Program;
"(B) provide covered families with a detailed description of the Pilot Program, including how the Pilot Program will impact their rent and finances;
"(C) inform covered families that the families cannot simultaneously participate in the Pilot Program and the Family Self-Sufficiency program under this section; and
"(D) provide covered families with the ability to elect not to participate in the Pilot Program--
"(i) not less than 2 weeks before the date on which the escrow account is established under paragraph (3); and
"(ii) at any point during the duration of the Pilot Program.
"(7) Maximum rents.--During the term of participation by a covered family in the Pilot Program, the amount of rent paid by the covered family shall be calculated under the rental provisions of section 3 or 8(o), as applicable.
"(8) Pilot program timeline.--
"(A) Awards.--Not later than 1 year after establishing the Pilot Program, the Secretary shall select the eligible entities to participate in the Pilot Program.
"(B) Establishment and term of accounts.--An eligible entity selected to participate in the Pilot Program shall--
"(i) not later than 6 months after selection, establish escrow accounts under paragraph (3) for covered families; and
"(ii) maintain those escrow accounts for not less than 5 years, or until a determination is made for termination with FSS escrow disbursement under section 984.303(k) of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or until the date the family ceases to receive assistance under section 8 or 9, and, at the discretion of the covered family, not more than 7 years after the date on which the escrow account is established.
"(9) Nonparticipation and housing assistance.--
"(A) In general.--Assistance under section 8 or 9 for a family that elects not to participate in the Pilot Program shall not be delayed or denied by reason of such election.
"(B) No termination.--Housing assistance may not be terminated as a consequence of participating, or not participating, in the Pilot Program under this subsection for any period.
"(10) Study.--Not later than 10 years after the date the Secretary selects eligible entities to participate in the Pilot Program under this subsection, the Secretary shall, if awards were made, conduct a study and submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on outcomes for covered families under the Pilot Program, which shall evaluate the effectiveness of the Pilot Program in assisting families to achieve economic independence
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and self-sufficiency, and the impact coaching and supportive services, or the lack thereof, had on individual incomes.
"(11) Waivers.--To allow selected eligible entities to effectively administer the Pilot Program and make the required escrow account deposits under this subsection, the Secretary may waive requirements under this section.
"(12) Termination.--The Pilot Program under this subsection shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this subsection.
"(13) Eligible uses of appropriations.--Subject to the appropriation of funds, the Secretary may use funds--
"(A) for technical assistance related to implementation of the Pilot Program; and
"(B) to carry out an evaluation of the Pilot Program under paragraph (10).".
SEC. 405. CHOICE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACT.
(a) Satisfaction of Inspection Requirements Through Participation in Other Housing Programs.--Section 8(o)(8) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(I) Satisfaction of inspection requirements through participation in other housing programs.--
"(i) Low-income housing tax credit-financed buildings.--A dwelling unit shall be deemed to meet the inspection requirements under this paragraph if--
"(I) the dwelling unit is in a building, the acquisition, rehabilitation, or construction of which was done by a building owner who may be eligible for low-income housing credits because the building had been allocated a
housing credit dollar amount under section 42(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or is described in section 42(h)(4) of such Code (concerning buildings that meet a criterion for a certain amount of tax-exempt financing);
"(II) the dwelling unit, during the preceding 12-month period, was physically inspected and satisfied the suitability-for-occupancy requirement in section 42(i)(3)(B)(ii) of such Code; and
"(III) the applicable public housing agency performed the inspection itself or is able to obtain the results of the inspection described in subclause (II).
"(ii) Home investment partnerships program.--A dwelling shall be deemed to meet the inspection requirements under this paragraph if--
"(I) the dwelling unit is assisted under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.);
"(II) the dwelling unit was physically inspected and passed inspection as part of the program described in subclause (I) during the preceding 12-month period; and
"(III) the applicable public housing agency is able to obtain the results of the inspection described in subclause (II).
"(iii) Rural housing service.--A dwelling unit shall be deemed to meet the inspection requirements under this paragraph if--
"(I) the dwelling unit is assisted by the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture;
"(II) the dwelling unit was physically inspected and passed inspection in connection with the assistance described in subclause (I) during the preceding 12-month period; and
"(III) the applicable public housing agency is able to obtain the results of the inspection described in subclause (II).
"(iv) Remote or video inspections.--When complying with inspection requirements for a housing unit located in a rural or small area using assistance under this section, the Secretary may allow a grantee to conduct a remote or video inspection of a unit if the remote or video inspection--
"(I) is thorough;
"(II) does not misrepresent the condition of the unit; and
"(III) provides the information necessary to fully and accurately evaluate the conditions of the unit to ensure that the unit meets the relevant standards.
"(v) Rule of construction.--Nothing in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) shall be construed to affect the operation of a housing program described in, or authorized under a provision of law described in, that clause.".
(b) Pre-approval of Units.--Section 8(o)(8)(A) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(8)(A)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(iv) Initial inspection prior to lease agreement.--
"(I) Definition.--In this clause, the term `new landlord' means an owner of a dwelling unit who has not previously entered into a housing assistance payment contract with a public housing agency under this subsection for any dwelling unit.
"(II) Early inspection.--Upon the request of a new landlord, a public housing agency may inspect the dwelling unit owned by the new landlord to determine whether the unit meets the housing quality standards under subparagraph (B) before the unit is selected by a tenant assisted under this subsection.
"(III) Effect.--An inspection conducted under subclause (II) that determines that the dwelling unit meets the housing quality standards under subparagraph (B) shall satisfy this subparagraph and subparagraph (C) if the new landlord enters into a lease agreement with a tenant assisted under this subsection not later than 60 days after the date of the inspection.
"(IV) Information when family is selected.--When a public housing agency selects a family to participate in the tenant-based assistance program under this subsection, the public housing agency shall include in the information provided to the family a list of dwelling units that have been inspected under subclause (II) and determined to meet the housing quality standards under subparagraph (B).".
SEC. 501. HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS REAUTHORIZATION AND
REFORM ACT.
(a) Authorization.--Section 205 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12724) is amended to read as follows:
"SEC. 205. AUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAM.
"The HOME Investment Partnerships Program under subtitle A is hereby authorized.".
(b) Definition of Community Housing Development Organization.--Section 104(6)(B) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704(6)(B)) is amended by striking "significant".
(c) Assistance for Low-income Families.--Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 214(2) (42 U.S.C. 12742(2)), by striking "households that qualify as low-income families" and inserting "families with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area, as determined by the Secretary"; and
(2) in section 271(c) (42 U.S.C. 12821(c))--
(A) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "low-income" and inserting "families with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families"; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking "low-income families" and inserting "families with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families".
(d) Choices Made by Participating Jurisdictions.--Section 212(a)(2) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
"(2) Limitation.--The Secretary may not restrict the choice by a participating jurisdiction of rehabilitation, substantial rehabilitation, new construction, reconstruction, acquisition, or other eligible housing uses authorized in paragraph (1) unless the restriction is explicitly authorized under section 223(2).".
(e) Use of Amounts by Certain Jurisdictions for Infrastructure Improvements.--
(1) In general.--Section 212(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
"(4) Infrastructure improvements in nonentitlement areas.--
"(A) In general.--A participating jurisdiction may use funds provided under this subtitle for infrastructure improvements, including the installation or repair of water and sewer lines, sidewalks, roads, and utility connections if--
"(i) such participating jurisdiction does not receive assistance under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5310); and
"(ii) such improvements are directly related to, and located within or immediately adjacent to--
"(I) housing assisted under this subtitle; or
"(II) housing assisted under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
"(B) Application of labor standards.--The labor standards and requirements set forth in section 110 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5310) shall apply to any infrastructure improvement conducted using funds provided under this subtitle.
"(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to impose any requirements of the HOME Investment Partnerships program on housing that benefits from an infrastructure improvement conducted using funds provided under this subtitle but was not otherwise assisted under the HOME Investment Partnerships program.".
(2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue rules to carry out the amendment made by paragraph (1).
(f) Per Unit Investment Limitations.--Section 212(e)(1) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12742(e)(1)) is amended by striking the second sentence.
(g) Affordable Rental Housing Qualifications.--Section 215(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12745(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(7) Qualification exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A), a rental unit shall be considered to qualify as affordable housing under this title if--
"(A) the unit is occupied by a tenant receiving tenant-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f);
"(B) the contribution of the tenant toward rent does not exceed the amount permitted under the assistance described in subparagraph (A); and
"(C) the total rent for the unit does not exceed the amount approved by the public housing agency administering the assistance described in subparagraph (A).".
(h) Affordable Home-ownership Housing Qualifications.--Section 215 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
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12745) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly; and
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(D) by striking "Housing that is for home-ownership" and inserting the following:
"(1) Qualification.--Housing that is for home-ownership";
(E) in paragraph (1), as so designated--
(i) in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated--
(I) by striking "95 percent" and inserting "110 percent"; and
(II) by inserting "(defined as the amount borrowed by the homebuyer to purchase the home, or the estimated value after rehabilitation, which may be adjusted to account for the limits on future value imposed by the resale restriction)" after "purchase price";
(ii) in subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking "whose family qualifies as a low-income family" and inserting "with a family income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families";
(iii) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated--
(I) in clause (i)(II)--
(aa) by striking "low-income home-buyers" and inserting "home-buyers with a household income that does not exceed 100 percent of the median family income of the area, as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families"; and
(bb) by striking "or" at the end;
(II) in clause (ii), by striking "and" at the end and inserting "or"; and
(III) by adding at the end the following:
"(iii) maintain long-term affordability through a shared equity ownership model, a community land trust, a limited equity cooperative, a community development corporation, or other mechanism approved by the Secretary, that preserves affordability for future eligible home-buyers and ensures compliance with the purposes of this title, including through the use of purchase options, rights of first refusal, or other preemptive rights to purchase housing;";
(iv) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(v) by adding at the end the following:
"(E) is subject to restrictions that are established by the participating jurisdiction and determined by the Secretary to be appropriate, including with respect to the useful life of the property, to--
"(i) require that any subsequent purchase of the property be--
"(I) only by a person who meets the qualifications specified under subparagraph (B); and
"(II) at a price that is determined by a formula or method established by the participating jurisdiction that provides the owner with a reasonable return on investment, which may include a percentage of the cost of any improvements; or
"(ii) recapture the investment provided under this title in order to assist other persons in accordance with the requirements of this title, except where there are no net proceeds or where the net proceeds are insufficient to repay the full amount of the assistance."; and
(F) by adding at the end the following:
"(2) Purchase by community land trust or cooperative housing corporation.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (C)(i) of paragraph (1) and under terms determined by the Secretary, the Secretary may permit a participating jurisdiction to allow a community land trust, housing cooperative, or a community development corporation that used assistance provided under this subtitle for the development of housing that meets the criteria under paragraph (1), to acquire the housing--
"(A) in accordance with the terms of the preemptive purchase option, lease, covenant on the land, or other similar legal instrument of the community land trust or housing cooperative when the terms and rights in the preemptive purchase option, lease, covenant, or legal instrument are and remain subject to the requirements of this title;
"(B) when the purchase is for--
"(i) the purpose of--
"(I) entering into the chain of title;
"(II) enabling a purchase by a person who meets the qualifications specified under paragraph (1)(B) and is on a waitlist maintained by the community land trust or housing cooperative, subject to enforcement by the participating jurisdiction of all applicable requirements of this title, as determined by the Secretary;
"(III) performing necessary rehabilitation and improvements; or
"(IV) adding a subsidy to preserve affordability, which may be from Federal or non-Federal sources; or
"(ii) another purpose determined appropriate by the Secretary; and
"(C) if, within a reasonable period of time after the applicable purpose under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph is fulfilled, as determined by the Secretary, the housing is then sold to a person who meets the qualifications specified under paragraph (1)(B)."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(c) Qualification Exceptions for Home-ownership.--
"(1) Military members.--A participating jurisdiction, in accordance with terms established by the Secretary, may suspend or waive the income qualifications described in subsection (b)(1)(B) with respect to housing that otherwise meets the criteria described in subsection (b)(1) if the owner of the housing--
"(A) is a member of a regular component of the armed forces or a member of the National Guard on full-time National Guard duty, active Guard and Reserve duty, or inactive-duty training (as those terms are defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code); and
"(B) has received--
"(i) temporary duty orders to deploy with a military unit or military orders to deploy as an individual acting in support of a military operation, to a location that is not within a reasonable distance from the housing, as determined by the Secretary, for a period of not less than 90 days; or
"(ii) orders for a permanent change of station.
"(2) Heirs and beneficiaries of deceased owners.--Housing that meets the criteria described in subsection (b)(1)(C) prior to the death of an owner of such housing shall continue to qualify as affordable housing under this title if--
"(A) the housing is the principal residence of an heir or beneficiary of the deceased owner, as defined by the Secretary; and
"(B) the heir or beneficiary, in accordance with terms established by the Secretary, assumes the duties and obligations of the deceased owner with respect to funds provided under this title.".
(i) Elimination of Expiration of Right to Draw Home Investment Trust Funds.--Section 218 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12748) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (g); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (g).
(j) Adjusted Recapture and Reuse of Set-aside for Community Housing Developmental Organizations.--Section 231(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12771(b)) is amended to read as follows:
"(b) Recapture and Reuse.--If any funds reserved under subsection (a) remain uninvested for a period of 24 months, the Secretary shall make such funds available to the participating jurisdiction for any eligible activities under this title without regard to whether a community housing development organization materially participates in the use of such funds.".
(k) Asset Recycling Information Dissemination Expansion.--Section 245(b)(2) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12785(b)(2)) is amended by striking "95 percent" and inserting "110 percent".
(l) Environmental Review Requirements.--
(1) In general.--Section 288 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12838) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(e) Categorical Exemptions.--The following categories of activities carried out under this title shall be statutorily exempt from environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and shall not require further review under such Act:
"(1) New construction infill housing projects.
"(2) Acquisition of real property for affordable housing purposes.
"(3) Rehabilitation projects carried out pursuant to section 212(a)(1).
"(4) New construction projects of 15 units or less.
"(f) Removing Duplicative Reviews.--
"(1) In general.--To the extent practicable and permitted by law, the Secretary shall ensure that a project that has undergone an environmental review under this section shall not be subject to a duplicative environmental review solely due to the addition, substitution, or reallocation of other sources of Federal assistance, if the scope, scale, and location of the project remain substantially unchanged.
"(2) Coordination of environmental review responsibilities.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, provide for coordination of environmental review responsibilities with other Federal agencies to streamline interagency compliance and avoid unnecessary duplication of effort under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and other applicable laws.
"(3) Recognition of prior reviews by responsible entities.--A project may not be subject to an environmental review under this section if a substantially similar review has already been completed by an entity designated under section 104(g)(1) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(g)(1)) or by another entity the Secretary determines to have equivalent authority, if the scope, scale, and location of the project remain substantially unchanged.".
(2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such rules as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out the amendment made by this subsection.
(3) Applicability.--Any activity generated under this subsection would be subject to an authorization of appropriations.
(4) Definition.--Section 104 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704) is amended by striking paragraph (25) and inserting the following:
"(25) The term `infill housing project' means a residential housing project that--
"(A) is located within the geographic limits of a municipality;
"(B) is adequately served by existing utilities and public services as required under applicable law;
"(C) is located on a site of previously disturbed land of not more than 5 acres; and
"(D) is substantially surrounded by residential or commercial development, as determined by the Secretary.".
(m) Application of Build America, Buy America Requirements for Home Investment Partnerships Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this subsection referred to as the "Secretary") shall complete a review of the implementation of the Build America, Buy America Act (title IV of division G of Public Law 117-58; 42 U.S.C. 8301 note) with respect
to the activities assisted under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.).
(2) Updated guidance.--Not later than 90 days after the review described in subsection (a) is completed, the Secretary shall issue updated guidance to clarify the application of the Build America, Buy America Act (title IV of division G of Public Law 117-58; 42 U.S.C. 8301 note) with respect to the activities assisted under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
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12721 et seq.).
(3) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a report that describes--
(A) the results of the review required under subsection (a); and
(B) the guidance issued as described in subsection (b).
(n) Application of Other Specified Statutory Requirements.--Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 291. NONAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR
SMALL PROJECTS.
"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the requirements of section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u), and any implementing regulations or guidance, shall not apply to an activity assisted under this title that involves rehabilitation, construction, or other development of housing if--
"(1) the recipient of assistance under this title is--
"(A) a State recipient pursuant to section 216; or
"(B) a participating jurisdiction that received a total allocation of less than $3,000,000 in the most recent fiscal year pursuant to section 216; and
"(2) the total number of dwelling units assisted as a part of such activity is not more than 50.".
(o) Reallocation Not Available for Certain Jurisdictions.--Section 217(d) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12747(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: "Subject to paragraph (4), jurisdictions eligible for such reallocations shall include participating jurisdictions and jurisdictions meeting the requirements of this title, including the requirements in paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) of section 216."; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
"(4) Reallocation not available for certain jurisdictions.--The Secretary may decline to make a reallocation available to a jurisdiction eligible for such reallocation if such jurisdiction has failed to meet or comply with any requirement under this title.".
(p) Amendments to Qualification as Affordable Housing.--Section 215(a)(1)(E) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12745(a)) is amended by striking "except upon a foreclosure by a lender (or upon other transfer in lieu of foreclosure) if such action (i) recognizes any contractual or legal rights of public agencies, nonprofit sponsors, or others to take actions that would avoid termination of low-income affordability in the case of foreclosure or transfer in lieu of foreclosure, and (ii) is not for the purpose of avoiding low-income affordability restrictions, as determined by the Secretary; and" and inserting the following: "except--
"(i) upon a foreclosure by a lender (or upon other transfer in lieu of foreclosure) if such action--
"(I) recognizes any contractual or legal rights of public agencies, nonprofit sponsors, or others to take actions that would avoid termination of low-income affordability in the case of foreclosure or transfer in lieu of foreclosure; and
"(II) is not for the purpose of avoiding low-income affordability restrictions, as determined by the Secretary; or
"(ii) where existing affordable housing is no longer financially viable due to unforeseen acts or occurrences beyond the reasonable contemplation or control of the participating jurisdiction in which the affordable housing is located or the owner of the affordable housing that significantly impact the financial or physical condition of the affordable housing, as determined by the Secretary; and".
(q) Tenant and Participant Protections for Affordable Housing.--Section 225 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12755) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(e) Exception.--Paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of subsection (d) shall not apply to housing under this section that meets the following criteria:
"(1) The housing is affordable housing with not more than 4 dwelling units, each of which is made available for rental.
"(2) Each dwelling unit in the housing bears rent in an amount that complies with the requirements described in paragraph (1)(A).
"(3) Each dwelling unit in the housing is accompanied by a low-income family.
"(4) No dwelling in the housing is refused for leasing to a holder of a voucher under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) because of the status of the prospective tenant as a holder of that voucher.
"(5) The housing complies with the requirement described in paragraph (1)(E).
"(6) The participating jurisdiction in which the housing is located monitors the compliance of the housing with the requirements of this title in a manner consistent with the purposes of section 226(b), as determined by the Secretary.".
(r) Revision of Definition of Community Land Trust.--Section 104 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704), as amended by subsection (l)(4), is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(26) The term `community land trust' means a nonprofit entity, a State, a unit of local government, or an instrumentality of a State or unit of local government that--
"(A) is not managed by, or an affiliate of, a for profit organization;
"(B) has as a primary purpose of acquiring, developing, or holding land to provide housing that is permanently affordable to low- and moderate-income persons;
"(C) monitors properties to ensure affordability is preserved;
"(D) provides housing that is permanently affordable to low- and moderate-income persons using a ground lease, deed covenant, or other similar legally enforceable measure, determined acceptable by the Secretary, that--
"(i) keeps housing affordable to low- and moderate-income persons for not less than 30 years; and
"(ii) enables low- and moderate-income persons to rent or purchase the housing for home-ownership; and
"(E) maintains preemptive purchase options to purchase the property if such purchase would allow the housing to remain affordable to low-and moderate-income persons.".
(s) Set-aside for Community Housing Development Organizations.--Section 231(a) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12771(a)) is amended, in the first sentence, by striking "to be developed, sponsored, or owned by community housing development organizations" and inserting "when a community housing development organization materially participates in the ownership or development of that housing, as determined by the Secretary".
(t) Administrative Reforms.--
(1) Increase in program administration resources.--Section 220(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12750(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking paragraph (2);
(B) by striking "Recognition.--" and all that follows through "A contribution" and inserting "Recognition.--A contribution"; and
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly.
(2) Modification of jurisdictions eligible for reallocations.--Section 217(d)(3) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12747(d)(3)) is amended--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking "Limitation" and inserting "Limitations"; and
(B) by striking "Unless otherwise specified" and inserting the following:
"(A) Removal of participating jurisdictions from reallocation.--The Secretary may, upon a finding that the participating jurisdiction has failed to meet or comply with the requirements of this title, remove a participating jurisdiction from participation in reallocations of funds made available under this title.
"(B) Reallocation to same type of entity.--Unless otherwise specified".
(3) Home property inspections.--Section 226(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12756(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking "Each participating jurisdiction" and inserting the following:
"(1) In general.--Each participating jurisdiction"; and
(B) by striking "Such review shall include" and all that follows and inserting the following:
"(2) Onsite inspections.--
"(A) Inspections by units of general local government.--A review conducted under paragraph (1) by a participating jurisdiction that is a unit of general local government shall include an onsite inspection to determine compliance with housing codes and other applicable regulations.
"(B) Inspections by states.--A review conducted under paragraph (1) by a participating jurisdiction that is a State shall include an onsite inspection to determine compliance with a national standard as determined by the Secretary.
"(3) Inclusion in performance report and publication.--A participating jurisdiction shall include in the performance report of the participating jurisdiction submitted to the Secretary under section 108(a), and make available to the public, the results of each review conducted under paragraph (1).".
(4) Revisions to strengthen enforcement and penalties for noncompliance.--Section 223 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12753) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking "penalties for misuse of funds" and inserting "program enforcement and penalties for noncompliance";
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting after "any provision of this subtitle" the following: ", including any provision applicable throughout the period required by section 215(a)(1)(E) and applicable regulations,";
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking "or" at the end;
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; or"; and
(E) by adding at the end the following:
"(4) reduce payments to the participating jurisdiction under this subtitle by an amount equal to the amount of such payments that were not expended by the participating jurisdiction in accordance with this title.".
