Bill Summary
The "Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development for Housing Act" (BUILD Housing Act) is proposed legislation aimed at streamlining the environmental review process for certain housing assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Environmental Review Procedure**: The bill allows the Secretary of HUD to designate specific assistance as funds for special projects, simplifying the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related laws. This is intended to expedite decision-making and project implementation.
2. **Exceptions**: The new designation would not apply to assistance programs that already have a defined process for environmental review under existing laws.
3. **Inclusion of Tribal Governments**: The bill expands eligibility for the environmental review process to include Indian Tribes alongside states and local governments, acknowledging the role of tribal entities in housing development.
4. **Definition of Indian Tribe**: It provides a clear definition of "Indian Tribe" as federally recognized tribes, aligning with existing legislation on Native American housing assistance.
Overall, the BUILD Housing Act aims to enhance the efficiency of housing development projects while ensuring compliance with environmental standards, particularly involving tribal governments.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development for Housing Act" (or "BUILD Housing Act") could affect people:
1. **Streamlined Housing Development**: By designating a specific environmental review procedure for assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the act may expedite the approval process for housing projects. This could lead to quicker construction of affordable housing units, thereby helping individuals and families in need of housing, particularly in areas facing housing shortages.
2. **Inclusion of Tribal Governments**: The amendment to allow Indian Tribes to assume environmental review obligations acknowledges the role of tribal governments in housing development. This could empower Native American communities to take charge of their housing projects, ensuring that they are tailored to their specific needs and cultural contexts, ultimately improving living conditions for tribal members.
3. **Impact on Environmental Protections**: The act's focus on environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) could lead to a balancing act between development and environmental protection. While the act aims to streamline processes, it could also mean that environmental considerations might be deprioritized in favor of faster housing development if not monitored properly. This could affect local communities that depend on environmental resources or ecosystems, raising concerns about pollution, land use, and sustainability.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4810 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4810
To designate an environmental review procedure for certain assistance
administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 29, 2025
Mr. Liccardo (for himself and Mr. Flood) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To designate an environmental review procedure for certain assistance
administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Better Use of Intergovernmental and
Local Development for Housing Act'' or the ``BUILD Housing Act''.
SEC. 2. 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.''.
SEC. 3. 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)).''.
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