Bill Summary
The "Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development for Housing Act" (or "BUILD Housing Act") aims to streamline environmental review processes for certain housing assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Key provisions include:
1. **Designation of Environmental Review Procedure**: The Act allows the Secretary to designate specific assistance as subject to an expedited environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This aims to facilitate quicker decision-making for housing projects while still adhering to environmental standards.
2. **Inclusion of Tribal Entities**: The legislation expands the scope of entities eligible to assume environmental review responsibilities by including Indian tribes alongside states and local governments. This acknowledges the role of tribal governments in housing development and environmental oversight.
3. **Definition of Indian Tribe**: The Act provides a clear definition of "Indian Tribe," aligning it with federal recognition standards, which ensures that federally recognized tribes can participate fully in the housing assistance and environmental review process.
Overall, the BUILD Housing Act seeks to enhance the efficiency of housing development initiatives while ensuring that environmental considerations are still met, particularly involving local and tribal governments.
Possible Impacts
The "Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development for Housing Act" (BUILD Housing Act) could affect people in several ways:
1. **Streamlined Environmental Review Process**: The Act allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to designate certain assistance programs as special projects for the purpose of environmental review. This could lead to a faster and more efficient approval process for housing projects, potentially resulting in quicker access to affordable housing for individuals and families in need.
2. **Inclusion of Indian Tribes**: By amending the definition of entities eligible for environmental review obligations to include "Indian Tribe," the legislation recognizes the role of federally recognized tribes in housing development. This could empower Native American communities to take greater control over their housing projects and environmental assessments, leading to more culturally relevant and sustainable housing solutions.
3. **Potential for Increased Funding**: The designation of assistance as special projects may make it easier for certain housing developments to qualify for federal funding or support. This could result in the development of more housing units, thereby addressing housing shortages and improving living conditions for low-income populations and marginalized communities.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2391 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2391
To designate an environmental review procedure for certain assistance
administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 23, 2025
Mr. Kim (for himself and Mr. Rounds) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing,
and Urban Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
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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