(u) Minimum Allocations.--Section 217(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12747 (b)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking "$500,000" each place that term appears and inserting "$750,000";
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking "jurisdictions that are allocated an amount of $500,000 or more" and inserting "jurisdictions that are allocated an amount of $750,000 or more";
(B) by striking "that are allocated an amount less than $500,000" and inserting "that are allocated an amount less than $500,000 before the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act or less than $750,000 on or after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act"; and
(C) by striking ", except as provided in paragraph (4)"; and
(3) by striking paragraph (4).
(v) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by striking "Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act" each place that term appears and inserting "McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act";
(2) by striking "Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs" each place that term appears and inserting "Committee on Financial Services";
(3) in the table of contents in section 1(b) (Public Law 101-625; 104 Stat. 4079)--
(A) by striking the item relating to section 205 and inserting the following:
"Sec. 205. Authorization of program."; (B) by striking the item relating to section 223 and inserting the following:
"Sec. 223. Program enforcement and penalties for noncompliance."; and (C) by inserting after the item relating to section 290 the following:
"Sec. 291. Nonapplicability of certain requirements for small projects."; (4) in section 104 (42 U.S.C.
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12704)--(A) by redesignating paragraph (23) (relating to the definition of the term "to demonstrate to the Secretary") as paragraph (22); and (B) by redesignating paragraph (24) (relating to the definition of the term "insular area", as added by section 2(2) of Public Law 102-230) as paragraph (23); (5) in section 105(b)(8) (42 U.S.C. 12705(b)(8)), by striking "subparagraphs" and inserting "paragraphs"; (6) in section 108(a)(1) (42 U.S.C. 12708(a)(1)), by striking "section 105(b)(15)" and inserting "section 105(b)(18)"; (7) in section 212 (42 U.S.C. 12742)--(A) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii), by inserting "United States" before "Housing Act"; (B) in subsection (d)(5), by inserting "United States" before "Housing Act"; and (C) in subsection (e)(1)--(i) by striking "section 221(d)(3)(ii)" and inserting "section 221(d)(4)"; and (ii) by striking "not to exceed 140 percent" and inserting "as determined by the Secretary"; (8) in section 215(a)(6)(B) (42 U.S.C. 12745(a)(6)(B)), by striking "grand children" and inserting "grandchildren"; (9) in section 217 (42 U.S.C. 12747)--(A) in subsection (a)--(i) in paragraph (1), by striking "(3)" and inserting "(2)"; (ii) by striking paragraph (3), as added by section 211(a)(2)(D) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-550; 106 Stat. 3756); and (iii) by redesignating the remaining paragraph (3), as added by the matter under the heading "home investment partnerships program" under the heading "Housing Programs" in title II of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 (Public Law 102-389; 106 Stat. 1581), as paragraph (2); and (B) in subsection (b)(1)--(i) in subparagraph (A), in the first sentence--
(I) by striking "in regulation" and inserting ", by regulation,"; and
(II) by striking "eligible jurisdiction" and inserting "eligible jurisdictions"; and
(ii) in subparagraph (F), in the first sentence--
(I) in clause (i), by striking "Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs" and inserting "Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development"; and
(II) in clause (ii), by striking "Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development of the Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs" and inserting "Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the Committee on Financial Services";
(10) in section 220(c) (42 U.S.C. 12750(c))--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking "Secretary" and all that follows and inserting "Secretary;";
(B) in paragraph (4), by striking "under this title" and all that follows and inserting "under this title;"; and
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (6), (7), and (8) as paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively;
(11) in section 225(d)(4)(B) (42 U.S.C. 12755(d)(4)(B)), by striking "for" the first place that term appears; and
(12) in section 233 (42 U.S.C. 12773)--
(A) in subsection (b)(6), by striking "to community land trusts (as such term is defined in subsection (f))" and inserting "to community land trusts (as such term is defined in section 104)"; and
(B) by striking subsection (f).
SEC. 502. RURAL HOUSING SERVICE REFORM ACT.
(a) Application of Multifamily Mortgage Foreclosure Procedures to Multifamily Mortgages Held by the Secretary of Agriculture and Preservation of the Rental Assistance Contract Upon Foreclosure.--
(1) Multifamily mortgage procedures.--Section 363(2)(F) of the Multifamily Mortgage Foreclosure Act of 1981 (12 U.S.C. 3702(2)) is amended--
(A) by striking "or 515" and inserting "515, or 538"; and
(B) by inserting ", 1490p-2" after "1485".
(2) Preservation of contract.--Section 521(d) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in managing and disposing of any multifamily property that is owned or has a mortgage held by the Secretary, and during the process of foreclosure on any property with a contract for rental assistance under this section--
"(A) the Secretary shall maintain any rental assistance payments that are attached to any dwelling units in the property; and
"(B) the rental assistance contract may be used to provide further assistance to existing projects under 514, 515, or 516.".
(b) Study on Rural Housing Loans for Housing for Low- and Moderate-income Families.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a publicly available report on the loan program under section 521 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a), including--
(1) the total amount provided by the Secretary in subsidies under such section 521 to borrowers with loans made pursuant to section 502 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1472);
(2) how much of the subsidies described in paragraph (1) are being recaptured; and
(3) the amount of time and costs associated with recapturing those subsidies.
(c) Staffing and Information Technology Upgrades.--Utilizing funds appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary of Agriculture may increase staffing capacity and upgrade information technology to support all Rural Housing Service programs.
(d) Technical Improvements.--
(1) Authorization of appropriations.--Utilizing funds appropriated for such purposes, the Secretary of Agriculture may make improvements to the technology of the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture used to process and manage housing loans.
(2) Availability.--Amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available until the date that is 5 years after the date of the appropriation.
(3) Timeline.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall make the improvements described in paragraph (1) during the 5-year period beginning on the date on which amounts are appropriated under paragraph (1).
(e) Permanent Establishment of Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program.--Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 545.
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HOUSING PRESERVATION AND REVITALIZATION PROGRAM.
"(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall carry out a program under this section for the preservation and revitalization of multifamily rental housing projects financed under section 514, 515, or 516.
"(b) Notice of Maturing Loans.--
"(1) To owners.--On an annual basis, the Secretary shall provide written notice to each owner of a property financed under section 514, 515, or 516 that will mature within the 4-year period beginning upon the provision of the notice, setting forth the options and financial incentives that are available to facilitate the extension of the loan term or the option to decouple a rental assistance contract pursuant to subsection (f).
"(2) To tenants.--
"(A) In general.--On an annual basis, for each property financed under section 514, 515, or 516, not later than the date that is 2 years before the date that the loan will mature, the Secretary shall provide written notice to each household residing in the property that informs them of--
"(i) the date of the loan maturity;
"(ii) the possible actions that may happen with respect to the property upon that maturity; and
"(iii) how to protect their right to reside in federally assisted housing, or how to secure housing voucher, after that maturity.
"(B) Language.--Notice under this paragraph shall be provided in plain English and
shall be translated to other languages in the case of any property located in an area in which a significant number of residents speak such other languages.
"(c) Loan Restructuring.--Under the program under this section, in any circumstance in which the Secretary proposes a restructuring to an owner or an owner proposes a restructuring to the Secretary, the Secretary may restructure such existing housing loans, as the Secretary considers appropriate, for the purpose of ensuring that those projects have sufficient resources to preserve the projects to provide safe and affordable housing for low-income residents and farm laborers, by--
"(1) reducing or eliminating interest;
"(2) deferring loan payments;
"(3) subordinating, reducing, or reamortizing loan debt;
"(4) providing other financial assistance, including advances, payments, and incentives (including the ability of owners to obtain reasonable returns on investment) required by the Secretary; and
"(5) permanently removing a portion of the housing units from income restrictions when sustained vacancies have occurred.
"(d) Renewal of Rental Assistance.--
"(1) In general.--When the Secretary proposes to restructure a loan or agrees to the proposal of an owner to restructure a loan pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary shall offer to renew the rental assistance contract under section 521(a)(2) for a term that is the shorter of 20 years and the term of the restructured loan, subject to annual appropriations, provided that the owner agrees to bring the property up to such standards that will ensure maintenance of the property as decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the full term of the rental assistance contract.
"(2) Additional rental assistance.--With respect to a project described in paragraph (1), if rental assistance is not available for all households in the project for which the loan is being restructured pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary may extend such additional rental assistance to unassisted households at that project as is necessary to make the project safe and affordable to low-income households.
"(e) Restrictive Use Agreements.--
"(1) Requirement.--As part of the preservation and revitalization agreement for a project, the Secretary shall obtain a restrictive use agreement that is recorded and obligates the owner to operate the project in accordance with this title.
"(2) Term.--
"(A) No extension of rental assistance contract.--Except when the Secretary enters into a 20-year extension of the rental assistance contract for a project, the term of the restrictive use agreement for the project shall be consistent with the term of the restructured loan for the project.
"(B) Extension of rental assistance contract.--If the Secretary enters into a 20-year extension of the rental assistance contract for a project, the term of the restrictive use agreement for the project shall be for the longer of--
"(i) 20 years; or
"(ii) the remaining term of the loan for that project.
"(C) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate the 20-year restrictive use agreement for a project before the end of the term of the agreement if the 20-year rental assistance contract for the project with the owner is terminated at any time for reasons outside the control of the owner.
"(f) Decoupling of Rental Assistance.--
"(1) Renewal of rental assistance contract.--If the Secretary determines that a loan maturing during the 4-year period beginning upon the provision of the notice required under subsection (b)(1) for a project cannot reasonably be restructured in accordance with subsection (c) because it is not financially feasible or the owner does not agree with the proposed restructuring, and the project was operating with rental assistance under section 521 and the recipient is a borrower under section 514 or 515, the Secretary may renew the rental assistance contract, notwithstanding any requirement under section 521 that the recipient be a current borrower under section 514 or 515, for a term of 20 years, subject to annual appropriations.
"(2) Additional rental assistance.--With respect to a project described in paragraph (1), if rental assistance is not available for all households in the project for which the loan is being restructured pursuant to subsection (c), the Secretary may extend such additional rental assistance to unassisted households at that project as is necessary to make the project safe and affordable to low-income households.
"(3) Rents.--
"(A) In general.--Any agreement to extend the term of the rental assistance contract under section 521 for a project shall obligate the owner to continue to maintain the project as decent, safe, and sanitary housing and to operate the development as affordable housing in a manner that meets the goals of this title.
"(B) Rent amounts.--Subject to subparagraph (C), in setting rents, the Secretary--
"(i) shall determine the maximum initial rent based on current fair market rents established under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f); and
"(ii) may annually adjust the rent determined under clause (i) by the operating cost adjustment factor as provided under section 524 of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
"(C) Higher rent.--
"(i) In general.--Subparagraph (B) shall not apply if the Secretary determines that the budget-based needs of a project require a higher rent than the rent described in subparagraph (B).
"(ii) Rent.--If the Secretary makes a positive determination under clause (i), the Secretary may approve a budget-based rent level for the project.
"(4) Conditions for approval.--Before the approval of a rental assistance contract authorized under this section, the Secretary shall require, through an annual notice in the Federal Register, the owner to submit to the Secretary a plan that identifies financing sources and a timetable for renovations and improvements determined to be necessary by the Secretary to maintain and preserve the project.
"(g) Multifamily Housing Transfer Technical Assistance.--Under the program under this section, the Secretary may provide grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, housing cooperative corporations, and public housing agencies to provide technical assistance, including financial and legal services, to borrowers under loans under this title for multifamily housing to facilitate the acquisition or preservation of such multifamily housing properties in areas where the Secretary determines there is a risk of loss of affordable housing.
"(h) Administrative Expenses.--Of any amounts made available for the program under this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than $1,000,000 for administrative expenses for carrying out such program.
"(i) Rulemaking.--
"(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the Secretary shall--
"(A) publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking; and
"(B) consult with appropriate stakeholders.
"(2) Interim final rule.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the Secretary shall publish an interim final rule to carry out this section.".
(f) Rental Assistance Contract Authority.--Section 521(d) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490a(d)), as amended by this section, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and (D), respectively;
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
"(B) upon request of an owner of a project financed under section 514 or 515, the Secretary is authorized to enter into renewal of such agreements for a period of 20 years or the term of the loan, whichever is shorter, subject to amounts made available in appropriations Acts;";
(C) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by striking "subparagraph (A)" and inserting "subparagraphs (A) and (B)"; and
(D) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, by striking "subparagraphs (A) and (B)" and inserting "subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C)";
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking "shall" and inserting "may"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(4) In the case of any rental assistance contract authority that becomes available because of the termination of assistance on behalf of an assisted family--
"(A) at the option of the owner of the rental project, the Secretary shall provide the owner a period of not more than 6 months before unused assistance is made available pursuant to subparagraph (B) during which the owner may use such authority to provide assistance on behalf of an eligible unassisted family that--
"(i) is residing in the same rental project in which the assisted family resided before the termination; or
"(ii) newly occupies a dwelling unit in the rental project during that 6-month period; and
"(B) except for assistance used as provided in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall use such remaining authority to provide assistance on behalf of eligible families residing in other rental projects originally financed under section 514, 515, or 516.".
(g) Modifications to Loans and Grants for Minor Improvements to Farm Housing and Buildings; Income Eligibility.--Section 504(a) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1474(a)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting "and may make a loan to an eligible low-income applicant" after "applicant"; and
(2) by striking "$7,500" and inserting "$15,000".
(h) Rural Community Development Initiative.--Subtitle E of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 2009 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 381O.
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RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
"(A) a private, nonprofit community-based housing or community development organization;
"(B) a rural community; or
"(C) a federally recognized Indian tribe.
"(2) Eligible intermediary.--The term `eligible intermediary' means a qualified--
"(A) private, nonprofit organization; or
"(B) public organization.
"(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a Rural Community Development Initiative, under which the Secretary shall provide grants, subject to the availability of appropriations, to eligible intermediaries to carry out programs to provide financial and technical assistance to eligible entities to develop the capacity and ability of eligible entities to carry out projects to improve housing, community facilities, and community and economic development projects in rural areas.
"(c) Amount of Grants.--The amount of a grant provided to an eligible intermediary under this section shall be not more than $500,000.
"(d) Matching Funds.--
"(1) In general.--An eligible intermediary receiving a grant under this section shall provide matching funds from other sources, including Federal funds for related activities, in an amount not less than the amount of the grant.
"(2) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive paragraph (1) with respect to a project that would be carried out in a persistently poor rural region, as determined by the Secretary.".
(i) Annual Report on Rural Housing Programs.--Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), as amended by this section, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 546. ANNUAL REPORT.
"(a) In General.--The Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and publish on the website of the Department of Agriculture an annual report on rural housing programs carried out under this title, which shall include significant details on the health of Rural Housing Service programs, including--
"(1) raw data sortable by programs and by region regarding loan performance;
"(2) the housing stock of those programs, including information on why properties end participation in those programs, such as for maturation, prepayment, foreclosure, or other servicing issues; and
"(3) risk ratings for properties assisted under those programs.
"(b) Protection of Information.--The data included in each report required under subsection (a) may be aggregated or anonymized to protect participant financial or personal information.".
(j) GAO Report on Rural Housing Service Technology.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report that includes--
(1) an analysis of how the outdated technology used by the Rural Housing Service impacts participants in the programs of the Rural Housing Service;
(2) an estimate of the amount of funding that is needed to modernize the technology used by the Rural Housing Service; and
(3) an estimate of the number and type of new employees the Rural Housing Service needs to modernize the technology used by the Rural Housing Service.
(k) Adjustment to Rural Development Voucher Amount.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue regulations to establish a process for adjusting the voucher amount provided under section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r) after the issuance of the voucher following an interim or annual review of the amount of the voucher.
(2) Interim review.--The interim review described in paragraph (1) shall, at the request of a tenant, allow for a recalculation of the voucher amount when the tenant experiences a reduction in income, change in family composition, or change in rental rate.
(3) Annual review.--
(A) In general.--The annual review described in paragraph (1) shall require tenants to annually recertify the family composition of the household and that the family income of the household does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income at a time determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.
(B) Considerations.--If a tenant does not recertify the family composition and family income of the household within the time frame required under subparagraph (A), the Secretary of Agriculture--
(i) shall consider whether extenuating circumstances caused the delay in recertification; and
(ii) may alter associated consequences for the failure to recertify based on those circumstances.
(C) Effective date.--Following the annual review of a voucher under paragraph (1), the updated voucher amount shall be effective on the 1st day of the month following the expiration of the voucher.
(4) Deadline.--The process established under paragraph (1) shall require the Secretary of Agriculture to review and update the voucher amount described in paragraph (1) for a tenant not later than 60 days before the end of the voucher term.
(l) Eligibility for Rural Housing Vouchers.--Section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(c) Eligibility of Households in Sections 514, 515, and 516 Projects.--The Secretary may provide rural housing vouchers under this section for any low-income household (including those not receiving rental assistance) residing for a term longer than the remaining term of their lease that is in effect on the date of prepayment, foreclosure, or mortgage maturity, in a property financed with a loan under section 514 or 515 or a grant under section 516 that has--
"(1) been prepaid with or without restrictions imposed by the Secretary pursuant to section 502(c)(5)(G)(ii)(I);
"(2) been foreclosed; or
"(3) matured after September 30, 2005.".
(m) Amount of Voucher Assistance.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in the case of any rural housing voucher provided pursuant to section 542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490r), the amount of the monthly assistance payment for the household on whose behalf the assistance is provided shall be determined as provided in subsection (a) of such section 542, including providing for interim and annual review of the voucher amount in the event of a change in household composition or income or rental rate.
(n) Transfer of Multifamily Rural Housing Projects.--Section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1485) is amended--
(1) in subsection (h), by adding at the end the following:
"(3) Transfer to nonprofit organizations.--A nonprofit or public body purchaser, including a limited partnership with a general partner with the principal purpose of providing affordable housing, may purchase a property for which a loan is made or insured under this section that has received a market value appraisal, without addressing rehabilitation needs at the time of purchase, if the purchaser--
"(A) makes a commitment to address rehabilitation needs during ownership and long-term use restrictions on the property; and
"(B) at the time of purchase, accepts long-term use restrictions on the property."; and
(2) in subsection (w)(1), in the first sentence in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking "9 percent" and inserting "25 percent".
(o) Extension of Loan Term.--
(1) In general.--Section 502(a)(2) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(a)(2)) is amended--
(A) by inserting "(A)" before "The Secretary";
(B) in subparagraph (A), as so designated, by striking "paragraph" and inserting "subparagraph"; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
"(B) The Secretary may refinance or modify the period of any loan, including any refinanced loan, made under this section in accordance with terms and conditions as the Secretary shall prescribe, but in no event shall the total term of the loan from the date of the refinance or modification exceed 40 years.".
(2) Application.--The amendment made under paragraph (1) shall apply with respect to loans made under section 502 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472) before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.
(p) Release of Liability for Section 502 Guaranteed Borrower Upon Assumption of Original Loan by New Borrower.--Section 502(h) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)) is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (10) and inserting the following:
"(10) Transfer and assumption.--Upon the transfer of property for which a guaranteed loan under this subsection was made, and the assumption of the guaranteed loan by an approved eligible borrower, the original borrower of a guaranteed loan under this subsection shall be relieved of liability with respect to the loan.";
(2) by redesignating paragraph (16) as paragraph (17); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following:
"(16) Fee.--
"(A) In general.--The mortgagee may charge an assuming borrower a reasonable and customary processing fee for an assumption request made under this subsection.
"(B) Maximum fee.--The Secretary shall set a maximum allowable fee described in subparagraph (A), which may be indexed for inflation.".
(q) Department of Agriculture Loan Restrictions.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection, the terms "State" and "tribal organization" have the meanings given those terms in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n).
(2) Revision.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall revise section 3555.102(c) of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, to exclude from the restriction under that section--
(A) a home-based business that is a licensed, registered, or regulated child care provider under State law or by a tribal organization; and
(B) an applicant that has applied to become a licensed, registered, or regulated child care provider under State law or by a tribal organization.
(r) Loan Guarantees.--Section 502(h)(4) of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472(h)(4)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) as clauses (i), (ii), and (iii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(2) by striking "Loans may be guaranteed" and inserting the following:
"(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `accessory dwelling unit' means a single, habitable living unit--
"(i) with means of separate ingress and egress;
"(ii) that is usually subordinate in size;
"(iii) that can be added to, created within, or detached from a primary 1-unit, single-family dwelling; and
"(iv) in combination with a primary 1-unit, single-family dwelling, constitutes a single interest in real estate.
"(B) Single-family requirement.--Loans may be guaranteed"; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
"(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prohibit the leasing of an accessory dwelling unit or the use of rental income derived from such a lease to qualify for a loan guaranteed under this subsection--
"(i) after the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act; and
"(ii) if the property that is the subject of the loan was constructed before the date of enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.".
(s) Application Review.--
(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress, not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary of Agriculture receives an application for a loan, grant, or combined loan and grant under section 502 or 504 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C.
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1472, 1474), the Secretary of Agriculture should--
(A) review the application;
(B) complete the underwriting;
(C) make a determination of eligibility with respect to the application; and
(D) notify the applicant of determination.
(2) Report.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report--
(i) detailing the timeliness of eligibility determinations and final determinations with respect to applications under sections 502 and 504 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1472, 1474), including justifications for any eligibility determinations taking longer than 90 days; and
(ii) that includes recommendations to shorten the timeline for notifications of eligibility determinations described in clause (i) to not more than 90 days.
(B) Date described.--The date described in this subparagraph is the date on which, during the preceding 5-year period, the Secretary of Agriculture provides each eligibility determination described in subparagraph (A) during the 90-day period beginning on the date on which each application is received.
SEC. 503. INCENTIVIZING LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.
Section 414 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11373) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(f) Funding Cap Waiver Authority.--
"(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, a recipient may request a waiver to the expenditure limit established pursuant to section 415(b) for amounts provided for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030.
"(2) Waiver request.--
"(A) In general.--A recipient seeking a waiver described in paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary a waiver request that includes not more than the following:
"(i) A demonstration of local needs and circumstances that necessitate a waiver.
"(ii) A detailed plan for how the recipient intends to use funds.
"(iii) A justification for how the proposed use of funds supports the most recent Consolidated Plan submitted by the recipient.
