Public Lands Database for Grantees

Summary#

The Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act would amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. It would require grantees of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to keep a searchable database of all undeveloped land they own on a publicly accessible website. The stated goal is not specified beyond the bill’s title and description. It was introduced in the House and has not become law.

  • The database must identify all parcels of undeveloped land owned by the grantee.
  • The requirement would take effect on October 1, 2026.
  • The bill adds this requirement to an existing part of the Housing and Community Development Act. The available material does not include the full current law, so the precise effect on existing CDBG requirements could not be verified.
  • The bill does not require grantees to sell or transfer land, or to use it for housing or another purpose.

What it means for you#

  • CDBG grantees: Would have to maintain the database on a publicly accessible website. The bill does not say how often it must be updated or what details each listing must include.
  • People looking for public land information: Would be able to search the database for parcels covered by the requirement. The bill does not require a grantee to make land available for purchase or development.
  • Other landowners: The requirement applies to land owned by the grantee; the bill does not require a database of all publicly owned land in an area.

Money#

No cost information is in the available material.

  • Grantees would have to maintain a public website database, but the bill gives no estimate of staffing, technology, or other costs.
  • The bill does not specify a funding source or provide new funding.

What is unclear#

  • The bill does not define “undeveloped land.”
  • It does not set rules for how a grantee identifies parcels, what information the database must show, or how often it must be updated.
  • It does not specify how compliance would be checked or what happens if a grantee does not maintain the database.
  • The available material does not explain how this requirement would interact with existing CDBG rules.
  • The bill’s passage is uncertain, and the text does not provide a start date earlier than October 1, 2026.

Case for#

  • The bill appears intended to make information about grantee-owned undeveloped land easier for the public to find.
  • A searchable database could give residents, researchers, and organizations a single place to look for covered parcels.
  • Requiring grantees to publish the information could improve public access without requiring them to sell or change the use of the land.

Case against#

  • The bill does not define “undeveloped,” so grantees may differ in which parcels they include.
  • Without rules for updates or required listing details, databases may vary in how complete or useful they are.
  • The bill creates a duty for grantees but provides no cost estimate or funding.
  • The bill does not explain how compliance would be enforced or what consequences would follow if a database is missing or incomplete.