"(iv) Any public input solicited under subparagraph (B)(ii).
"(B) Notification.--Each recipient shall--
"(i) notify all subrecipients and local Continuums of Care that serve the recipient's geographic area of the availability of waivers under this subsection; and
"(ii) prior to the submission of a waiver request under subparagraph (A), solicit public input regarding the potential need for and proposed uses of such waiver.
"(C) Approval; publication.--The Secretary shall--
"(i) make all waiver requests submitted under subparagraph (A) publicly available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
"(ii) not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a waiver request under subparagraph (A), approve or deny the request; and
"(iii) deny any waiver request submitted under subparagraph (A) by a recipient that relocates or threaten to relocate individuals or their property without providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or other permanent housing options.
"(3) Revocation.--
"(A) In general.--A waiver approved under this subsection shall remain in effect for the duration of the period of performance of fiscal year 2027 through 2030 grants, unless the recipient notifies the Secretary in writing that the recipient wishes to revoke the waiver.
"(B) Notification.--If a recipient intends to revoke a waiver under subparagraph (A), the recipient shall--
"(i) solicit input from subrecipients regarding the revocation before submitting the revocation; and
"(ii) provide subrecipients with a summary of the input and the justification for the revocation in its submittal prior to notifying the Secretary in writing.
"(C) Publication.--The Secretary shall publish any revocation of a waiver under subparagraph (A) and the justification of the recipient for the waiver on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.".
SEC. 504. REFORMING DISASTER RECOVERY ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Department.--The term "Department" means the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(2) Fund.--The term "Fund" means the Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund established under subsection (c).
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Duties of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.--
(1) In general.--The offices and officers of the Department shall be responsible for--
(A) leading and coordinating the disaster-related responsibilities of the Department under the National Response Framework, the National Disaster Recovery Framework, and the National Mitigation Framework;
(B) coordinating and administering programs, policies, and activities of the Department related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, resiliency, and mitigation, including disaster recovery assistance under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(C) supporting disaster-impacted communities as those communities specifically assess, plan for, and address the housing stock and housing needs in the transition from emergency shelters and interim housing to permanent housing of those displaced, especially among vulnerable populations and extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income households;
(D) collaborating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration and across the Department to align disaster-related regulations and policies, including incorporation of consensus-based codes and standards and insurance purchase requirements, and ensuring coordination and reducing duplication among other Federal disaster recovery programs;
(E) promoting best practices in mitigation and resilient land use planning;
(F) coordinating technical assistance, including mitigation, resiliency, and recovery training and information on all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, to entities that receive disaster recovery assistance under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) that demonstrate capacity constraints; and
(G) supporting State, Tribal, and local governments in developing, coordinating, and maintaining their capacity for disaster resilience and recovery and developing pre-disaster recovery and hazard mitigation plans, in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other Federal agencies.
(2) Establishment of the office of disaster management and resiliency.--Section 4 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(i) Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency.--
"(1) Establishment.--There is established the Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency.
"(2) Duties.--The Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency shall--
"(A) be responsible for oversight and coordination of all departmental disaster preparedness and response responsibilities; and
"(B) coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and other offices of the Department in supporting recovery and resilience activities to provide a comprehensive approach in working with communities.".
(c) Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Treasury of the United States an account to be known as the "Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund".
(2) Deposits, transfers, and credit.--
(A) In general.--The Fund shall consist of amounts appropriated, transferred, and credited to the Fund.
(B) Transfers.--The following may be transferred to the Fund:
(i) Amounts made available through section 106(c)(4) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5306(c)(4)) as a result of actions taken under section 104(e), 111, or 124(j) of such Act.
(ii) Any unobligated balances available until expended remaining or subsequently recaptured from amounts appropriated for any disaster and related purposes under the heading "Community Development Fund" in any Act prior to the establishment of the Fund.
(C) Use of transferred amounts.--Amounts transferred to the Fund shall be used for the eligible uses described in paragraph (3).
(3) Eligible uses of fund.--
(A) In general.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available--
(i) to provide assistance in the form of grants under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d); and
(ii) for activities of the Department that support the provision of such assistance, including necessary salaries and expenses, information technology, and capacity building, technical assistance, and pre-disaster readiness.
(B) Set-aside.--Of each amount appropriated for or transferred to the Fund, 3 percent shall be made available for activities described in subparagraph (A)(ii), which shall be in addition to other amounts made available for those activities.
(C) Transfer of funds.--With respect to amounts made available for use in accordance with subparagraph (B)--
(i) amounts may be transferred to the account under the heading for "Program Offices--Salaries and Expenses--Community Planning and Development", or any successor account, for the Department to carry out activities described in subparagraph(B); and
(ii) amounts may be used for the activities described in subparagraph (A)(ii) and for the administrative costs of administering any funds appropriated to the Department under the heading "Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund" for any major disaster declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) in any Act before the establishment of the Fund.
(D) Inspector general.--
(i) In general.--Not less than one-tenth of 1 percent of each series of awards the Secretary makes from the Fund shall be transferred to the account under the heading "Office of Inspector General" for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to support audit activities and to investigate grantee noncompliance with program requirements and waste, fraud, and abuse as a result of appropriations made available through the Fund.
(ii) Availability.--Funding under clause (i) shall not be made available to the Office of Inspector General until 90 days after the date on which the grantee plan or supplemental plan for the grantee is approved by the Secretary under subsection (c) or (f)(3)(C) of section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), is approved by the Secretary.
(4) Interchangeability of prior administrative amounts.--Any amounts appropriated in any Act prior to the establishment of the Fund and transferred to the account under the heading "Program Offices--Salaries and Expenses--Community Planning and Development", or any predecessor account, for the Department for the costs of administering funds appropriated to the Department under the heading "Community Planning and Development--Community Development Fund" for any major disaster declared under section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
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5170) shall be available for the costs of administering any such funds provided by any prior or future Act, notwithstanding the purposes for which those amounts were appropriated and in addition to any amount provided for the same purposes in other appropriations Acts.
(5) Availability of amounts.--Amounts appropriated, transferred, and credited to the Fund shall remain available until expended.
(6) Formula allocation.--Use of amounts in the Fund for grants shall be made by formula allocation in accordance with the requirements of section 124(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d).
(d) Establishment of CDBG Disaster Recovery Program.--Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) in section 102(a) (42 U.S.C. 5302(a))--
(A) in paragraph (20)--
(i) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C);
(ii) in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by inserting "or (B)" after "subparagraph (A)"; and
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
"(B) The term `persons of extremely low income' means families and individuals whose income levels do not exceed household income levels determined by the Secretary under section 3(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2)(C)), except that the Secretary may provide alternative definitions for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and American Samoa."; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
"(25) The term `major disaster' has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).";
(2) in section 106(c)(4) (42 U.S.C. 5306(c)(4))--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking "declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act";
(ii) by inserting "States for use in nonentitlement areas and to" before "metropolitan cities"; and
(iii) by inserting "major" after "affected by the";
(B) in subparagraph (C)--
(i) by striking "metropolitan city or" and inserting "State, metropolitan city, or";
(ii) by striking "city or county" and inserting "State, city, or county"; and
(iii) by inserting "major" before "disaster";
(C) in subparagraph (D), by striking "metropolitan cities and" and inserting "States, metropolitan cities, and";
(D) in subparagraph (F)--
(i) by striking "metropolitan city or" and inserting "State, metropolitan city, or"; and
(ii) by inserting "major" before "disaster"; and
(E) in subparagraph (G), by striking "metropolitan city or" and inserting "State, metropolitan city, or";
(3) in section 122 (42 U.S.C. 5321), by striking "disaster under title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act" and inserting "major disaster"; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 124. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT DISASTER
RECOVERY PROGRAM.
"(a) Authorization, Formula, and Allocation.--
"(1) Authorization.--The Secretary is authorized to make community development block grant disaster recovery grants from the Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund established under section 504(c) of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (in this section referred to as the `Fund') for necessary expenses for activities authorized under subsection (f)(1) related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster.
"(2) Grant awards.--Grants shall be awarded under this section to States, units of general local government, and Indian tribes based on capacity and the concentration of damage, as determined by the Secretary, to support the efficient and effective administration of funds.
"(3) Section 106 allocations.--Grants under this section shall not be considered relevant to the formula allocations made pursuant to section 106.
"(4) Federal register notice.--
"(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue a notice in the Federal Register containing the latest formula allocation methodologies used to determine the total estimate of unmet needs related to housing, economic revitalization, and infrastructure in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster.
"(B) Public comment.--If the Secretary has not already requested public comment on the formula described in the notice required by subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall solicit public comments on--
"(i) the methodologies described in subparagraph (A) and seek alternative methods for formula allocation within a similar total amount of funding;
"(ii) the impact of formula methodologies on rural areas and Tribal areas;
"(iii) adjustments to improve targeting to the most serious needs;
"(iv) objective criteria for grantee capacity and concentration of damage to inform grantee determinations and minimum allocation thresholds; and
"(v) research and data to inform an additional amount to be provided for mitigation depending on type of disaster, which shall be up to 18 percent of the total estimate of unmet needs.
"(5) Regulations.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish a formula to allocate assistance from the Fund to the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster.
"(B) Formula requirements.--The formula established under subparagraph (A) shall--
"(i) set forth criteria to determine that a major disaster is catastrophic, which criteria shall consider the presence of a high concentration of damaged housing or businesses that individual, State, Tribal, and local resources could not reasonably be expected to address without additional Federal assistance or other nationally encompassing data that the Secretary determines are adequate to assess relative impact and distress across geographic areas;
"(ii) include a methodology for identifying most impacted and distressed areas, which shall consider unmet serious needs related to housing, economic revitalization, and infrastructure;
"(iii) include an allocation calculation that considers the unmet serious needs resulting from the catastrophic major disaster and an additional amount up to 18 percent for activities to reduce risks of loss resulting from other natural disasters in the most impacted and distressed area, primarily for the benefit of low- and moderate-income persons, with particular focus on activities that reduce repetitive loss of property and critical infrastructure; and
"(iv) establish objective criteria for periodic review and updates to the formula to reflect changes in available data.
"(C) Minimum allocation threshold.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish a minimum allocation threshold.
"(D) Interim allocation.--Until such time that the Secretary issues final regulations under this paragraph, the Secretary shall--
"(i) allocate assistance from the Fund using the formula allocation methodology published in accordance with paragraph (4); and
"(ii) include an additional amount for mitigation of up to 18 percent of the total estimate of unmet need.
"(6) Allocation of funds.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary shall--
"(i) except as provided in clause (ii), not later than 90 days after the President declares a major disaster, use best available data to determine whether the major disaster is catastrophic and qualifies for assistance under the formula described in paragraph (4) or (5), unless data is insufficient to make this determination; and
"(ii) if the best available data is insufficient to make the determination required under clause (i) within the 90-day period described in that clause, determine whether the major disaster qualifies when sufficient data becomes available, but in no case shall the Secretary make the determination later than 120 days after the declaration of the major disaster.
"(B) Announcement of allocation.--If amounts are available in the Fund at the time the Secretary determines that the major disaster is catastrophic and qualifies for assistance under the formula described in paragraph (4) or (5), the Secretary shall immediately announce an allocation for a grant under this section.
"(C) Additional amounts.--If additional amounts are appropriated to the Fund after amounts are allocated under subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall announce an allocation or additional allocation (if a prior allocation under subparagraph (B) was less than the formula calculation) within 15 days of any such appropriation.
"(7) Preliminary funding.--
"(A) In general.--To speed recovery, the Secretary is authorized to allocate and award preliminary grants from the Fund before making a determination under paragraph (6)(A) if the Secretary projects, based on a preliminary assessment of impact and distress, that a major disaster is catastrophic and would likely qualify for funding under the formula described in paragraph (4) or (5).
"(B) Amount.--
"(i) Maximum.--The Secretary may award preliminary funding under subparagraph (A) in an amount that is not more than $5,000,000.
"(ii) Sliding scale.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish a sliding scale for preliminary funding awarded under subparagraph (A) based on the size of the preliminary assessment of impact and distress.
"(C) Use of funds.--The uses of preliminary funding awarded under subparagraph (A) shall be limited to eligible activities that--
"(i) in the determination of the Secretary, will support faster recovery, improve the ability of the grantee to assess unmet recovery needs, plan for the prevention of improper payments, and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse; and
"(ii) may include evaluating the interim housing, permanent housing, and supportive service needs of the disaster impacted community, with special attention to vulnerable populations, such as homeless and low- to moderate-income households, to inform the grantee action plan required under subsection (c).
"(D) Consideration of funding.--Preliminary funding awarded under subparagraph (A)--
"(i) is not subject to the certification requirements of subsection (h)(2); and
"(ii) shall not be considered when calculating the amount of the grant used for administrative costs, technical assistance, and planning activities that are subject to the requirements under subsection (f)(3).
"(E) Waiver.--To expedite the use of preliminary funding for activities described in this paragraph, the Secretary may waive or specify alternative requirements to the requirements of this section in accordance with subsection (i).
"(F) Amended award.--
"(i) In general.--An award for preliminary funding under subparagraph (A) may be amended to add any subsequent amount awarded because of a determination by the Secretary that a major disaster is catastrophic and qualifies for assistance under the formula.
"(ii) Applicability.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (D), amounts provided by an amendment under clause (i) are subject to the requirements under subsections (f)(1) and (h)(1) and other requirements on grant funds under this section.
"(G) Technical assistance.--Concurrent with the allocation of any preliminary funding awarded under this paragraph, the Secretary shall assign or provide technical assistance to the recipient of the grant.
"(b) Interchangeability.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to approve the use of grants under this section to be used interchangeably and without limitation for the same activities in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a declaration of another catastrophic major disaster that qualifies for assistance under the formula established under paragraph (4) or (5) of subsection (a) or a major disaster for which
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the Secretary allocated funds made available under the heading `Community Development Fund' in any Act prior to the establishment of the Fund.
"(2) Requirements.--The Secretary shall establish requirements to expedite the use of grants under this section for the purpose described in paragraph (1).
"(3) Emergency designation.--Amounts repurposed pursuant to this subsection that were previously designated by Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 or a concurrent resolution on the budget are designated by the Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4001(a)(1) of S. Con. Res. 14 (117th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2022, and to legislation establishing fiscal year 2026 budget enforcement in the House of Representatives.
"(c) Grantee Plans.--
"(1) Requirement.--Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary announces a grant allocation under this section, unless an extension is granted by the Secretary, the grantee shall submit to the Secretary a plan for approval describing--
"(A) the activities the grantee will carry out with the grant under this section;
"(B) the criteria of the grantee for awarding assistance and selecting activities;
"(C) how the use of the grant under this section will address disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas;
"(D) how the use of the grant funds for mitigation is consistent with hazard mitigation plans submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5165);
"(E) the estimated amount proposed to be used for activities that will benefit persons of low and moderate income;
"(F) how the use of grant funds will repair and replace existing housing stock for vulnerable populations, including low- to moderate-income households;
"(G) how the grantee will address the priorities described in paragraph (5);
"(H) how uses of funds are proportional to unmet needs, as required under paragraph (6);
"(I) for State grantees that plan to distribute grant amounts to units of general local government, a description of the method of distribution; and
"(J) such other information as may be determined by the Secretary in regulation.
"(2) Public consultation.--To permit public examination and appraisal of the plan described in paragraph (1), to enhance the public accountability of grantee, and to facilitate coordination of activities with different levels of government, when developing the plan or substantial amendments proposed to the plan required under paragraph (1), a grantee shall--
"(A) publish the plan before adoption;
"(B) provide citizens, affected units of general local government, and other interested parties with reasonable notice of, and opportunity to comment on, the plan, with a public comment period of not less than 14 days;
"(C) consider comments received before submission to the Secretary;
"(D) follow a citizen participation plan for disaster assistance adopted by the grantee that, at a minimum, provides for participation of residents of the most impacted and distressed area affected by the major disaster that resulted in the grant under this section and other considerations established by the Secretary; and
"(E) undertake any consultation with interested parties as may be determined by the Secretary in regulation.
"(3) Approval.--The Secretary shall--
"(A) by regulation, specify criteria for the approval, partial approval, or disapproval of a plan submitted under paragraph (1), including approval of substantial amendments to the plan;
"(B) review a plan submitted under paragraph (1) upon receipt of the plan;
"(C) allow a grantee to revise and resubmit a plan or substantial amendment to a plan under paragraph (1) that the Secretary disapproves;
"(D) by regulation, specify criteria for when the grantee shall be required to provide the required revisions to a disapproved plan or substantial amendment under paragraph (1) for public comment prior to resubmission of the plan or substantial amendment to the Secretary; and
"(E) approve, partially approve, or disapprove a plan or substantial amendment under paragraph (1) not later than 60 days after the date on which the plan or substantial amendment is received by the Secretary.
"(4) Low- and moderate-income overall benefit.--
"(A) Use of funds.--Not less than 70 percent of a grant made under this section shall be used for activities that benefit persons of low and moderate income unless the Secretary--
"(i) specifically finds that--
"(I) there is compelling need to reduce the percentage for the grant; and
"(II) the housing needs of low- and moderate-income persons have been addressed; and
"(ii) issues a waiver and alternative requirement specific to the grant pursuant to subsection (i) to lower the percentage.
"(B) Regulations.--The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish protocols that reflect the required use of funds under subparagraph (A), including persons with extremely and very low incomes.
"(5) Prioritization.--The grantee shall prioritize activities that--
"(A) assist persons with extremely low-, low-, and moderate-incomes and other vulnerable populations to better recover from and withstand future disasters;
"(B) address housing needs arising from a disaster, or those needs present prior to a disaster, including the needs of both renters and homeowners;
"(C) prolong the life of housing and infrastructure;
"(D) use cost-effective means of preventing harm to people and property and incorporate protective features and redundancies; and
"(E) other measures that will assure the continuation of critical services during future disasters.
"(6) Proportional allocation.--For each specific disaster, a grantee under this section shall allocate grant funds proportional to unmet needs between housing activities for renters and homeowners, economic revitalization, and infrastructure unless the Secretary specifically finds that--
"(A) there is a compelling need for a disproportional allocation among those unmet needs; and
"(B) the disproportional allocation described in subparagraph (A) is not inconsistent with the requirements under paragraph (4).
"(7) Disaster risk mitigation.--
"(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term `hazard-prone areas'--
"(i) means areas identified by the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, at risk from natural hazards that threaten property damage or health, safety, and welfare, such as floods, wildfires (including Wildland-Urban Interface areas), earthquakes, lava inundation, tornados, and high winds; and
"(ii) includes areas having special flood hazards as identified under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4002 et seq.) or the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.).
"(B) Hazard-prone areas.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, shall establish minimum construction standards, insurance purchase requirements, and other requirements for the use of grant funds in hazard-prone areas.
"(C) Special flood hazards.--
"(i) In general.--For the areas described in subparagraph (A)(ii), the insurance purchase requirements established under subparagraph (B) shall meet or exceed the requirements under section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4012a(a)).
"(ii) Treatment as financial assistance.--All grants under this section shall be treated as financial assistance for purposes of section 3(a)(3) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (42 U.S.C. 4003(a)(3)).
"(D) Consideration of future risks.--The Secretary may consider future risks to protecting property and health, safety, and general welfare, and the likelihood of those risks, when making the determination of or modification to hazard-prone areas under this paragraph.
"(8) Relocation.--
"(A) In general.--The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.) shall apply to activities assisted under this section to the extent determined by the Secretary in regulation, or as provided in waivers or alternative requirements authorized in accordance with subsection (i).
"(B) Policy.--Each grantee under this section shall establish a relocation assistance policy that--
"(i) minimizes displacement and describes the benefits available to persons displaced as a direct result of acquisition, rehabilitation, or demolition in connection with an activity that is assisted by a grant under this section; and
"(ii) includes any appeal rights or other requirements that the Secretary establishes by regulation.
"(d) Certifications.--Any grant under this section shall be made only if the grantee certifies to the satisfaction of the Secretary that--
"(1) the grantee is in full compliance with the requirements under subsection (c)(2);
"(2) for grants other than grants to Indian tribes, the grant will be conducted and administered in conformity with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.) and the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
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3601 et seq.);
"(3) the projected use of funds has been developed so as to give maximum feasible priority to activities that will benefit recipients described in subsection (c)(4)(A) and activities described in subsection (c)(5), and may also include activities that are designed to aid in the prevention or elimination of slum and blight to support disaster recovery, meet other community development needs having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs, and alleviate future threats to human populations, critical natural resources, and property that an analysis of hazards shows are likely to result from natural disasters in the future;
"(4) the grant funds shall principally benefit persons of low- and moderate-income as described in subsection (c)(4)(A);
"(5) for grants other than grants to Indian tribes, within 24 months of receiving a grant or at the time of its 3- or 5-year update, whichever is sooner, the grantee will review and make modifications to its non-disaster housing and community development plans and strategies required by subsections (c) and (m) of section 104 to reflect the disaster recovery needs identified by the grantee and consistency with the plan under subsection (c)(1);
"(6) the grantee will not attempt to recover any capital costs of public improvements assisted in whole or part under this section by assessing any amount against properties owned and occupied by persons of low and moderate income, including any fee charged or assessment made as a condition of obtaining access to such public improvements, unless--
"(A) funds received under this section are used to pay the proportion of such fee or assessment that relates to the capital costs of such public improvements that are financed from revenue sources other than under this chapter; or
"(B) for purposes of assessing any amount against properties owned and occupied by persons of moderate income, the grantee certifies to the Secretary that the grantee lacks sufficient funds received under this section to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (A);
"(7) the grantee will comply with the other provisions of this title that apply to assistance under this section and with other applicable laws;
"(8) the grantee will follow a relocation assistance policy that includes any minimum requirements identified by the Secretary; and
"(9) the grantee will adhere to construction standards, insurance purchase requirements, and other requirements for development in hazard-prone areas described in subsection (c)(7).
"(e) Performance Reviews and Reporting.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, on not less frequently than an annual basis until the closeout of a particular grant allocation, make such reviews and audits as may be necessary or appropriate to determine whether a grantee under this section has--
"(A) carried out activities using grant funds in a timely manner;
"(B) met the performance targets established by paragraph (2);
"(C) carried out activities using grant funds in accordance with the requirements of this section, the other provisions of this title that apply to assistance under this section, and other applicable laws; and
"(D) a continuing capacity to carry out activities in a timely manner.
"(2) Performance targets.--The Secretary shall develop and make publicly available critical performance targets for review, which shall include spending thresholds for each year from the date on which funds are obligated by the Secretary to the grantee until such time all funds have been expended.
"(3) Failure to meet targets.--
"(A) Suspension.--If a grantee under this section fails to meet 1 or more critical performance targets under paragraph (2), the Secretary may temporarily suspend the grant.
"(B) Performance improvement plan.--If the Secretary suspends a grant under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide to the grantee a performance improvement plan with the specific requirements needed to lift the suspension within a defined time period.
"(C) Report.--If a grantee fails to meet the spending thresholds established under paragraph (2), the grantee shall submit to the Secretary, the appropriate committees of Congress, and each member of Congress who represents a district or State of the grantee a written report identifying technical capacity, funding, or other Federal or State impediments affecting the ability of the grantee to meet the spending thresholds.
"(4) Collection of information and reporting.--
"(A) Requirement to report.--A grantee under this section shall provide to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may determine necessary for adequate oversight of the grant program under this section.
"(B) Public availability.--Subject to subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall make information submitted under subparagraph (A) available to the public and to the Inspector General for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
"(C) Summary status reports.--To increase transparency and accountability of the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall, on not less frequently than an annual basis, post on a public facing dashboard summary status reports for all active grants under this section that includes--
"(i) the status of funds by activity;
"(ii) the percentages of funds allocated and expended to benefit low- and moderate-income communities;
"(iii) performance targets, spending thresholds, and accomplishments; and
"(iv) other information the Secretary determines to be relevant for transparency.
"(D) Considerations.--In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that personally identifiable information regarding applicants for assistance provided from funds made available under this section is not made publicly available.
"(E) Research partnerships.--
"(i) In general.--The Secretary may, upon a formal request from researchers, make disaggregated information available to the requestor that is specific and relevant to the
research being conducted, and for the purposes of researching program impact and efficacy.
"(ii) Privacy protections.--In making information available under clause (i), the Secretary shall protect personally identifiable information as required under section 552a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the `Privacy Act of 1974').
"(f) Eligible Activities.--
"(1) In general.--Activities assisted under this section--
"(A) may include activities permitted under section 105 or other activities permitted by the Secretary by waiver or alternative requirement pursuant to subsection (i); and
"(B) shall be related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from the major disaster for which the grant was awarded.
"(2) Prohibition.--Grant funds under this section may not be used for costs reimbursable by, or for which funds have been made available by, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
"(3) Administrative costs, technical assistance, and planning.--
"(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish in regulation the maximum grant amounts a grantee may use for administrative costs, technical assistance, and planning activities, taking into consideration size of grant, complexity of recovery, and other factors as determined by the Secretary, but not to exceed 8 percent for administration and 20 percent in total.
"(B) Availability.--Amounts available for administrative costs for a grant under this section shall be available for eligible administrative costs of the grantee for any grant made under this section, without regard to a particular disaster.
"(C) Supplemental plan.--
"(i) In general.--Grantees may submit to the Secretary an optional supplemental plan to the grantee plan required under this title specifically for administrative costs, which shall include a description of the use of all grant funds for administrative costs, including for any eligible pre-award program administrative costs, and how such uses will prepare the grantee to more effectively and expeditiously administer funds provided under the full plan.
"(ii) Use of funds.--If a supplemental plan is approved under clause (i), a grantee may draw down the aforementioned administrative funds before the full grantee plan is approved.
"(iii) Waivers.--In carrying out this subparagraph, the Secretary may include any waivers or alternative requirements in accordance with subsection (i).
"(4) Program income.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any grantee under this section may retain program income that is realized from grants made by the Secretary under this section if the grantee agrees that the grantee will utilize the program income in accordance with the requirements for grants under this section, except that the Secretary may--
"(A) by regulation, exclude from consideration as program income any amounts determined to be so small that compliance with this paragraph creates an unreasonable administrative burden on the grantee; or
"(B) permit the grantee to transfer remaining program income to the other grants of the grantee under this title upon closeout of the grant.
"(5) Prohibition on use of assistance for employment relocation activities.--
"(A) In general.--Grants under this section may not be used to assist directly in the relocation of any industrial or commercial plant, facility, or operation, from one area to another area, if the relocation is likely to result in a significant loss of employment in the labor market area from which the relocation occurs.
"(B) Applicability.--The prohibition under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to a business that was operating in the disaster-declared labor market area before the incident date of the applicable disaster and has since moved, in whole or in part, from the affected area to another State or to a labor market area within the same State to continue business.
"(6) Requirements.--Grants under this section are subject to the requirements of this section, the other provisions of this title that apply to assistance under this section, and other applicable laws, unless modified by waivers or alternative requirements in accordance with subsection (i).
"(g) Environmental Review.--
"(1) Adoption.--A recipient of funds provided under this section that uses the funds to supplement Federal assistance provided under section 203, 402, 403, 404, 406, 407, 408(c)(4), 428, or 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170a, 5170b, 5170c, 5172, 5173, 5174(c)(4), 5189f, 5192) may adopt, without review or public comment, any environmental review, approval, or permit performed by a Federal agency, and such adoption shall satisfy the responsibilities of the recipient with respect to such environmental review, approval, or permit under section 104(g)(1), so long as the actions covered by the existing environmental review, approval, or permit and the actions proposed for these supplemental funds are substantially the same.
"(2) Approval of release of funds.--Notwithstanding section 104(g)(2), the Secretary or a State may, upon receipt of a request for release of funds and certification, immediately approve the release of funds for an activity or project to be assisted under this section if the recipient has adopted an environmental review, approval, or permit under paragraph (1) or the activity or project is categorically excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
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4321 et seq.).
"(3) Units of general local government.--The provisions of section 104(g)(4) shall apply to assistance under this section that a State distributes to a unit of general local government.
"(h) Financial Controls and Procedures.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop requirements and procedures to demonstrate that a grantee under this section--
"(A) has adequate financial controls and procurement processes;
"(B) has adequate procedures to detect and prevent fraud, waste, abuse, and duplication of benefit; and
"(C) maintains a comprehensive and publicly accessible website.
"(2) Certification.--Before making a grant under this section, the Secretary shall certify that the grantee has in place proficient processes and procedures to comply with the requirements developed under paragraph (1), as determined by the Secretary.
"(3) Compliance before allocation.--The Secretary may permit a State, unit of general local government, or Indian tribe to demonstrate compliance with the requirements for adequate financial controls developed under paragraph (1) before a disaster occurs and before receiving an allocation for a grant under this section.
"(4) Duplication of benefits.--
"(A) In general.--Funds made available under this section shall be used in accordance with section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155) and such rules as may be prescribed under such section 312.
"(B) Penalties.--In any case in which the use of grant funds under this section results in a prohibited duplication of benefits, the grantee shall--
"(i) apply an amount equal to the identified duplication to any allowable costs of the award consistent with an actual, immediate cash requirement;
"(ii) remit any excess amounts to the Secretary to be credited to the obligated, undisbursed balance of the grant consistent with requirements on Federal payments applicable to such grantee; and
"(iii) if excess amounts under clause (ii) are identified after the period of performance or after the closeout of the award, remit such amounts to the Secretary to be credited to the Fund.
"(C) Failure to comply.--Any grantee provided funds under this section or from prior appropriations Acts under the heading `Community Development Fund' for purposes related to major disasters that fails to comply with section 312 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5155) or fails to satisfy penalties to resolve a duplication of benefits shall be subject to remedies for noncompliance under section 111, unless the Secretary publishes a determination in the Federal Register that it is not in the best interest of the Federal Government to pursue remedial actions.
"(i) Waivers and Alternative Requirements.--
"(1) In general.--In administering grants under this section, the Secretary may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the obligation by the Secretary or the use by the grantee of those funds (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, the environment, and the requirements of this section that do not expressly authorize modifications by waiver or alternative requirement), if the Secretary makes a public finding that good cause exists for the waiver or alternative requirement.
"(2) Effective date.--A waiver or alternative requirement described in paragraph (1) shall not take effect before the date that is 5 days after the date of publication of the waiver or alternative requirement on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the effective date for any regulation published in the Federal Register.
"(3) Public notification.--The Secretary shall notify the public of all waivers or alternative requirements described in paragraph (1) in accordance with the requirements of section 7(q)(3) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(q)(3)).
"(j) Unused Amounts.--
"(1) Deadline to use amounts.--A grantee under this section shall use an amount equal to the grant within 6 years beginning on the date on which the Secretary obligates the amounts to the grantee, as such period may be extended under paragraph (4).
"(2) Recapture.--The Secretary shall recapture and credit to the Fund any amount that is unused by a grantee under this section upon the earlier of--
"(A) the date on which the grantee notifies the Secretary that the grantee has completed all activities identified in the disaster grantee's plan under subsection (c); or
"(B) the expiration of the 6-year period described in paragraph (1), as such period may be extended under paragraph (4).
"(3) Retention of funds.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the Secretary--
"(A) shall allow a grantee under this section to retain amounts needed to close out grants; and
"(B) may allow a grantee under this section to retain up to 10 percent of the remaining funds to support maintenance of the minimal capacity to launch a new program in the event of a future disaster and to support pre-disaster long-term recovery and mitigation planning.
"(4) Extension of period for use of funds.--The Secretary may extend the 6-year period described in paragraph (1) by not more than 4 years, or not more than 6 years for mitigation activities, if--
"(A) the grantee submits to the Secretary--
"(i) written documentation of the exigent circumstances impacting the ability of the grantee to expend funds that could not be anticipated; or
"(ii) a justification that such request is necessary due to the nature and complexity of the program and projects; and
"(B) the Secretary submits a written justification for the extension to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives that specifies the period of that extension.
"(k) Definition.--In this section, the term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103).".
(e) Regulations.--
(1) Proposed rules.--Following consultation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and other Federal agencies, not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue proposed rules to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section and shall provide a 90-day period for submission of public comments on those proposed rules.
(2) Final rules.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue final regulations to carry out section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d).
(f) Coordination of Disaster Recovery Assistance, Benefits, and Data With Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) Coordination of disaster recovery assistance.--In order to ensure a comprehensive approach to Federal disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of housing and infrastructure, economic revitalization, and mitigation in the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a catastrophic major disaster, the Secretary shall coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to the greatest extent practicable, in the implementation of assistance authorized under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d).
(2) Data sharing agreements.--To support the coordination of data to prevent duplication of benefits with other Federal disaster recovery programs while also expediting recovery and reducing burden on disaster survivors, the Department shall establish data sharing agreements that safeguard privacy with relevant Federal agencies to ensure disaster benefits effectively and efficiently reach intended beneficiaries, while using effective means of preventing harm to people and property.
(3) Data transfer from fema and sba to hud.--As permitted and deemed necessary for efficient program execution, and consistent with a computer matching agreement entered into under paragraph (6)(A), the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall provide data on disaster applicants to the Department, including, when necessary, personally identifiable information, disaster recovery needs, and resources determined eligible for, and amounts expended, to the Secretary for all major disasters declared by the President pursuant to section 401 of Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
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5170) for the purpose of providing additional assistance to disaster survivors and prevent duplication of benefits.
(4) Data transfers from hud to hud grantees.--The Secretary is authorized to provide to grantees under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), offices of the Department, technical assistance providers, and lenders information that in the determination of the Secretary is reasonably available and appropriate to inform the provision of assistance after a major disaster, including information provided to the Secretary by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, or other Federal agencies.
(5) Data transfers from hud grantees to hud, fema, and sba.--
(A) Reporting.--Grantees under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), shall report information requested by the Secretary on households, businesses, and other entities assisted and the type of assistance provided.
(B) Sharing information.--The Secretary shall share information collected under subparagraph (A) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, and other Federal agencies to support the planning and delivery of disaster recovery and mitigation assistance and other related purposes.
(6) Privacy protection.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may make and receive data transfers authorized under this subsection, including the use and retention of that data for computer matching programs, to inform the provision of assistance, assess disaster recovery needs, and prevent the duplication of benefits and other waste, fraud, and abuse, provided that--
(i) the Secretary enters an information sharing agreement or a computer matching agreement, when required by section 522a of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the "Privacy Act of 1974"), with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, or other Federal agencies covering the transfer of data; and
(ii) the Secretary publishes intent to disclose data in the Federal Register.
(B) Data sharing agreement.--Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), section 552a of title 5, United States Code, or any other law, the Secretary is authorized to share data with an entity identified in paragraph (4), and the entity is authorized to use the data as described in this section, if the Secretary enters a data sharing agreement with the entity before sharing or receiving any information under transfers authorized by this section, which data sharing agreement shall--
(i) in the determination of the Secretary, include measures adequate to safeguard the privacy and personally identifiable information of individuals; and
(ii) include provisions that describe how the personally identifiable information of an individual will be adequately safeguarded and protected, which requires consultation with the Secretary and the head of each Federal agency the data of which is being shared subject to the agreement.
(g) Sunset.--The program under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d) shall terminate on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(h) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that, should Congress opt to appropriate funds for disaster recovery through a similar successor program following the sunset date, subsection (g) shall not preclude Congress from doing so.
(i) Application.--Grants made under section 124 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as added by subsection (d), after the date of enactment of this Act shall be carried out using amounts appropriated after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 505. NEW MOVING TO WORK COHORT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Moving to work demonstration.--The term "Moving to Work demonstration" means the Moving to Work demonstration authorized under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
(2) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Authorization of Additional Public Housing Agencies.--
(1) In general.--After the completion of the initial report required under subsection (h)(2), the Secretary may add up to an additional 25 public housing agencies that are designated as high performing agencies under the Public Housing Assessment System or the Section 8 Management Assessment Program to participate in a new cohort as part of the Moving to Work demonstration.
(2) Name.--The new cohort authorized under paragraph (1) shall be entitled the "Economic Opportunity and Pathways to Independence Cohort".
(c) Waiver Authority.--
(1) In general.--Subject to this subsection, the authority of the Secretary to grant waivers to agencies admitted to the Moving to Work demonstration under this section or to designate policy changes as part of a cohort design under this section shall be limited to the Moving to Work waivers codified as of January 2025 in Appendix I of the document of the Department of Housing and Urban Development entitled "Operations Notice for the Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program" (FR-5994-N-05) published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2020, as amended by the notice entitled "Operations Notice for Expansion of the Moving to Work Demonstration Program Technical Revisions" (FR-5994-N-06) published in the Federal Register on March 20, 2025.
(2) Modifications.--The Secretary may not waive the safe harbor requirements that apply to the Moving to Work waivers described in paragraph (1) or modify those waivers in any other way for the purposes of the new cohort under this section.
(3) Exceptions.--
(A) In general.--Under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not grant waiver 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1k, 1l, 1o, 1p, 1q, 6, 7, 9a, 9h, or 12 in the document described in paragraph (1), including
modifications of or safe harbor requirement waivers for such waivers.
(B) Specific wavers.--If the Secretary grants waiver 10 or 11 in the document described in paragraph (1), resident participation in any program administered pursuant to those waivers shall be optional for purposes of the new cohort under this section.
(4) Policy options.--In carrying out the Moving to Work demonstration cohort established under this section, the Secretary may consider policy options to provide opt-out savings or escrow accounts and report positive rental payments to consumer reporting agencies (as defined in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a)) with resident consent.
(d) Funding and Use of Funds.--
(1) In general.--Public housing agencies in the cohort authorized under this section may expend not more than 5 percent of the amounts those public housing agencies receive in any fiscal year for housing assistance payments under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) for purposes other than such housing assistance payments.
(2) Other uses.--Such other uses of amounts described in paragraph (1) shall comply with all other applicable requirements.
(3) Formula.--
(A) Renewal.--The amount of funding public housing agencies receive for renewal of housing assistance payments under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) shall be determined according to the same funding formula applicable to public housing agencies that do not participate in the Moving to Work demonstration, except that the Secretary shall provide public housing agencies funding to renew any funds expended under this subsection, with an adjustment for inflation.
(B) Administrative fees.--The amount of funding public housing agencies receive for administrative fees under section 8(q) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(q)), public housing operating subsidies under section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(e)), and public housing capital funding under section 9(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(d)) shall be determined according to the same funding formula applicable to public housing agencies that do not participate in the Moving to Work demonstration.
(e) Selection Requirements.--The Secretary shall select public housing agencies designated under this section through a competitive process, as determined by the Secretary, with the following parameters:
(1) No public housing agency shall be granted this designation under this section that administers more than 27,000 aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units.
(2) Of the public housing agencies selected under this section, not more than 12 shall administer 1,000 or fewer aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units, not more than 8 shall administer between 1,001 and 6,000 aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units, and not more than 5 shall administer between 6,001 and 27,000 aggregate housing vouchers and public housing units.
(3) Selection of public housing agencies under this section shall be based on ensuring the geographic diversity of Moving to Work demonstration public housing agencies.
(4) Within the requirements under paragraphs (1) through (3), the Secretary shall prioritize selecting public housing agencies that serve families with children and youth aging out of foster care at a rate above the national average.
(f) Requirements for Selected Public Housing Agencies.--Consistent with section 204(c)(3) of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), public housing agencies selected for the Moving to Work demonstration under this section shall--
(1) ensure that not less than 75 percent of the families assisted are very low-income families, as defined in section 3(b)(2)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
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1437a(b)(2)(B));
(2) establish a reasonable rent policy, which shall be designed to encourage employment and self-sufficiency by participating families, consistent with the purpose of the Moving to Work demonstration, such as by excluding some or all of a family's earned income for purposes of determining rent;
(3) continue to assist substantially the same total number of eligible low-income families as would have been served had the amounts not been combined;
(4) maintain a comparable mix of families (by family size) as would have been provided had the amounts not been used under the Moving to Work demonstration; and
(5) assure that housing assisted under the Moving to Work demonstration meets housing quality standards established or approved by the Secretary.
(g) Noncompliance.--
(1) In general.--If the Secretary finds that a public housing agency participating in the cohort authorized under this section is not in compliance with the requirements under this section, the Secretary shall make a determination of noncompliance.
(2) Compliance.--Upon making a determination under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall develop a process to bring the public housing agency into compliance.
(3) Removal.--If a public housing agency cannot be brought into compliance under the process developed under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall remove the participating public housing agency from the cohort and replace it with a similarly qualified public housing agency currently not in the cohort chosen in the manner described in subsection (e).
(4) Notification.--Upon removing a public housing agency under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall immediately submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives--
(A) a notification of the removal; and
(B) a report on the active steps the Secretary is taking to replace the public housing agency with a new public housing agency.
(h) Comprehensive Moving to Work Reporting and Oversight Requirements.--
(1) Cohort research.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall continue ongoing research investigations commenced as part of the assessment of the cohorts established under section 239 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2016 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note; Public Law 114-113), make public all products completed as part of those investigations, and keep such products online for at least 5 years.
(B) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with the advisory committee established under section 239 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2016 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note; Public Law 114-113) to establish a research program to evaluate the outcomes and efficacy of the following for all Moving to Work demonstration agencies designated under the authority under such section and this section:
(i) The waivers granted to each cohort and whether those waivers accomplish the goals of achieving greater cost effectiveness and administrative capacity, incentivizing families to become economically self-sufficient, and increasing housing choice.
(ii) The additional flexibilities granted to individual public housing agencies under each cohort.
(iii) How the flexibilities described in clause (ii) were used for local, non-traditional activities.
(2) Comprehensive reporting requirement.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report that contains the following for each Moving to Work demonstration cohort under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), section 239 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2016 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note; Public Law 114-113), and this section:
(A) The annual administrative plans of each Moving to Work demonstration public housing agency.
(B) Assessments of longitudinal data, including data on units, households, and outcomes, which shall be evaluated to compare changes in the following trends before and after Moving to Work demonstration designation:
(i) Impacts on tenants based on the following, disaggregated by the public housing program and the housing choice voucher program:
(I) Eviction rates.
(II) Hardship policy usage.
(III) Share of rent covered by a household.
(IV) Turnover, including the number of household moves with or without continued assistance.
(V) Reasons for exit from the program.
(VI) The number and characteristics of households served, including households with a non-elderly family member with a disability, households with 3 or more minors, homelessness status at the time of admission, and average and median income as a percent of area median income.
(ii) Impacts on public housing agency operations based on the following:
(I) The number of units, broken down by type.
(II) The size, including the number of bedrooms per unit, accessibility, affordability, and quality of units.
(III) The length of each waitlist maintained and average wait times.
(IV) Changes in capital backlog needs and surplus fund and reserve levels.
(V) The number of public housing units undergoing a conversion under the rental assistance demonstration program authorized under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-55; 125 Stat. 673) or demolition or disposition projects under section 18 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437p), including the number of units lost and the location of any replacement housing resulting from demolition or disposition.
(VI) The share of project-based vouchers compared to tenant-based vouchers.
(VII) The following annual housing choice voucher data:
(aa) Voucher unit utilization rates.
(bb) Voucher budget utilization rates.
(cc) Annualized voucher success rate.
(dd) Demographic composition of households issued vouchers compared to utilized vouchers.
(ee) Average time to lease-up.
(ff) Average cost per voucher.
(gg) Average cost per landlord incentive.
(hh) Ratio of the proportion of voucher households living in concentrated low-income areas to the proportion of renter-occupied units in concentrated low-income areas.
(ii) Characteristics of census tracts where voucher recipients reside.
(VIII) How the public housing agency met each of the statutory requirements in section 204(c)(3) of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
(iii) Impacts on public housing staffing and capacity, including the average public housing agency operating, administrative, and housing assistance payment expenditures per household per month.
(C) Legislative recommendations for flexibilities that could be expanded to all public housing agencies and how each flexibility enhances housing choice, affordability, and administrative capacity and efficiency for public housing agencies.
(3) Public availability.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall maintain all reports submitted pursuant to this section in a manner that is publicly available, accessible, and searchable on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for not less than 5 years.
(B) Other information.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall make the annual plan of the Moving to Work demonstration, the Section 8 administrative plan, and the admission and continued occupancy policy for each year publicly available in 1 location on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for not less than 5 years.
(ii) Database.--The Secretary may establish a searchable database on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to track the types of flexibilities into which Moving to Work demonstration public housing agencies have opted or for which a waiver was approved by the Secretary, disaggregated by the year such flexibilities were adopted or approved.
SEC. 601. MILITARY SERVICE QUESTION.
(a) In General.--Subpart A of part 2 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4541 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 1329. UNIFORM RESIDENTIAL LOAN APPLICATION.
"Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Director shall, by regulation or order, require each enterprise to include a disclosure below the military service question, which shall be above the signature line, on the form known as the Uniform Residential Loan Application stating, `If yes, you may qualify for a VA Home Loan. Consult your lender regarding eligibility.'.".
(b) GAO Study.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on whether or not less than 80 percent of lenders using the Uniform Residential Loan Application have included on that form the disclaimer required under section 1329 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as added by subsection (a).
SEC. 602. HOUSING UNHOUSED DISABLED VETERANS ACT.
(a) Exclusion of Certain Disability Benefits.--Section 3(b)(4)(B) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(4)(B)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating clauses (iv) and (v) as clauses (vi) and (vii), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after clause (iii) the following:
"(iv) for the purpose of determining income eligibility with respect to the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19), any disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, received by a veteran, except that this exclusion shall not apply to the income in the definition of adjusted income;
"(v) for the purpose of determining income eligibility with respect to any household receiving rental assistance under the supported housing program under section 8(o)(19) as it relates to eligibility for other types of housing assistance, any disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code, received by a veteran, but such amounts shall not be excluded from income when determining adjusted income;".
(b) Treatment of Certain Disability Benefits.--
(1) In general.--When determining the eligibility of a veteran to rent a residential dwelling unit constructed on Department property on or after the date of enactment of this Act, for which assistance is provided as part of a housing assistance program administered by the Secretary, the Secretary shall exclude from income any disability benefits received under chapter 11 or chapter 15 of title 38, United States Code by such person.
(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Department property.--The term "Department property" has the meaning given the term in section 901 of title 38, United States Code.
(B) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
SEC. 603. VETERANS AFFAIRS LOAN INFORMED DISCLOSURE (VALID)
ACT.
(a) FHA Informed Consumer Choice Disclosure.--
(1) Inclusion of information relating to va loans.--Subparagraph (A) of section 203(f)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
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1709(f)(2)(A)) is amended--
(A) by striking "ratio in" and inserting "ratio--
"(i) in"; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
"(ii) in connection with a loan guaranteed or insured under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, assuming prevailing interest rates; and".
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in the amendments made by paragraph (1) shall be construed to require an original lender to determine whether a prospective borrower is eligible for any loan included in the notice required under section 203(f) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(f)).
(b) Military Service Question.--
(1) In general.--Subpart A of part 2 of subtitle A of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4541 et seq.), as amended by section 601(a) of this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
"SEC. 1330. UNIFORM RESIDENTIAL LOAN APPLICATION.
"Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Director shall require each enterprise to--
"(1) include a military service question on the form known as the Uniform Residential Loan Application to include selection options of `Yes', `No', and "Prefer Not To Answer"; and
"(2) position the question described in paragraph (1) above the signature line of the Uniform Residential Loan Application.".
(2) Rulemaking.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency shall issue a rule to carry out the amendment made by this section.
SEC. 701. REQUIRING ANNUAL TESTIMONY AND OVERSIGHT FROM
HOUSING REGULATORS.
Section 7 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(u) Annual Testimony.--The Secretary shall appear before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives at an annual hearing and present testimony regarding the operations of the Department during the preceding year, including--
"(1) the current programs and operations of the Department;
"(2) the physical condition of all public housing and other housing assisted by the Department;
"(3) the financial health of the mortgage insurance funds of the Federal Housing Agency;
"(4) oversight by the Department of grantees and subgrantees for purposes of preventing waste, fraud, and abuse;
"(5) the progress made by the Federal Government in ending the affordable housing and homelessness crises;
"(6) the capacity of the Department to deliver on its statutory mission; and
"(7) other ongoing activities of the Department, as appropriate.".
SEC. 702. FHA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS.
Section 202(a) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(8) Other required reporting.--The Secretary shall--
"(A) submit to Congress monthly reports on the capital ratio required under section 205(f)(2); and
"(B) notify Congress as soon as practicable after the Fund falls below the capital ratio required under section 205(f)(2).".
SEC. 703. UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS
OVERSIGHT.
Section 203(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11313(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009" and inserting "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act"; and
(B) by striking "update such plan annually" and inserting "submit to the President and Congress a report every year thereafter that includes--
"(A) the status of completion of the plan; and
"(B) any modifications that were made to the plan and the reasons for those modifications;";
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (13) as paragraphs (11) through (14), respectively;
(3) by redesignating the second paragraph (9) (relating to collecting and disseminating information) as paragraph (10);
(4) in paragraph (13), as so redesignated, by striking "and" at the end;
(5) in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
"(15) testify annually before Congress, if requested.".
SEC. 704. APPRAISAL MODERNIZATION ACT.
(a) Reconsideration of Value.--
(1) Federally backed mortgage loan defined.--In this subsection, the term "federally backed mortgage loan" has the meaning given the term in section 4022 of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9056).
(2) Requirement.--The Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration, and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency shall each implement and maintain requirements that creditors of a federally backed mortgage loan have a review and resolution procedure for a consumer-initiated reconsideration of value or subsequent appraisal in connection with a consumer credit transaction secured by a consumer's principal dwelling.
(b) Public Appraisal Database.--
(1) Covered agencies defined.--In this subsection, the term "covered agencies" means--
(A) the Federal Housing Finance Agency, on behalf of the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation;
(B) the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Federal Housing Administration;
(C) the Department of Agriculture; and
(D) the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(2) Feasibility report.--Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a public report assessing the feasibility of creating a publicly available appraisal database that consists of a searchable and downloadable appraisal-level public use file that consolidates appraisal data held or aggregated by covered agencies, including--
(A) the costs and benefits associated with establishing and maintaining the public database;
(B) the benefits and risks associated with the Federal Housing Finance Agency or the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection being responsible for the public database and whether there is another Federal agency best suited for implementing and administering such database;
(C) any safety and soundness, antitrust, or consumer privacy-related risks associated with making certain appraisal data factors publicly available, including whether--
(i) there are any existing legal requirements, including under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 (12 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) and section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the "Freedom of Information Act"), or additional actions Federal agencies could take to mitigate such risks, such as modifying or aggregating data or eliminating personally identifiable information; and
(ii) there are any data factors that, if made public, may violate conduct, ethics, or other professional standards as they relate to appraisals and appraisal or valuation professionals;
(D) the feasibility of consolidating or matching appraisal data held by covered agencies with corresponding data that are required and made public under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975 (12 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.);
(E) whether the publication of any appraisal data factors may pose unfair business advantages within the valuation industry;
(F) the feasibility of including all valuation data held by covered agencies, including data produced by automated valuation models;
(G) the feasibility and benefits of making the full appraisal dataset, including any modified fields, available to--
(i) Federal agencies, including for purposes related to enforcement and supervision responsibilities;
(ii) relevant State licensing, supervision, and enforcement agencies and State attorneys general;
(iii) approved researchers, including academics and nonprofit organizations that, in connection with their mission, work to ensure the fairness and consistency of home valuations, including appraisals; and
(iv) any other entities identified by the Comptroller General as having a compelling use for disaggregated data;
(H) what appraisal data are already available in the public domain; and
(I) the feasibility of incorporating legacy data held by covered agencies during the period beginning on January 1, 2017, and ending on the date of enactment of this Act, and whether there are specific data points not easily consolidated or matched, as described in subparagraph (D), with more recent data.
(3) Purpose.--The database described in paragraph (2) shall be used to provide the public, the Federal Government, and State governments with residential real estate appraisal data to help determine whether financial institutions, appraisal management companies, appraisers, valuation technologies, such as automated valuation models, and other valuation professionals are effectively serving the entire housing market.
(4) Consultation.--As part of the information used in the report required under paragraph (2), the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct interviews with--
(A) relevant Federal agencies;
(B) relevant State licensing, supervision, and enforcement agencies and State attorneys general;
(C) appraisers and other home valuation industry professionals;
(D) mortgage lending institutions;
(E) fair housing and fair lending experts; and
(F) any other relevant stakeholders as determined by the Comptroller General.
(5) Hearing.--Upon the completion of the report under paragraph (2), the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives shall each hold a hearing on the findings of the report and the feasibility of establishing a public appraisal-level appraisal database.
TITLE VIII--ACCOUNTABILITY, COORDINATION, STUDIES, AND REPORTING
SEC. 801. HUD-USDA-VA INTERAGENCY COORDINATION ACT.
(a) Memorandum of Understanding.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish a memorandum of understanding, or other appropriate interagency agreement, to share relevant housing-related research and market data that facilitate evidence-based policymaking.
(b) Interagency Report.--
(1) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall jointly submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report containing--
(A) a description of opportunities for increased collaboration between the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reduce inefficiencies in housing programs;
(B) a list of Federal laws (including regulations) that adversely affect the availability and affordability of new construction of assisted housing and single-family and multifamily residential housing subject to mortgages insured under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.), insured, guaranteed, or made by the Secretary of Agriculture under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.), or insured, guaranteed, or made by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code; and
(C) recommendations for Congress regarding the Federal laws (including regulations) described in subparagraph (B).
(2) Publication.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall, prior to submission under this subsection, be published in the Federal Register and open for comment for a period of 30 days.
SEC. 802.
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STREAMLINING RURAL HOUSING ACT.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to--
(1) evaluate categorical exclusions under the environmental review process for housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture;
(2) develop a process to designate a lead agency and streamline adoption of Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments approved by the other Department to construct housing projects funded by both agencies;
(3) maintain compliance with environmental regulations under part 58 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on January 1, 2025, except as required to amend, add, or remove categorical exclusions identified under section 58.35 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, through standard rulemaking procedures; and
(4) evaluate the feasibility of a joint physical inspection process for housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report that includes recommendations for legislative, regulatory, or administrative actions--
(1) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture; and
(2) that do not materially, with respect to residents of housing projects described in paragraph (1)--
(A) reduce the safety of those residents;
(B) shift long-term costs onto those residents; or
(C) undermine the environmental standards of those residents.
SEC. 803. IMPROVING SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF FAMILIES IN HUD-
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING.
(a) In General.--
(1) Study.--Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall conduct a study on the implementation of work requirements implemented prior to the date of enactment of this Act by public housing agencies described in paragraph (4) participating in the Moving to Work demonstration authorized under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note).
(2) Scope.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) consider the short-, medium-, and long-term benefits and challenges of work requirements on public housing agencies described in paragraph (4) and on program participants who are subject to such requirements, including the effects work requirements have on homelessness rates, poverty rates, asset building, earnings growth, job attainment and retention, and public housing agencies' administrative capacity; and
(B) include quantitative and qualitative evidence, including interviews with program participants described in subparagraph (A) and their respective resident councils.
(3) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on the initial findings of the study required under paragraph (1).
(4) Public housing agencies described.--The public housing agencies described in this paragraph are public housing agencies that, as part of an application to participate in the demonstration authorized under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), submit a proposal identifying work requirements as an innovative proposal.
(b) Determination.--The requirement under subsection (a) shall apply if the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines that--
(1) there are a sufficient number of public housing agencies described in subsection (a)(4) such that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development can rigorously evaluate the impact of the implementation of work requirements described in that subsection; and
(2) the study would not negatively impact low-income families receiving assistance through a public housing agency described in subsection (a)(4).
SEC. 804. GAO STUDIES.
(a) Workforce Housing Study.--
(1) Middle-income household defined.--In this subsection, the term "middle-income household" means a household with an income above 80 percent but that does not exceed 120 percent of the median family income of the area, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development with adjustments for smaller and larger families.
(2) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report that--
(A) identifies obstacles middle-income households face when looking to secure affordable housing;
(B) identifies geographic areas where housing is the most unaffordable and unavailable for middle-income households;
(C) includes a list of Federal housing programs, including Federal tax credits, grants, and loan programs, that are not available to middle-income households due to their income status, including Federal housing programs designed to promote affordability;
(D) recommends income and other parameters to establish a clear and consistent Federal definition for the term "workforce housing" for use when describing the segment of housing that could be made available to those middle-income households in Federal housing programs if funding commensurate with the additional eligibility were to be made available; and
(E) analyzes how to modify or newly develop new Federal housing programs and incentives to include "workforce housing" if funding commensurate with the additional eligibility were to be made available.
(b) Housing for Elderly or Disabled.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study and submit to Congress a report that identifies options to remove barriers and improve housing for persons who are elderly or disabled, including any potential impacts of providing capital advances for--
(1) the program for supportive housing for the elderly under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q); and
(2) the program for supportive housing for persons with disabilities under section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 8013).
(c) Proximity of Housing to Superfund Sites.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study and submit to Congress a report that identifies how many residential dwelling units, and how many dwelling units that are a part of public housing (as defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))), are located less than 1 mile from a site that is included on the National Priorities List established pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9605).
(d) Residential Heirs Property.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall carry out a study and submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report that--
(1) establishes a comprehensive definition of residential heirs property, or family land inherited without a will or legal documentation of ownership;
(2) examines the occurrence of and consequences to owners of residential heirs property, and provides an estimate regarding the number of current residential heirs properties;
(3) describes the objectives and requirements of the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act as approved by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 2010;
(4) details the various resources that may be available to the owners of residential heirs properties, including housing counseling, legal services, and financial assistance to resolve residential heirs property title issues from the Federal Government, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education; and
(5) makes recommendations with respect to how to reduce the number of residential heirs properties, including--
(A) by incentivizing States and other jurisdictions which enact or adopt the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act or similar such reforms;
(B) by awarding grants to States and other jurisdictions to assist residents of those States and jurisdictions to establish and document property ownership rights or settle a decedent's estate;
(C) by awarding grants to entities that--
(i) provide housing counseling, legal assistance, and financial assistance to home-owners and their heirs relating to title clearing and home retention efforts of heirs' property; and
(ii) target services to low- and moderate-income persons or provide services in neighborhoods that have a high concentration of low- and moderate-income persons; and
(D) by conducting other activities that assist individuals to clear title with respect to heirs' property and with general estate planning.
SEC. 805. IMPROVING PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY ACCOUNTABILITY.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered public housing agency.--The term "covered public housing agency" means a public housing agency (as defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
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1437a(b))) for which an administrative or judicial receiver or Federal monitor was appointed.
(2) Inspector general.--The term "Inspector General" means the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(3) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Required Notice.--The Secretary shall require each covered public housing agency to provide a notice each year to the Secretary that--
(1) indicates that if a receiver or Federal monitor remains appointed for the covered public housing agency as of October 1 of the calendar year to which the notice relates;
(2) provides the date on which the receiver or Federal monitor was first appointed and the projected date, if known, the appointment of the receiver or Federal monitor will be terminated; and
(3) identifies the current receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee the public housing agency.
(c) Federal Monitor and Receiver Transparency.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, not later than October 1 of each year, each receiver or Federal monitor that is currently appointed to oversee a covered public housing agency shall provide to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate a written assessment that--
(A) describes the management and oversight activities of the receiver or Federal monitor for the covered public housing agency;
(B) identifies the significant factors that led to the appointment of the receiver or Federal monitor for the covered public housing agency;
(C) identifies the factors that remain unresolved at the covered public housing agency that have led to the continued oversight of the receiver or Federal monitor; and
(D) includes a timeline developed by the receiver or Federal monitor that projects when the factors identified under subparagraphs (B) and (C) will be resolved.
(2) Additional information.--In addition to the written assessment required in paragraph (1), upon written request by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives, each receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee a covered public housing agency shall promptly furnish additional or supplemental information requested by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate or the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives with respect to the covered public housing agency that such receiver or Federal monitor is appointed to oversee, including presenting testimony upon request.
(d) Disclosure Required.--The Secretary shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, require each covered public housing agency to publicly disclose, on the website of the covered public housing agency, with respect to each contract entered into by such covered public housing
agency in the preceding year, the following information:
(1) All material information about the contract, including the goods and service provided.
(2) The identity of the vendor selected to receive the contract.
(3) The date of the solicitation of the contract.
(4) The relevant information pertaining to the bids and quotes solicited for the contract.
(5) The name of the official who solicited the contract.
(e) Inspector General Review.--Not later than 180 days after receiving a written request from the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Inspector General shall provide to the requesting committee an analysis of--
(1) the status of any covered public housing agency's compliance with any agreements entered into between the covered public housing agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including specific areas of deficiency and progress toward compliance;
(2) a review of actions taken by the receiver or Federal monitor appointed to oversee a covered public housing agency and any private sector housing development partners pursuant to such agreement, including any gaps in oversight by the receiver or Federal monitor;
(3) an assessment of the physical conditions of housing provided by the covered public housing agency, including the status of the covered public housing agency's compliance with relevant health and safety requirements;
(4) an examination of any allegations of waste, fraud, abuse or violations of Federal law committed by employees or contractors of the covered public housing agency;
(5) any additional pertinent information, as determined necessary and appropriate by the inspector general; and
(6) any recommendations of the inspector general that relate to how to improve the compliance of the covered public housing agency with any agreements entered into with the Department of Housing and Urban Development or enhance the oversight of the receiver or Federal monitor over such covered public housing agency.
TITLE IX--STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY BANKS' ROLE IN HOUSING
SEC. 901. COMMUNITY BANK DEPOSIT ACCESS.
(a) In General.--Section 29 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831f) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(j) Limited Exception for Custodial Deposits.--
"(1) In general.--Custodial deposits of an eligible institution shall not be considered to be funds obtained, directly or indirectly, by or through a deposit broker to the extent that the total amount of such custodial deposits does not exceed an amount equal to 20 percent of the total liabilities of the eligible institution.
"(2) Definitions.--In this subsection:
"(A) Custodial deposit.--The term `custodial deposit' means a deposit that is not deposited at an insured depository institution in return for fees paid by the insured depository institution pursuant to an agreement with a third party and that would otherwise be considered to be obtained, directly or indirectly, by or through a deposit broker, if the deposit is deposited at 1 or more insured depository institutions, for the purpose of providing or maintaining deposit insurance for the benefit of a third party, by or through any of the following, each acting in a formal custodial or fiduciary capacity for the benefit of a third party:
"(i) An insured depository institution serving as agent, trustee, or custodian.
"(ii) A trust entity controlled by an insured depository institution serving as agent, trustee, or custodian.
"(iii) A State-chartered trust company serving as agent, trustee, or custodian.
"(iv) A plan administrator or investment advisor, acting in a formal custodial or fiduciary capacity for the benefit of a plan.
"(B) Eligible institution.--The term `eligible institution' means an insured depository institution that accepts custodial deposits, if the insured depository institution has less than $10,000,000,000 in total assets as reported on the consolidated report of condition and income as reported quarterly to the appropriate Federal banking agency and--
"(i)(I) when most recently examined under section 10(d) was assigned a composite rating of 1, 2, or 3 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system); and
"(II) is well capitalized; or
"(ii) has obtained a waiver pursuant to subsection (c).
"(C) Plan.--The term `plan' has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002).
"(D) Plan administrator.--The term `plan administrator' has the meaning given the term `administrator' in section 3 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1002).
"(E) Well capitalized.--The term `well capitalized' has the meaning given the term in section 38(b).".
(b) Interest Rate Restriction.--Section 29 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831f), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following:
"(k) Restriction on Interest Rate Paid on Certain Custodial Deposits.--
"(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
"(A) the terms `custodial deposit', `eligible institution', and `well capitalized' have the meanings given those terms in subsection (j); and
"(B) the term `covered insured depository institution' means an insured depository institution that while acting as an eligible institution under subsection (j), accepts custodial deposits while not well capitalized.
"(2) Prohibition.--A covered insured depository institution may not pay a rate of interest on custodial deposits that are accepted while not well capitalized that, at the time the funds or custodial deposits are accepted, significantly exceeds the limit set forth in paragraph (3).
"(3) Limit on interest rates.--The limit on the rate of interest referred to in paragraph (2) shall be not greater than--
"(A) the rate paid on deposits of similar maturity in the normal market area of the covered insured depository institution for deposits accepted in the normal market area of the covered insured depository institution; or
"(B) the national rate paid on deposits of comparable maturity, as established by the Corporation, for deposits accepted outside the normal market area of the covered insured depository institution.".
SEC. 902. KEEPING DEPOSITS LOCAL.
(a) Amount of Reciprocal Deposits That Are Not Considered to Be Funds Obtained by or Through a Deposit Broker.--Section 29(i) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1831f(i)) is amended by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
"(1) In general.--The sum of the following amounts of reciprocal deposits of an agent institution shall not be considered to be funds obtained, directly or indirectly, by or through a deposit broker:
"(A) An amount equal to 50 percent of the portion of the total liabilities of the agent institution that is less than or equal to $1,000,000,000.
"(B) An amount equal to 40 percent of the portion, if any, of the total liabilities of the agent institution that is greater than $1,000,000,000, but less than or equal to $10,000,000,000.
"(C) An amount equal to 30 percent of the portion, if any, of the total liabilities of the agent institution that is greater than $10,000,000,000, but less than or equal to $96,333,333,333.".
(b) Definition of Agent Institution.--Section 29(i)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
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1831f(i)(2)(A)(i)) is amended by striking "was found to have a composite condition of outstanding or good" and inserting "was assigned a CAMELS rating of 1, 2, or 3 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system)".
(c) Reciprocal Deposits Study.--
(1) In general.--The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, in consultation with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, shall carry out a study on reciprocal deposits.
(2) Contents.--The study required under paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an analysis of how reciprocal deposits have performed since 2018, which shall include--
(i) the use of quantitative and qualitative data;
(ii) a breakdown of the usage of reciprocal deposits by size of insured depository institution;
(iii) the usage of reciprocal deposits during periods of stress; and
(iv) an analysis, to the extent practicable, of end-user depositors, such as municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, that drive demand for reciprocal products;
(B) an analysis, to the extent practicable, of how reciprocal deposits compare to other deposit arrangements; and
(C) an analysis of the benefits and potential risks of reciprocal deposits.
(3) Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation shall issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1).
SEC. 903. TAILORED REGULATORY UPDATES FOR SUPERVISORY
TESTING.
Section 10(d) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1820(d)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking "$3,000,000,000" and inserting "$6,000,000,000"; and
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking "$3,000,000,000" and inserting "$6,000,000,000".
SEC. 904. CREDIT UNION BOARD MODERNIZATION.
Section 113 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1761b) is amended--
(1) by striking "monthly" each place such term appears;
(2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "The board of directors" and inserting the following:
"(a) In General.--The board of directors";
(3) in subsection (a) (as so designated), by striking "shall meet at least once a month and"; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
"(b) Meetings.--The board of directors of a Federal credit union shall meet as follows:
"(1) With respect to a de novo Federal credit union, not less frequently than monthly during each of the first five years of the existence of such Federal credit union.
"(2) Not less than six times annually, with at least one meeting held during each fiscal quarter, with respect to a Federal credit union--
"(A) with a composite rating of either 1 or 2 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system); and
"(B) with a capability of management rating under such composite rating of either 1 or 2.
"(3) Not less frequently than once a month, with respect to a Federal credit union--
"(A) with a composite rating of either 3, 4, or 5 under the Uniform Financial Institutions Rating System (or an equivalent rating under a comparable rating system); or
"(B) with a capability of management rating under such composite rating of either 3, 4, or 5.".
SEC. 905. SYSTEMIC RISK AUTHORITY TRANSPARENCY.
(a) GAO Review.--Section 13(c)(4)(G)(iv) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1823(c)(4)(G)(iv)) is amended to read as follows:
"(iv) GAO review.--
"(I) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall, not later than 60 days after a determination is made under clause (i), and again 180 days thereafter, review and report to the Congress on the determination under clause (i), including--
"(aa) the basis for the determination;
"(bb) the purpose for which any action was taken pursuant to such clause;
"(cc) the likely effect of the determination and such action on the incentives and conduct of insured depository institutions and uninsured depositors;
"(dd) any mismanagement by the executives and board of the insured depository institution that contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution;
"(ee) a review of the compensation practices of the insured depository institution;
"(ff) any supervisory or regulatory shortcomings with respect to the appropriate Federal banking agency of the insured depository institution;
"(gg) any actions taken by the Federal banking regulators, Financial Stability Oversight Council, Department of the Treasury, and other relevant financial regulators in relation to the failure of the insured depository institution; and
"(hh) any additional relevant entities or activities that may have contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution, including with respect to auditing, accounting, credit rating agencies, investment bank underwriters, and emergency liquidity options such as loans from the Federal reserve banks or advances through the Federal Home Loan Bank system.
"(II) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this clause or a report issued pursuant to this clause may be construed to limit the authority of a Federal agency to enforce violations of Federal statutes, rules, or orders.".
(b) Appropriate Federal Banking Agency Report.--Section 13(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1823(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
"(12) Appropriate federal banking agency report.--
"(A) In general.--The appropriate Federal banking agency of an insured depository institution about which a determination is made under paragraph (4)(G)(i) shall, not later than 90 days after the date of such determination, and again 210 days thereafter, submit a report to the Congress that discloses the following:
"(i) Subject to such redactions as the appropriate Federal banking agency determines appropriate to protect personally identifiable information about customers and other financial institutions (as such term is defined under section 11(e)(9)(D))--
"(I) all reports of examination and inspection that relate to the failed insured depository institution in the previous 3-year period;
"(II) all formal communications of a material supervisory determination conveyed to the failed insured depository institution in the previous 3-year period; and
"(III) any additional exam reports and correspondence that the appropriate Federal banking agency determines may be relevant to the failure of the insured depository institution.
"(ii) An examination of any mismanagement by the executives and board of the insured depository institution that contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution.
"(iii) Any supervisory or regulatory shortcomings by such appropriate Federal banking agency with respect to the insured depository institution.
"(iv) Any dynamics that the appropriate Federal banking agency determines may have contributed to the failure of the insured depository institution.
"(v) Any supervisory, regulatory, or legislative recommendations such appropriate Federal banking agency may have to improve the safety and soundness of similarly situated insured depository institutions, the banking system, and financial stability.
"(B) Protection of sensitive information.--
"(i) Effect on privilege.--The provision of any information by a Federal banking agency under this paragraph may not be construed as--
"(I) waiving, destroying, or otherwise affecting any privilege applicable to the information; or
"(II) waiving any exemption applicable to the information under section 552 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the `Freedom of Information Act').
"(ii) Transparency.--
"(I) In general.--A Federal banking agency shall publish materials contained in a report required under subparagraph (A) to the fullest extent possible to promote transparency.
"(II) Consultation on omitting materials.--If a Federal banking agency determines particular materials described under subclause (I) should not be published, the Federal banking agency shall consult with the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate.
"(III) Omitting materials.--If, after the consultation required under subclause (II), the Federal banking agency determines there is a substantial public interest in not publishing such materials, the Federal banking agency shall provide those materials to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate with a written explanation describing the reasons for not publishing those materials.
"(iii) Privilege.--For purposes of this subparagraph, the term `privilege' includes any work-product, attorney-client, or other privilege recognized under Federal or State law.
"(C) Report extension.--A Federal banking agency may extend a deadline described under subparagraph (A) for an additional 60 days, if the Federal banking agency--
"(i) faces ongoing circumstances that require the Federal banking agency to prioritize activities to promote stability of the United States banking system; and
"(ii) notifies the Congress of such extension and the reasons for such extension.
"(D) Consolidated reports.--A Federal banking agency may consolidate multiple reports required under this paragraph so long as the individual reports being consolidated all meet the timing requirements under this paragraph.
"(E) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph or reports or materials provided pursuant to this paragraph may be construed to limit the authority of a Federal agency to enforce violations of Federal statutes, rules, or orders.".
SEC. 906. ADVANCING THE MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM FOR SMALL
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
Section 308 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C.
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1463 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
"(d) Financial Agent Mentor-protege Program.--
"(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program to be known as the `Financial Agent Mentor-Protege Program' (in this subsection referred to as the `Program') under which a financial agent designated by the Secretary or a large financial institution may serve as a mentor, under guidance or regulations prescribed by the Secretary, to a small financial institution to allow such small financial institution--
"(A) to be prepared to perform as a financial agent; or
"(B) to improve capacity to provide services to the customers of the small financial institution.
"(2) Outreach.--The Secretary shall hold outreach events to promote the participation of financial agents, large financial institutions, and small financial institutions in the Program at least once a year.
"(3) Exclusion.--The Secretary shall issue guidance or regulations to establish a process under which a financial agent, large financial institution, or small financial institution may be excluded from participation in the Program.
"(4) Report.--The Secretary shall report to Congress information pertaining to the Program, including--
"(A) the number of financial agents, large financial institutions, and small financial institutions participating in such Program; and
"(B) the number of outreach events described in paragraph (2) held during the year covered by such report.
"(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
"(A) Financial agent.--The term `financial agent' means any national banking association designated by the Secretary to be employed as a financial agent of the Government.
"(B) Large financial institution.--The term `large financial institution' means any entity regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration that has total consolidated assets greater than or equal to $50,000,000,000.
"(C) Rural depository institution.--The term `rural depository institution' means a depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813))--
"(i) with total consolidated assets of less than $10,000,000,000; and
"(ii) located in a rural area, as defined under section 1026.35(b)(2)(iv)(A) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.
"(D) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Treasury.
"(E) Small financial institution.--The term `small financial institution' means--
"(i) any entity regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration that has total consolidated assets less than or equal to $2,000,000,000;
"(ii) a minority depository institution; or
"(iii) a rural depository institution.".
SEC. 907. AMERICAN ACCESS TO BANKING.
(a) Streamlining Application Process and Review of Capital Raising by De Novo Regulated Institutions.--
(1) In general.--Each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall--
(A) for the purpose of streamlining the process of applying to become a de novo regulated institution, conduct a review of any application forms related to such process;
(B) to the extent practicable, gather information needed from applicants seeking to become a de novo regulated institution from other Federal Government agencies or public sources to minimize information requests of such applicants; and
(C) in consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, review how de novo regulated institutions raise capital while maintaining investor protections, including the impact of--
(i) general capital raising restrictions; and
(ii) capital raising restrictions related to individuals who are not accredited investors.
(2) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually for 5 years thereafter, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and publish on a public website of such agency a report that contains--
(A) a description of the actions taken by such agency pursuant to paragraph (1); and
(B) as appropriate, any administrative or legislative recommendations with respect to the purpose described in paragraph (1)(C).
(b) Improving Communication With De Novo Regulated Institutions.--
(1) In general.--Each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall, at the request of an applicant to become a de novo regulated institution, designate an employee of the agency as a caseworker, who may perform such duty in addition to the other duties of the employee.
(2) Caseworker duties.--Each caseworker described in paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable--
(A) meet with the lead organizers applying to become a de novo regulated institution to provide a tutorial with respect to the application process; and
(B) be the primary point of contact of the respective Federal financial institutions regulatory agency for such organizers during the application process.
(3) New caseworker.--Each agency described in paragraph (1) may designate a new caseworker, as appropriate, to support continuity based on staffing and responsibilities assigned to the current caseworker.
(c) De Novo Mentor-protege Partnerships.--
(1) In general.--At the request of an institution that seeks to become a de novo regulated institution, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide a list to such institution of similar types of institutions that--
(A) were recently approved to become a de novo regulated institution; and
(B) are interested in volunteering to serve as a mentor to provide advice about the de novo application process.
(2) Mentorship information.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall provide public information and directions on how an institution may request a mentor or serve as a mentor as described in paragraph (1).
(d) State and Stakeholder Engagement Plan.--
(1) In general.--Each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall develop a plan to--
(A) regularly consult with State regulators to promote cooperation between State and Federal banking and credit union agencies in the creation of de novo regulated institutions, including responding to any State regulator that requests assistance on how a State-chartered financial institution can request Federal insurance;
(B) regularly consult with stakeholders, including applicants to become de novo regulated institutions and recently approved regulated institutions, to inform any reforms that may support the creation of de novo regulated institutions, including rural institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions; and
(C) provide guidance, training material, and regular workshops to assist any interested parties to understand such agencies' processes.
(2) Submission to congress.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall submit to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate the respective plan of such agency described in paragraph (1).
(B) Public comment.--With respect to developing the plan described in paragraph (1), each of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies shall--
(i) provide an opportunity for public comments; and
(ii) take such public comments into consideration.
(e) Definitions.--
(1) In general.--In this section:
(A) Federal banking agency.--The term "Federal banking agency" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(B) Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies.--The term "Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies" has the meaning given the term in section 1003 of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. 3302).
(C) Regulated institution.--The term "regulated institution" means--
(i) with respect to a Federal banking agency, a depository institution (as such term is defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813)) for which the Federal banking agency is the appropriate Federal banking agency (as such term is defined in such section 3); and
(ii) with respect to the National Credit Union Administration, an insured credit union (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)).
(D) State.--The term "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, and each territory of the United States.
(E) State regulator.--The term "State regulator" means--
(i) with respect to a Federal banking agency, a State banking regulator; and
(ii) with respect to the National Credit Union Administration, the State regulatory agency having jurisdiction over a State credit union (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. 1752)).
(2) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this section, the process of applying to become a de novo regulated institution shall include the process of applying for Federal deposit insurance, Federal share insurance, or membership in the Federal Reserve System.
SEC. 908.
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PROMOTING NEW BANK FORMATION.
(a) Pilot Phase-in of Capital Standards.--The Federal banking agencies may issue rules that provide for a 2-year phase-in period for a qualifying community bank or its depository institution holding company to meet any Federal capital requirements that would otherwise be applicable to the qualifying community bank or its depository institution holding company, beginning on--
(1) the date on which the qualifying community bank became an insured depository institution; or
(2) in the case of its depository institution holding company, the date on which the qualifying community bank of the depository institution holding company became an insured depository institution.
(b) Pilot Changes to Business Plans.--
(1) In general.--During the 2-year period beginning on the date on which a qualifying community bank became an insured depository institution, the qualifying community bank or its depository institution holding company may request to deviate from a business plan that has been approved by the appropriate Federal banking agency by submitting a request to such agency pursuant to this section.
(2) Review of changes.--The appropriate Federal banking agency shall, not later than the end of the 180-day period beginning on the receipt of a request under paragraph (1)--
(A) approve, conditionally approve, or deny such request; and
(B) notify the applicant of such decision and, if the agency denies the request--
(i) provide the applicant with the reason for such denial; and
(ii) suggest changes to the request that, if adopted, would allow the agency to approve such request.
(3) Result of failure to act.--If the appropriate Federal banking agency fails to approve or deny a request within the 90-day period required under paragraph (2), such request shall be deemed to be approved.
(c) Pilot Program Study.--
(1) Study.--The Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, carry out a study on the impact of the pilot program carried out pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section on the formation of de novo insured depository institutions, including such institutions which are rural depository institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions, taking into account safety and soundness, promoting competition, and expanding access to affordable financial products and services to underserved communities.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than December 31, 2031, the Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1).
(d) Study on De Novo Insured Depository Institutions.--
(1) Study.--The Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, carry out a study on--
(A) the principal causes for the low number of de novo insured depository institutions in the 10-year period ending on the date of enactment of this subsection;
(B) ways to promote more de novo insured depository institutions in areas currently underserved by insured depository institutions; and
(C) ways to ensure de novo depository institutions, including institutions which are rural depository institutions, community development financial institutions, and minority depository institutions, can utilize the Community Bank Leverage Ratio.
(2) Report to congress.--Not later than the end of the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, issue a report to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under paragraph (1).
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate federal banking agency.--The term "appropriate Federal banking agency" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(2) Depository institution.--The term "depository institution" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(3) Depository institution holding company.--The term "depository institution holding company" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(4) Federal banking agency.--The term "Federal banking agency" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(5) Insured depository institution.--The term "insured depository institution" has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(6) Qualifying community bank.--The term "qualifying community bank" means a depository institution that--
(A) including its holding company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates, has total combined assets of less than $10,000,000,000; and
(B) became an insured depository institution between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2028.
SEC. 909. RURAL DEPOSITORIES REVITALIZATION STUDY.
(a) Study.--The Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, carry out a study--
(1) to identify methods to improve the growth, capital adequacy, and profitability of depository institutions in the United States that primarily serve rural areas; and
(2) to identify Federal statutes (other than appropriations Acts) or regulations of the Federal banking agencies that limit--
(A) the methods identified under paragraph (1); or
(B) the establishment of de novo depository institutions in rural areas.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal banking agencies shall, jointly, issue a report to Congress containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection (a).
(c) Study on Rural Credit Unions.--The National Credit Union Administration shall carry out a study--
(1) to identify methods to improve the growth, capital adequacy, and profitability of credit unions in the United States that primarily serve rural areas; and
(2) to identify Federal statutes (other than appropriations Acts) or regulations of the National Credit Union Administration that limit--
(A) the methods identified under paragraph (1); or
(B) the establishment of de novo credit unions in rural areas.
(d) Report on Rural Credit Unions.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Credit Union Administration shall issue a report to Congress containing all findings and determinations made in carrying out the study required under subsection (c).
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Depository institution.--The term "depository institution" has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813).
(2) Federal banking agencies.--The term "Federal banking agencies" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(3) Rural.--With respect to an area, the term "rural" has the meaning given that term in section 1026.35(b)(2)(iv)(A) of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations.
SEC. 1001. HOMES ARE FOR PEOPLE, NOT CORPORATIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Consumer reporting agency.--The term "consumer reporting agency" has the meaning given the term in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C.
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1681a)).
(2) Excepted purchase.--The term "excepted purchase" means any purchase of a single-family home that is--
(A) newly constructed, renovated, or a rental conversion for sale by a large institutional investor and not as a residence rented pending sale;
(B) pursuant to a build-to-rent program where the large institutional investor purchases, constructs, or constructs and retains a newly constructed single-family homes to be managed as a rental property, whether as part of a community made up exclusively of renter-occupied single-family homes or as part of a community made up of single-family homes that are both owner- and renter-occupied;
(C) pursuant to a renovate-to-rent program that--
(i) substantially rehabilitates single-family homes that do not meet structural or core system elements of local building codes; and
(ii) makes improvements in an aggregate dollar amount of not less than 15 percent of the purchase price of the single-family home;
(D) pursuant to a homeownership program that--
(i) requires rental payments and any other fees that are not greater than those collected by the large institutional investor on other similarly situated single-family homes not covered by the eligible homeownership program;
(ii) is subject to a contract between the large institutional investor and renter that shall be considered a consumer credit transaction secured by a dwelling or real property;
(iii) provides for positive reporting of rental payments to consumer reporting agencies for any renter, who shall be informed of and opts into such reporting; and
(iv) requires contribution of meaningful financial support from the large institutional investor, including price concessions, for the purchase of the single-family home by the renter;
(E) pursuant to a program to boost homeownership that--
(i) provides for positive reporting of rental payments to consumer reporting agencies for any renter, who shall be informed of and opts into such reporting;
(ii) provides for the right of first refusal and a 30-day "first look" period; and
(iii) may entail the meaningful financial support from the large institutional investor, including price concessions, for the purchase of a single-family home by the renter (whether it is the home the renter occupies or another home);
(F) in connection with the satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith and where the large institutional investor has the right to repossess the single-family home under such contract;
(G) undertaken by a mortgage servicer, lender, or other entity that has a legal right to a single-family home, for the purpose of loss mitigation or compliance with servicing or investor obligations, and not as a long-term investment strategy, and is solely as a result of--
(i) a foreclosure;
(ii) a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure;
(iii) enforcement of a mortgage, deed of trust, or other security interest; or
(iv) operation of law following borrower default;
(H) purchased from another large institutional investor that either owned the single-family home on the date of enactment of this Act or purchased the single-family home in compliance with this section;
(I) purchased from an investor not covered under this section, so long as the purchase occurred not more than 2 years after the effective date under subsection (f);
(J) newly constructed, renovated, or a rental conversion that is intended and operated for occupancy as part of a community for households with 1 or more members aged 55 years or older, and satisfies visitability standards established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; or
(K) purchased through a single purchase or combination or series of purchases described in subparagraphs (A) through (J).
(3) Large institutional investor.--
(A) In general.--The term "large institutional investor"--
(i) means an investment fund, corporation, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, or other for-profit entity that is a legal entity structured in a manner that is not aforementioned that--
(I) is engaged, in whole or in part, in the business of investing in, owning, renting, managing, or holding single-family homes; and
(II) alone or in concert with 1 or more other entities, beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, directly or indirectly has investment control of not less than 350 single-family homes in the aggregate, not including any single-family home purchased in an excepted purchase made after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(ii) does not include any local, State, Tribal, or Federal government entity or instrumentality thereof.
(B) Rule of construction.--For purposes of this paragraph, an entity has direct or indirect investment control over a single-family home if the entity--
(i) owns, or has primary authority or fiduciary responsibility to make material investment or management decisions relating to, the single-family home;
(ii) is, or directly or indirectly controls, the general partner or managing member of the entity that owns the single-family home;
(iii) is or controls the investment manager, management company, or investment advisor of the entity that owns the single-family home;
(iv) owns or controls more than 25 percent of any class of equity interests of the entity
that owns the single-family home, unless such entity is a passive investor; or
(v) otherwise controls the entity that owns the single-family home.
(4) Purchase.--The term "purchase" includes any purchase, transfer, or other acquisition of a single family home, including through mergers, acquisitions, construction, foreclosures, or bulk purchases, whether or not for cash consideration.
(5) Single-family home.--The term "single-family home"--
(A) means a structure that contains 2 or fewer dwelling units that are each intended for residential occupancy by a single household; and
(B) does not include a manufactured home, as defined in section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
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5402).
(b) Prohibition on Purchases by Large Institutional Investors.--
(1) In general.--No large institutional investor may purchase, or enter into a contract to directly or indirectly purchase, any single-family home.
(2) Exceptions.--The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall not apply to--
(A) any excepted purchase; or
(B) any purchase of a single-family home in connection with a restructuring or other reorganization of ownership of single-family homes that were owned or purchased on or before the date of enactment of this Act.
(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to--
(A) require any large institutional investor to divest or otherwise sell any single-family home purchased before the date of enactment of this Act; or
(B) prevent the filing of a petition, or otherwise affect any bankruptcy proceeding, under title 11, United States Code.
(4) Implementation.--
(A) In general.--In consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Director of Federal Housing Finance Agency, and the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Secretary of the Treasury may issue regulations in accordance with the notice and comment rulemaking procedures under section 553 of title 5, United States Code, to carry out the purposes of this section, including regulations to--
(i) minimize market disruptions upon identifying a risk of material negative impact on the housing market, including an impact on the ability of market participants to dispose of single-family homes in an orderly fashion; and
(ii) mitigate, to the extent possible, negative impacts on consumers and communities.
(B) Rule of construction.--For the avoidance of doubt, no regulation issued under subparagraph (A) may amend the definitions of the terms defined under subsection (a), including to--
(i) alter the scope of excepted purchases in a manner that would undermine the goal of expanding the number of single-family homes available to individual households for purchase;
(ii) alter any type of excepted purchase in a manner that would undermine the goal of expanding the number of single-family homes available to individual households for purchase;
(iii) add any category of large institutional investor as an eligible class if not determined by this section; or
(iv) alter the quantitative threshold in the definition of "large institutional investor".
(c) Renter Outreach Resource Established.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (in this subsection referred to as the "Secretary") shall, not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, establish a renter outreach resource that consists of a toll-free telephone number and a public website designed to assist renters of residential properties owned by a large institutional investor in--
(A) notifying Federal agencies about disputes relating to the rental of such properties, including disputes about potential violations of Federal law;
(B) sharing information about such disputes with other Federal agencies, including other Federal agencies that manage similar disputes;
(C) monitoring such disputes; and
(D) resolving such disputes, to the extent practicable.
(2) Response to outreach.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish reasonable procedures to--
(i) promptly respond, in writing where appropriate, to a renter who provides information to the Secretary about a dispute using the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1); and
(ii) document such responses.
(B) Contents.--Responses provided under subparagraph (A) shall include, where appropriate, information about--
(i) steps that have been taken by the Secretary or another Federal agency in response to the information about the dispute provided by the renter, including determining the appropriate large institutional investor involved as described in paragraph (3);
(ii) any responses received by the Secretary or another Federal agency from the large institutional investor related to such dispute; and
(iii) any outcome of the dispute, to the extent practicable.
(3) Investigation of potential violations of federal law.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall promptly process and investigate any information relating to a dispute received through the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1) about a potential violation of Federal law that is received from a renter of a residential property owned by a large institutional investor through the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1), including--
(i) requesting information from a large institutional investor;
(ii) determining the appropriate large institutional investor involved in the dispute; and
(iii) sharing information about such potential violation of Federal law with any relevant Federal agencies, as the Secretary may determine appropriate.
(B) Responses to requests for information.--Upon request for information made pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall provide a large institutional investor the opportunity to respond, including regarding whether such large institutional investor currently owns the property described in such request for information.
(4) Information for appropriate state authority.--When the Secretary receives information about a potential violation of State law or about a dispute received through the renter outreach resource, from a renter of a residential property owned by a large institutional investor through the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, at a minimum, provide the renter with contact information for the appropriate, State-specific, State authority authorized to process and investigate such information.
(5) Notice about renter outreach resource.--Each large institutional investor shall--
(A) provide to each renter of a residential property owned by such investor at the time such renter first occupies such home and annually thereafter--
(i) written notice about the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1); and
(ii) the name, phone number, and email address of the person or entity responsible for receiving and addressing renter disputes for the large institutional investor, and update the name, phone number, and email address within 30 days if such information changes prior to the subsequent time at which such notice is required to be provided; and
(B) prominently feature information about the renter outreach resource established under paragraph (1) on a public website of such investor that is accessible by such renter.
(6) Annual report to the congress.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall, not later than March 31 of each year, submit to the Congress a public report which analyzes and aggregates the information received or obtained pursuant to this subsection during the prior year that includes--
(i) information about the types and the number of disputes received about potential violations of Federal law;
(ii) information about the types and the number of disputes received about potential violations of State law;
(iii) where practicable, information about the resolution of such disputes; and
(iv) information provided to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under paragraph (8).
(B) Anonymization of data.--Any data included in a report that is submitted under this paragraph shall be aggregated or anonymized so as to protect any individual dispute or personally identifiable information received through the renter outreach resource.
(7) Protection of personal information.--In complying with the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall take such measures as the Secretary determines are necessary to provide for the protection of personally identifiable information received through the renter outreach resource in a manner that conforms with existing standards for protection of the confidentiality of personally identifiable information.
(8) Annual notification.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not later than December 31st of each year thereafter, each person or entity that satisfies the definition of a large institutional investor, as such term is defined in subsection (a), shall--
(A) notify the Secretary each year whether such owner is a large institutional investor as defined in subsection (a); and
(B) in such notification, identify how many single-family homes such large institutional investor has direct or indirect investment control of as of the date of the submission of such notice, and the city and State where each such single-family home is located, unless such large institutional investor owns 10 or fewer single-family homes in such city.
(d) Enforcement.--
(1) Civil penalties.--The Secretary of the Treasury, or the Attorney General at the request of the Secretary of the Treasury, may bring an action against a large institutional investor that violates subsection (b) for a civil penalty in an amount that is not more than $1,000,000 per violation, or 3 times the purchase price of the property involved, whichever is greater.
(2) Transfer to hud for homeownership expansion activities.--For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts, civil penalties assessed under this section shall be transferred to and available to the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development to provide additional funding for the HOME Investment Partnerships program under subtitle A of title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C.
Text printed in the Record (5,000 characters)
12741 et seq.), to be allocated in accordance with the formula under that program, for new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of single-family homes and to provide assistance grants to first-time homebuyers, which may be for downpayments, closing costs, and interest rate buydowns.
(e) Studies on Large Institutional Investors.--
(1) Gao report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the prohibition under subsection (b)(1) takes effect, and again not later than 10 years after that date, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on--
(A) the impact of the ownership by large institutional investors of single-family homes on housing availability and affordability for renters and homebuyers; and
(B) the effectiveness of this section in reducing demand by large institutional investors for single-family homes and expanding homeownership for renters and homebuyers.
(2) Hud report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which the prohibition under subsection (b)(1) takes effect, and again not later than 10 years after that date, the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Administrator of the Rural Housing Service, the Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Chair of Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on--
(A) whether there should be adjustments to the definition of the term "large institutional investor";
(B) the financial impact of this section on large institutional investors, renters, and homebuyers; and
(C) any legislative recommendations regarding ways to improve the authorities provided under this section to increase the supply and affordability of single-family homes for purchase by individual homebuyers.
(3) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
(A) this section is intended to expand the number of single-family homes available to individuals for purchase and is aimed at preserving and expanding the supply of single-family homes available to individuals; and
(B) any further study on the effectiveness of this section and any legislative recommendations therefrom should consider this sense of Congress.
(f) Effective Date.--The requirements and prohibitions under subsections (b) and (d) of this section--
(1) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act; and
(2) are repealed on the date that is 15 years after the effective date under paragraph (1).
SEC. 1101. CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY.
The Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 221 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 16 (12 U.S.C. 411 et seq.) the following:
"SEC. 16A. CENTRAL BANK DIGITAL CURRENCY.
"(a) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Central bank digital currency.--The term `central bank digital currency' means a digital asset that--
"(A) is denominated in United States dollars;
"(B) is a United States currency;
"(C) is a direct liability of the Federal Reserve System; and
"(D) is widely available to the general public.
"(2) Digital asset.--The term `digital asset' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the GENIUS Act (12 U.S.C. 5901).
"(b) Prohibition.--Except as provided in subsection (c), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or a Federal reserve bank may not issue or create a central bank digital currency or any digital asset that is substantially similar to a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly through a financial institution or other intermediary.
"(c) Exception.--Subsection (b) shall not prohibit any dollar-denominated currency that is open, permissionless, and private, and fully preserves the privacy protections of United States coins and physical currency.
"(d) Sunset.--This provisions of this section shall cease to be effective on December 31, 2030.
"(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to issue a central bank digital currency or any digital asset that is substantially similar to a central bank digital currency directly or indirectly absent authorization by an Act of Congress.".
SEC. 1201. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of the Act, and the application of such provisions to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 1202. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the requirements of this Act or any amendment made by this Act.
Text of Senate Amendment 5824
Page S2859 · Official textSA 5824. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to amendment SA 5823 proposed by Mr. Thune to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
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At the end add the following:
"This Act shall take effect 1 day after the date of enactment."
Text of Senate Amendment 5825
Page S2859 · Official textSA 5825. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
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At the end add the following:
"This Act shall take effect 4 days after the date of enactment"
Text of Senate Amendment 5826
Page S2859 · Official textSA 5826. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to amendment SA 5825 proposed by Mr. Thune to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
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Strike "4 days" and insert "3 days"
Text of Senate Amendment 5827
Page S2859 · Official textSA 5827. Mr. THUNE proposed an amendment to amendment SA 5826 proposed by Mr. Thune to the amendment SA 5825 proposed by Mr. Thune to the bill H.R. 6644, a bill to increase the supply of housing in America, and for other purposes; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (35 characters)
Strike "3 days" and insert "2 days"
Text of Senate Amendment 5828
Pages S2859–S2861 · Official textSA 5828. Mr. KING submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
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At the appropriate place in title VII, insert the following:
SEC. 7__. PRE-TRANSITION HEALTH CARE REGISTRATION OF MEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES TO STREAMLINE RECEIPT OF
HEALTH CARE FROM DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS.
(a) Health Care Pre-Registration.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1705A the following new section:
"Sec. 1705B. Management of health care: registration in pre-
transition system and facilitation of enrollment
"(a) Pre-Transition System.--
"(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days before the anticipated separation from the Armed Forces of a member of the Armed Forces, the Secretary shall automatically register such member in the pre-transition health care registration system.
"(2) Registration.--Registration of a member of the Armed Forces in the pre-transition health care registration system under paragraph (1) shall consist of the entry of relevant information of such member into such system so as to facilitate and permit, at a future date, a final determination with respect to the enrollment of such member in the patient enrollment system if such member elects to enroll in the patient enrollment system and is eligible to enroll in the patient enrollment system.
"(b) Facilitation of Enrollment in Patient Enrollment System.--
"(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after separation of a covered individual from the Armed Forces, or as soon as feasibly possible following such separation, the Secretary shall engage with such individual--
"(A) to assist and facilitate the completion of the process for enrollment of such individual in the patient enrollment system, to include the appropriate electronic or paper forms; and
"(B) to schedule an initial primary care or other health appointment for such individual under the laws administered by the Secretary if the individual is interested in such an appointment.
"(2) Communication efforts.--Communication to a covered individual under paragraph (1) shall be conducted through a combination of effective mechanisms to include by electronic means through email and text message, paper mail, and by phone.
"(3) Covered individual defined.--In this subsection, the term `covered individual' means an individual who--
"(A) is eligible for or expected to be eligible for enrollment in the patient enrollment system; and
"(B) is not yet enrolled in such system.
"(c) Outreach.--
"(1) Pre-transition.--
"(A) In general.--To the greatest extent feasible, the Secretary shall conduct timely outreach to members of the Armed Forces registered in the pre-transition health care registration system, in advance of their separation from the Armed Forces, to explain--
"(i) what such registration means in practical terms;
"(ii) what steps each such member will need to take after separation from the Armed Forces to fully enroll, if eligible, in the patient enrollment system;
"(iii) health care services that may be available to such member upon enrollment in such system, including the general rules of eligibility for such services;
"(iv) health care services that may be available to such member regardless of enrollment in such system, including counseling for military sexual trauma and services from Vet Centers (as defined in section 1712A of this title), including the general rules of eligibility for such services; and
"(v) the steps required to access services described in clauses (iii) and (iv).
"(B) Outreach efforts.--Outreach to a member of the Armed Forces required under subparagraph (A) shall be conducted through a combination of effective mechanisms, including by electronic means through email and text message, paper mail, and by phone.
"(2) After enrollment.--
"(A) In general.--Not less frequently than once during the 180-day period following the enrollment of an individual in the patient enrollment system, the Secretary shall contact any such individual who has not scheduled a primary care appointment or other health appointment under the laws administered by the Secretary and offer to schedule such appointment should such individual be interested in doing so.
"(B) Conduct of outreach.--The Secretary may conduct outreach under subparagraph (A) as part of the Solid Start program under section 6320 of this title, other existing processes of the Department, or any new process as the Secretary determines appropriate.
"(d) Definitions.--In this section:
"(1) Patient enrollment system.--The term `patient enrollment system' means the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of this title.
"(2) Pre-transition health care registration system.--The term `pre-transition health care registration system' means an information technology or other system or systems of the Department in which the Department enters or stores the relevant information of a transitioning member of the Armed Forces so as to facilitate and permit, at a future date, a final enrollment determination with respect to the enrollment of such member in the patient enrollment system.".
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1705A the following new item:
"1705B. Management of health care: registration in pre-transition system and facilitation of enrollment.". (3) Effective date.--This subsection and the amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and apply to any member of the Armed Forces who is anticipated to separate from the Armed Forces on and after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Establishment of System.--(1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall establish and implement an automated process to implement the pre-transition health care registration system required under section 1705B(a) of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1). (2) Briefings on initial implementation.--Not later than each of 180 days, one year, and two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of Defense Joint Executive Committee established under section 320 of title 38, United States Code, shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress a briefing on the implementation of the process required under paragraph (1). (c) Coordination With Department of Defense.--(1) In general.--In implementing the requirements of this section and the amendments made by this section, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may integrate and coordinate such implementation with the Solid Start program of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 6320 of title 38, United States Code, other existing processes of the Department, or any new process as the Secretary determines appropriate to ensure collaboration and coordination with relevant programs of the Department of Defense. (2) Inclusion in transition assistance program.--On and after the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall include an explanation of the pre-transition health care registration system required under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), as part of the Transition Assistance Program of the Department of Defense. (d) Requirement to Create and Maintain Simple and Streamlined Process for Pre-Registration and Enrollment.--(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall make enrollment in the patient enrollment system, including pre-transition health care registration under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), a simple and streamlined process for all transitioning members of the Armed Forces and veterans--(A) to facilitate access to and utilization of services from the Department of Veterans Affairs to which such individuals are entitled; (B) to ensure such individuals have a healthy and smooth transition out of the Armed Forces into civilian life as veterans; (C) to support the mental and physical health of such individuals; and (D) to reduce, to the greatest extent possible, veteran suicide. (2) Improvement of process.--The Secretary shall continuously monitor, improve, and modernize the process described in paragraph (1). (e) Outreach and Engagement.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall--(1) proactively conduct outreach to transitioning and recently transitioned members of the Armed Forces to assist such members in enrolling in the patient enrollment system; (2) proactively and regularly engage with veterans already enrolled in the patient enrollment system to offer assistance in accessing health care services under such system; (3) proactively and regularly engage with veterans who may not be eligible for enrollment in the patient enrollment system but may be eligible to access certain specific health services of the Department; (4) proactively engage with veterans from traditionally under-represented groups, to include women veterans, minority veterans, Native American veterans, Native Hawaiian veterans, Alaska Native veterans, and LGBTQIA+ veterans; and (5) engage with veterans who are eligible but not enrolled in the patient enrollment system and offer information and assistance regarding the steps to facilitate enrollment in such system. (f) Annual Report on Pre-Transition Registration.--Section 8111(f)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (E) and (F) as subparagraphs (F) and (G), respectively; and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following new subparagraph (E): "(E) With respect to the registration of members of the Armed Forces in the pre-transition health care registration system under section 1705B of this title during the preceding fiscal year, the following: "(i) The number of members of the Armed Forces who were registered in such system. "(ii) The number of such members who subsequently applied for enrollment in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of this title. "(iii) The aggregated disposition of each such application for enrollment, whether denied or approved, and a reason for any denial, if available. "(iv) Aggregated demographic information for members of the Armed Forces described in clauses (i) and (ii), including age, gender, ethnicity, length of service, military rank, and branch of service. "(v) Any information on health care utilization rates based on registration in the pre-transition health care registration system under section 1705B of this title that the Secretary considers relevant. "(vi) Any additional observations or information the Secretary considers relevant regarding the impact of pre-transition health care registration on streamlining and improving the transition from the Armed Forces to civilian life.".
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(g) Reports.--(1) Report on feasibility and advisability of permitting members of the armed forces to receive pre-separation health appointment with department of veterans affairs.--(A) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the feasibility and advisability of permitting transitioning members of the Armed Forces, including those on separation leave, while still on active duty, to receive at least one no-cost health care appointment at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs--(i) to familiarize the member with the health services of the Department prior to the member leaving the Armed Forces; and (ii) to improve the transition process and health and wellness of the member once they have transitioned to civilian life. (B) Elements.--The report required under subparagraph (A) shall include the following: (i) A description of the reasons the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has determined the policy described in such subparagraph is feasible and advisable or not. (ii) An identification of changes to law that would be required or recommended to make such policy feasible and advisable. (iii) If the Secretary determines such policy is feasible and advisable, a proposed schedule and timeline to implement such policy and an estimate of costs to implement and sustain such policy. (iv) Such other information as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Report on efforts to improve enrollment.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report containing the following:
(A) An assessment of the efforts of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as follows:
(i) To develop and implement a system or systems, and processes to implement such a system or systems, to notify veterans who receive a positive adjudication for a service-connected disability and are not already enrolled in the patient enrollment system regarding how to enroll in the patient enrollment system, should they be inclined to enroll.
(ii) To pre-populate information in the pre-transition health care registration system required under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), using data available within the Department of Veterans Affairs, other Federal agencies, or State agencies or other appropriate commercial or publicly available information so as to assist transitioning members of the Armed Forces with completing the process of enrollment in the patient enrollment system, and to simplify and streamline enrollment in such system, including--
(I) a description of any roadblocks to pre-populating such information;
(II) a description of any challenges in receiving relevant information from any Federal agency or State agency; and
(III) an identification of any legislative action that may be required to improve the collection of data necessary to carry out this clause.
(B) An assessment of any challenges experienced by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in receiving timely and reliable electronic information, data feeds, and notifications from the Department of Defense, other Federal agencies, or non-Federal entities regarding the separation from the Armed Forces of members of the Armed Forces, including--
(i) specific requests for legislative action to improve data transmission from the Department of Defense or other Federal agencies to the Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(ii) a description of policy reforms to require the military departments to report to the Secretary of Defense known or anticipated separations in a more timely manner.
(C) The identification of an individual in a Senior Executive Service position (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code), or equivalent, and office within the Department of Veterans Affairs that is coordinating or will coordinate all programs of the Department relating to improving the registration and enrollment of transitioning or transitioned members of the Armed Forces in health care services of the Department (including pursuant to this section and the amendments made by this section) and the usage by such members of those services, to include the following programs and offices:
(i) The Solid Start program of the Department under section 6320 of title 38, United States Code.
(ii) The Federal Recovery Consultant Office of the Department.
(iii) The Post-9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program of the Department.
(iv) The Liaison Program of the Department.
(v) The Concierge for Care Program of the Department.
(vi) The office of the Department responsible for carrying out the pre-transition health care registration system under section 1705B of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).
(vii) Other similar or successor programs or offices of the Department.
(D) A description of how the individual and office identified under subparagraph (C) manages or will manage various programs across the Department, to include--
(i) programs under the Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Benefits Administration, and other entities of the Department that have different reporting chains;
(ii) an identification of metrics that are used or will be used to monitor program goals;
(iii) an identification of steps that can be taken to improve management and outcomes of such programs, to include collaboration and coordination with relevant programs of the Department of Defense; and
(iv) an organizational chart to show how efforts described under this subparagraph are managed across the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(h) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section or the amendments made by this section shall be construed to require any member of the Armed Forces, former member of the Armed Forces, or veteran to use any service of the Department of Veterans Affairs or to enroll in the patient enrollment system.
(i) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term "appropriate committees of Congress" means--
(A) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans Affairs' of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Veterans Affairs' of the House of Representatives.
(2) Patient enrollment system.--The term "patient enrollment system" means the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code.
Text of Senate Amendment 5829
Page S2861 · Official textSA 5829. Mr. KING (for himself and Mr. Cramer) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4784, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2027 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
Text printed in the Record (2,310 characters)
At the appropriate place in subtitle E of title V, insert the following:
SEC. __. PRESENTATION TO PROMOTE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO
VETERANS IN PRESEPARATION COUNSELING UNDER THE
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
"(20) A presentation that promotes the benefits available to veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Such presentation--
"(A) shall be standardized;
"(B) shall, before implementation, be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in collaboration with veterans service organizations that provide claims assistance under the benefits delivery at discharge program of the Department of Veterans Affairs;
"(C) shall be submitted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives for review at least 90 days before implementation;
"(D) where available, shall be presented with the participation of--
"(i) a representative of a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of title 38; or
"(ii) an individual--
"(I) recognized under section 5903 of such title; and
"(II) authorized by the Secretary concerned to so participate;
"(E) shall include information on how a veterans service organization may assist the member in filing a claim described in paragraph (19);
"(F) may not encourage the member to join a particular veterans service organization; and
"(G) may not exceed one hour in duration.".
(b) Annual Report.--Not less than frequently than once each year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report that--
(1) identifies each veterans service organization that participated in a presentation under paragraph (20) of section 1142(b) of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a);
(2) contains the number of members of the Armed Forces who attended such presentations; and
(3) includes any recommendations of the Secretary regarding changes to such presentation or to such paragraph.
Authority for Committees to Meet
Page S2861 · Official textMr. President, I have three requests for committees to meet during today's session of the Senate. They have the approval of the Majority and Minority Leaders.
Pursuant to rule XXVI, paragraph 5(a), of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the following committees are authorized to meet during today's session of the Senate:
The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 2 p.m., to conduct a hearing.
The Select Committee on Intelligence is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 3 p.m., to conduct a closed briefing.
The Subcommittee on Airland of the Committee on Armed Services is authorized to meet during the session of the Senate on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 4:15 p.m., to conduct a hearing.
Orders for Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Pages S2861–S2862 · Official textMr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, morning business be closed, and the Senate proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the Steel nomination; further, that the cloture motions filed during Monday's session of the Senate ripen at 11:45 a.m., and if cloture is invoked on the Steel nomination, the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination at 2:15 p.m.; finally, that if any nominations are confirmed during Wednesday's session of the Senate, the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
Order for Adjournment
Page S2862 · Official textMr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask that it stand adjourned under the previous order, following the remarks of my colleagues.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Without objection, it is so ordered.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Alabama.
Unanimous Consent Request--S. 4177
Pages S2862–S2865 · Official textMr. President, I want to bring up a subject today that is close and dear to my heart. You know, four things that made this country strong--make it the best country in the world--is God, family, military, and sports.
You learn a lot of things out of those four. It makes us strong, and we have kept that pretty much in that order for a long, long time.
But I would like to say today that I think most--even some of my colleagues in here today--college sports is in trouble, not just men but also women. Before I was elected, I spent 40 years coaching. I coached girls basketball. That was a thrill. I coached college football for a long time as assistant and head coach--best job I ever had.
But it is not about championships or packed stadiums or television. It is the best job because you had an opportunity to help people--young people--get them on the right track. And that is what sports does.
As a coach, you are just not calling plays on Saturday. That is just a small part of the job. You are helping young people prepare for life after the whistle. You are teaching discipline, accountability. You are teaching young men and women how to make a good decision under pressure, how to handle success and how to handle failure and how to keep their word when things get bad.
But above all, you are helping them to succeed in the classroom. You are making sure that they go to class, stay academically eligible, and leave school with something more than a letter jacket. That is what college athletics is supposed to be about.
It is supposed to give young people the opportunity to compete at the highest level and have an ultimate goal. But the ultimate goal that I always taught my players--and I think most coaches have--is not just the sports end of it but get a good education.
College athletics should be a pathway to a degree, a meaningful career, and a better future long after the final whistle blows.
The lessons learned through sports--discipline, accountability, teamwork, perseverance--they really matter. But they are the most valuable when paired with education that prepares young people for life beyond the playing field.
This is why the term "student-athlete," not "athlete-student," is spoken in athletics in college sports. Athletics should support education, not replace it. Education must come first.
I retired from coaching 10 years ago, in 2016. A few things have changed in the world of college sports since that time. A series of court decisions, State laws, NCAA rule changes have opened the door for student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness--often called NIL. It has been a popular topic for now 10 years.
And let me be clear about this. I think it is great that students can profit from their name, image, and likeness. I am all for it. I was for them making money when I was coaching. They should be able to benefit from the value that they create.
For years, everyone around college sports made money--schools, conferences, television networks, sponsors, coaches--while the athletes were told they could not make any money. That needed to change, and it did.
NIL is here to stay. No one should be trying to take money away from student-athletes. It is here. But NIL is only one part of what has changed.
The transfer rules changed along with the NIL. Used the right way, the transfer portal is a good thing. It can help a young person find a better fit and a better opportunity and a fresh start. But without any real rules around the transfer portal, it has turned into something else entirely: constant, year-round roster turnover.
The scale of the problem is hard to put into words. I have never seen anything like it. Last year, more than 10,500 college football players entered the transfer portal--10,500--1 year. More than 3,200 of those were in Division 1. Division 1 is the highest level of college football. There are only about 130 Division 1 football teams, and each program can offer up to 105 scholarships.
So those 3,200 players are enough to empty out 30 complete programs of the 131. Think about that. It is amazing. That is like every football program in the ACC and the Big 12 losing its entire roster at the same time.
And this is not just a football problem. In 2025, more than 1,500 men's college basketball players entered the transfer portal. A Division 1 basketball roster typically has 15 scholarship players. That means the number of Division 1 basketball players entering the portal in a single year is equivalent to more than 100 full basketball teams.
On the women's side, more than 2,500 basketball players entered the portal, including more than 1,000 Division 1 players.
That is not a few students looking for a fresh start. These numbers tell the story. What used to be rare has become routine. When I was coaching, you used to be able to develop a young person over a 4- or 5-year period and send them out in the real world as a man or woman with a degree, an education. And that is what it is about. I think we will all agree to that.
When I was coaching, you used to be able to develop a young person and saw them grow up every day. Now, you are lucky to keep a player one season, and I think that is what we are all talking about today--the relationship between athletes, coaches and teammates and schools are becoming shorter and more transactional.
Too often, short-term financial incentives are driving decisions that should be about education, personal development, and finding the right fit for a student-athlete's future.
Coaches can't build a program when the whole roster turns over from one season to the next, and that is what we are seeing. Schools are now forced to spend more time and resources recruiting their own players than coaching them, developing them, or helping them succeed in the classroom. They are not getting degrees now because of the transfer portal.
And the young people caught in the middle have no idea whether the team they just committed to will even resemble the team that they signed with. Young people are being treated like free agents instead of students.
And while older players bounce from school to school chasing the next paycheck, it is the high school student-athletes--both young men and women--who are paying the price. In other words, these high school students aren't getting the scholarship offers like they used to. The transfer portal is squeezing high school athletes out of opportunities.
We may not know the exact number, but the trend is clear: Thousands of roster spots are now being filled by older transfers instead of high school recruits. A scholarship that used to go to an 18-year-old with their whole future in front of them is now going to a fifth- or sixth-year senior who has already had his shot or her shot two or three times over.
This system is hurting the very people college athletics is supposed to serve. It has created a culture that rewards chasing the next opportunity, instead of honoring commitments, persevering through adversity, and finishing what you started. That is what sports is about.
It is not good for student-athletes; it is not good for schools; and it is certainly not good for college sports.
The NCAA spent years standing on the sidelines while these problems got worse, failing to provide leadership from the NCAA or meaningful reforms needed to protect student-athletes and preserve college sports. They stood around and watched. I saw it personally.
As a result, Congress now is being asked to step in, and that is what we are here today for.
But the Federal Government, if it gets involved, we need to be very clear what our role is and what our role is not. Congress should not run college sports. That is the first thing I want to say. We cannot run college sports.
Congress should not manage television contracts, dictate conference alignments, or write department budgets. We can't do it. Congress should not decide how much money student-athletes can earn. That is not our job.
Our role should be limited to setting clear rules for eligibility, transfers, and scholarships so student-athletes and families, coaches, and schools know what the rules are and can plan accordingly. That is where Congress can help, and that is where Congress should stop.
Two weeks ago, a bunch of colleagues here rolled out a bipartisan bill that aimed to fix some of these problems. I respect the work that they put into it. I know it all too well. I know they are trying to solve a serious and very, very hard problem. It is almost impossible. But I think their bill goes too far. Trust me, if I thought it would work, I would support it.
Unfortunately, it gets too deep into the business of universities, conferences, athletic departments, while doing far too little to give the student-athlete the stability and clarity that actually they need.
It claims to address the transfer portal and eligibility, but it is riddled with loopholes and waivers that gut those rules before the ink is dry.
Let me be clear, you cannot do waivers for eligibility and transfer. You can't do it. It opens the door for endless lawsuits, and they are coming by creating new avenues for student-athletes to sue schools, conferences, and the NCAA. It opens the door to student-athletes being classified as "employees," which leads to unionization and the end of college sports as we know it.
It does not do enough to protect women's sports, which is an issue I have come to this Senate floor to talk about many, many times before.
It also sets a permanent cap on revenue sharing for student-athletes. And worst of all, this bill drags the Federal Government into decisions that should be made by schools and conferences, not up here--the DC bureaucrats--including how conferences are structured, how games are scheduled, how media rights are managed, and how athletic departments are run. We can't do that. We just can't do it.
In other words, their bill is 111 pages. It pulls the Federal Government deep into the day-to-day operations of college sports. This is not the direction we should be heading. I commend them for working on it, but if we get to go this far, we will be creating more problems than helping.
Congress should focus on fixing eligibility and transfer rules, not inserting itself into matters that universities and conferences and athletic departments are fully capable of handling on their own. That is what they are hired for.
In the years since I came to the Senate, I have heard from student-athletes, coaches, athletic directors, presidents. They have all been in my office: You got to do something. You got to do something.
But we have got to do the right thing, and the concern I hear more than any other is simple: College sports needs a clear, consistent rule for the transfer portal and eligibility. That is where the problem is. And that--and only that--is where the Federal Government should get involved in.
College athletics has thrived for more than a century without folks from DC trying to call the plays. It does not need a Federal takeover. It needs a few clear, commonsense rules that restore stability and predictability, and then Congress needs to step aside.
That is why I have concerns about the approach that my colleagues have here today. That is the standard I use when I read the Protect College Sports Act. I respect what my colleagues are trying to do. I know they are trying to do the right thing and trying to solve a problem.
We have all heard it. My phone rings all the time, and I am sure theirs does, too, being as they are from the Commerce Department, which it usually goes through their committee.
But their bill tries to do too much. We are way too much in the weeds--way too much in the weeds. We are making it too complicated. We are talking about college sports here. We are not talking about the NFL or the NBA.
You know, I am not the only one with concerns.
Dozens of athletic directors, coaches, commissioners, university leaders--they are all stepping in and talking about this and the bill in its current form.
Congress should try not to manage every part of college athletics. It should focus on the issues that need clear national rules: eligibility and scholarship protection. That is exactly why a few months ago I introduced the Student Athlete Act. My bill is simple. You get 5 consecutive years to play five seasons. We don't need 30-year-olds playing against 18-year-olds. That is a disaster.
You need one penalty-free transfer, no questions asked. And after that, if you want to transfer again, you can transfer, but you go back to the old rule: You sit out a year, and then you get to play at that school you transferred to.
So save it for where you really need it in a transfer. People say: Well, when the coaches leave, they should be able to leave.
Yes, they can. That is the reason you got one transfer. Don't use it to make $50,000 more. Use it when you need to use it, if you ever need to use it, because if you transfer, your chance of getting a degree goes down 50 percent.
And, again, what we talked about earlier: It is about academics first. Before the NIL, if you transferred, you sat out a season, and that is the reason we should do that again. One free transfer, sit out a season. You go No. 2 or No. 3 and so forth on down the line.
More athletes--they will stay in school and they will go to class and they will work towards a degree.
My bill also protects student-athletes by making sure that scholarship commitments made to them are honored. They are honored as long as they remain in good academic standing.
You know, the Student Athlete Act follows the same basic direction President Trump laid out in his eligibility to transfer Executive orders, but we all know that Executive orders only last as long as the President is in office.
This is not a partisan or controversial bill. It is very simple, common sense. Let's make this happen.
So unlike the 111-page bill my colleagues are pushing, mine is short, simple, does not involve a Federal takeover of college sports. My colleagues intend to object to this today. I understand that.
If they do, I want to ask them just one question: Why is a simple fix on eligibility and the transfer portal something all of us can't do? And then after that, we either try to help or we give them direction--the NCAA--to do it on their own.
College sports are facing a five-alarm fire. It is getting ready to be over with as we know it. We do not have time to waste.
So, Mr. President, I move today to ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration of S. 4177, the Student Athlete Act of 2026; that the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that the bill be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
Is there objection?
The Senator from Washington.
Mr. President, the Senator from Alabama is right about one thing, and that is that college sports is facing a crisis.
Today, we see a free-for-all driven by ever-increasing spending on football and basketball. Non-revenue sports are paying the price, with more than 100 programs cut since 2024. Women's and Olympic sports are paying so dearly that it is hard for them to continue to compete.
We are well aware of this in the State of Washington. Conferences have been realigned in such a way that athletes are traveling across the country every week just to play one another.
But we cannot solve this problem facing college sports' ecosystem by just addressing transfers and eligibility. We need a solution. I believe we need a Federal law on the NIL rights for athletes, for their health and their safety. And we need a solution that will create more opportunities for future collegiate athletes, and we need a solution that will grow a bigger pie for those non-revenue sports, so they too can keep their teams competitive.
The good news is that the Protect College Sports Act that Senator Cruz and I introduced does those things. Most importantly, it enshrines into Federal law student-athlete rights to earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness, and for student-athletes to receive a share of revenues from their school's media and advertising and sponsorship and tickets.
Athletes will also be protected from unscrupulous agents and deceptive or predatory contracts, and believe me, that is going on right now. You could pass our bill just for that alone. And the bill establishes scholarship protections for athletes, healthcare requirements for athletes for playing, and the health and safety standards that I mentioned. All of these are important tools.
On the other hand, my colleague from Alabama's Student Athlete Act seeks only to address eligibility rules and the transfer portal. It does nothing to address these larger issues of athletes' rights, of women's and Olympic sports, and the need for revenue. In fact, this bill simply gives the NCAA the ability to make rules in these two subject areas without the broader health and safety protections that we seek in our legislation.
If enacted, it would leave athletes more vulnerable for the future. For eligibility, it calls for 5 years from a date certain with absolutely no exceptions. Should we not grant athletes exceptions for pregnancy if a student-athlete gets pregnant and needs to take time off? Should they lose their eligibility for that? For religious missions? If an athlete decides to go on a religious mission, should they lose their eligibility for that? Or should they lose their eligibility if they stand up to defend our Nation and want to come back and play? Should they lose their eligibility for that? Are we really going to punish student athletes because of these issues--because of parenthood, because of church or country? I don't think so. I cannot support a rule that would punish student athletes for this.
And for the transfer rule under this bill, I have the same concerns. Again, we see that there are no exceptions, no exceptions for things like if the athlete's sport is cut--it is impossible for them to compete in the next season. Or if athletes suffer from sexual assault or harassment. As if that hasn't happened in college sports, trust me, it has happened. I do not believe a woman facing sexual assault should have to play for the same people, and she deserves to get transferred out of that school.
So I know my colleague from Alabama is trying to be well-meaning. He has said several times tonight that my colleague and I have worked hard on this legislation. We have. We have because we believe, just like he does, that it is preserving college sports that is critical--not just for those, the 2 percent of the system, or 3 percent, that might play in a sport that does generate revenue, but for the 500,000 athletes that are part of our collegiate system.
We cannot continue to see these athlete numbers diminish. We can't wake up and be in the next Olympics and wonder what happened to the training of our athletes, only to find out they got cut because we couldn't end an arms race in the football spree that we are seeing today.
So I think that we are going to continue to push ahead on a more broad issue, and for that reason, I object.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The objection is heard.
The Senator from Texas.
Mr. President, in a time of great division in our country, college sports are one of the last institutions in America that still bring people together.
But across the country, fans see that institution falling apart. Rosters are being rebuilt every year through an unrestricted transfer market. Schools are locked in an arms race of ever-increasing NIL spending. Coaches spend as much time recruiting their own players as they do preparing for opponents. Eligibility rules are no longer determined by clear standards, but instead by lawsuits, court orders, and last-minute injunctions.
Historic rivalries are disappearing. Athletes who have already competed professionally are seeking to return and play college sports instead.
The wealthiest conferences continue to consolidate power and resources, while many mid-major programs increasingly serve as feeder systems for the sport's biggest brands.
What makes college sports special is not simply the games themselves. It is the connection between schools, athletes, students, alumni, and communities. Yet without clear rules and a sustainable framework, the very tradition that generations of Americans have cherished is at risk of being lost.
I did not come looking to insert Congress into college sports. College sports came to Congress begging for Congress to act because changing the law is the only way to fix the legal chaos.
Congress, unfortunately, helped create the legal environment in which college sports operate now. Federal antitrust, broadcasting, and interstate commerce laws shape what schools, conferences, and governing bodies can do.
If college sports are not allowed to enforce basic rules because of laws that Congress has already written, then Congress has a responsibility to fix the problem.
We need Congress to act. If we do nothing, the current trajectory will concentrate more and more power in fewer and fewer hands and will widen the gap between the richest programs and everybody else.
In a few years, we will likely lose dozens of historic football and basketball programs, not to mention thousands of Olympic sports at colleges dependent on revenue from football and basketball.
Is that what our country wants, to allow Federal law to kill off everyone but the 30 to 40 universities with football programs that will basically become a mini NFL, and everyone else gets left behind?
To save college sports, we need a bipartisan solution that will be able to garner 60 votes here in the Senate and pass the House. Unfortunately, the bill from Senator Tuberville is not able to achieve 60 votes.
Senator Tuberville is a friend. He loves college sports. He cares about it deeply. He spent a lifetime inspiring, coaching, teaching young men and women athletes.
The provisions in his bill are, in significant respect, reflected in the bipartisan bill that Senator Cantwell and I have negotiated. The bipartisan bill we have negotiated limits, as a general rule, one transfer per athlete. It does create exceptions: if a coach leaves, a program is canceled, or a student-athlete is the victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment.
Likewise, Senator Tuberville's proposed 5 years of eligibility is in the bipartisan bill.
The difference is that there are no Democrats supporting Senator Tuberville's bill. We have just seen a leading Democrat, the ranking Democrat on the Commerce Committee, object to Senator Tuberville's bill.
The way the Senate operates, you have got to get 60 votes. If you can't get 60 votes, your bill can't pass. That means, even though I support many of the elements of Senator Tuberville's bill--and they are included in our bill--Senator Tuberville's bill is not going to become law.
The question then is: Do you want any Federal solution?
I will say, when Senator Cantwell and I rolled out a bipartisan bill, many observers were shocked. They didn't believe this place could operate. That was the result of 3 years of negotiation. The last several months Senator Cantwell and I sat in a conference room 6 to 8 hours a day negotiating provision by provision.
You know, many of the criticisms Senator Tuberville put of the bill, I agree with. It is not perfect. I had to make concessions that I didn't like making. And, you know what, Senator Cantwell made concessions that she didn't like making. And that is the only way to get a bipartisan bill that can actually pass this body and become law.
I will say the bipartisan bill that we filed has seen overwhelming support, virtually every conference in America has publicly supported the bill. The bill is supported by: the ACC, the Big 12, the American Conference, Conference USA, the Sun Belt Conference, the Missouri Valley Conference, the SWAC, the MAC, the Pac-12, the Patriot League, the MEAC, Big Sky, the Horizon League, the Ohio Valley Conference, the Western Athletic Conference, the Big West, Metro Atlantic Athletic, Summit League, the West Coast Conference, and the Mountain West all have endorsed this bill. The NFL, the National Football League, has endorsed this bill. The NFL Players Association has endorsed this bill. The NBA Players Association has endorsed this bill. The U.S. Olympic Committee has endorsed this bill.
Coach Nick Saban, probably the most legendary college football coach in America, has explicitly endorsed this bill. Coach John Calipari, one of the most legendary basketball coaches, has endorsed this bill. Coaches all across the country have endorsed this bill. The American Football Coaches Association has endorsed this bill.
Why have we seen such broad support? Because this bill is the only train that is leaving the station. Senator Tuberville said, and I wrote this down: College sports is facing a five-alarm fire.
I agree with him. It is. So the choice this body has--if it were up to me, I would happily pass Senator Tuberville's bill, but it is not up to me. To pass this body, you have to get at least 60 votes. And the only bill that has any prospect of passing into law and fixing the problem is the bipartisan bill that has been negotiated with Senator Cantwell and myself and also with Senator Schmitt, another Republican, and Senator Coons, another Democrat.
If it is a five-alarm fire, we are all faced with a choice: Do we do nothing or do we accept an imperfect solution, a compromise that nonetheless gives the certainty that the conferences, the commissioners, the coaches are desperately asking for?
Right now across America, there are more than 500,000 college athletes who compete. If we don't act, hundreds of thousands of those college athletes will lose scholarships and lose the opportunity to go to college. That would be tragic.
So I invite my friend Senator Tuberville, who, as I said, cares deeply and passionately about college sports, to join with us in trying to find a way that Congress can actually for once address and fix a problem.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Alabama.
I agree with a lot of the things my colleagues are talking about--especially about the five-alarm fire. It is in trouble.
He just brought up a lot of names of people supporting this bill. They don't understand how this place works. They don't understand the significance of when you add those rules, it is a Federal law, and when we get involved in it, if you look at everything else we do, most of the time, it doesn't work.
We are only going to have one chance here, and I brought this 5 for 5, one-time transfer, no waivers. If you don't do it that way, it ain't going to work. If you give waivers to people, you have problems. We are giving one transfer. If you give waivers for everything--"My grandmother had a cold when I was a sophomore"--and they are going to hear it. If they don't get a waiver on that, they are going to go to a Federal judge, and it is going to end up the same way we are doing it today. It is a god-awful mess.
If we want to fix 80 percent of the problems without the Federal Government getting into it, you have 5 years to play, 5, and one transfer. No waivers. No Federal judge can get involved. But if you give waivers, there are going to be more lawsuits than you can ever imagine. It is going to be a disaster.
Senator Cantwell said something about revenue sharing. You know, they passed a rule a couple years ago that there is $20 million of revenue that goes to the college athletes. OK, $20 million a year. That is revenue sharing. Do you know who gets the money? Football players at every university. It doesn't go to women. It doesn't go to basketball or softball or baseball. It goes to the men's football team. It is a disaster.
All I am saying is watch what you are doing, and I am telling my friends calling me that are in coaching and conference commissioners: Read this well. If you are for this, then it is going to be your last chance.
I hope it works. If it passes, I hope it works. I go to a college football game every week. It is my life. I hope it works. But we damn sure better know that it is going to work if we pass it because you are not going to be able to retract it. It is going to be the law of the land--the law of the land. And it is not going to change, I am telling you right now.
I would consider voting for this if there were no waivers and 5 years' eligibility because I know what that affects. I know how that is going to work. I have seen it. These kids are going to run straight to a Federal judge, and they are going to give them leeway, and they are going to give them that extra year, and then you don't have a law.
The only way you can fix this bill, the only way you can fix college sports is 5 for 5, one transfer, no exceptions, and let's go play. But you start giving exceptions and waivers, it is going to be a madhouse, and lawyers are going to make a ton of money. That is who is going to get rich here--not the athletes but the lawyers.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER
The Senator from Washington.
Tribute to Shannon Smith
Pages S2865–S2866 · Official textMr. President, I rise to recognize the recent retirement of one of my most respected staff members: Shannon Smith. Shannon is a native of Washington and is returning home to be in Seattle.
I am not sure Shannon ever imagined she would be living in Washington, DC, serving on the Senate Commerce Committee, especially after a long, successful career with the Washington State attorney general's office, where she led the consumer product division, investigating fraud and deceptive practice and holding bad actors accountable for their actions.
The pull to service was clearly still strong, and she once told me that she expected that Washington, DC, would be a good place for her to continue that growth. She lasted here 5 years, and we are so grateful for that because, during that time, she led an impressive effort on the Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy Committee.
Her time on the committee during the Covid crisis helped us fashion legislation that was important in stopping bad actors from hawking online products that clearly had no solutions to the impacts of Covid. She worked very hard, especially on children's online privacy, and working hard on college sports issues.
She did a very important task for us in the legislation that we are talking about now, but it was really her real world experience that was so valuable on the consumer product and safety issues of our committee. I think it is very important tonight to thank her for that work. And while I wish that our consumer products organization was a better organization than today, I know she helped stop some very bad cases from moving forward.
She also led the 2021 reauthorization of the Minority Business Development Agency, which was for the first time established as a permanent Agency--a very important organization to help deliver resources to communities and grow minority businesses, a great victory for them.
She was also instrumental in drafting the American Privacy Rights Act that I introduced with then-Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers who served as the chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. So we worked very hard, so when the Trump administration and Republicans sought to override State laws protecting consumers from the harms of AI, Shannon understood exactly what that would mean for our State and attorneys general across the Nation.
She helped rally those voices against preemption of these most important consumer issues. Most recently, as I mentioned, Shannon led the drafting of the Protect College Sports Act. Actually, before that, she led the drafting of legislation with my colleagues Senators Booker and Blumenthal on sports, legislation with Senator Blackburn and Cornyn on sports and agents, and legislation with, recently, Senator Schmitt on the Sports Broadcasting Act. I want to thank her for all those efforts--but clearly, efforts that are now enshrined by all of those bills in the Protect College Sports Act that helped student-athletes' protections be made into Federal law.
Potentially, this will help us in the college sports system in the current arms race that threatens the future of women and Olympic sports. So we couldn't have done it without her.
I want to thank her for her great work to the Commerce Committee and for protecting Americans from harm. I told her, when she recently left, I was going to make her a jersey that said "Shannon Smith-Njigba" because she is like Smith-Njigba, our famous Seahawk player that had very deft moves on the sidelines and caught lots of passes. That is what Shannon did for consumers; that is what she did to protect us from online privacy faults and to protect us from AI and now, hopefully, to protect us from the ills of college sport.
We are going to miss her, but her retirement was very, very well earned, and I thank her for that service to our Nation.
I yield the floor.
Adjournment Until 10 A.m. Tomorrow
Page S2866 · Official textThe PRESIDING OFFICER
Under the previous order, the Senate stands adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow.
Thereupon, the Senate, at 6:39 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 10 a.m.