October 15, 2026
Mr. Shreve (for himself and Ms. Goodlander) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
To direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the development and adoption of pattern books in the United States, and for other purposes.
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 Build More Homes Act
.
Sec. 2. Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
The United States is facing a significant housing shortage, which is directly contributing to rising costs and reduced affordability for individuals in the United States.
(2)
Pattern books have been adopted by several States, localities, and jurisdictions as a tool to increase housing supply and reduce regulatory barriers.
(3)
With access to pattern books, developers and builders have predictable designs that lower the time and cost associated with project plan review and approval.
(4)
The adoption of pattern books remains inconsistent across the country, and there is limited national data on the impact and reach of pattern books or the regulatory barriers to the broader use of pattern books.
(5)
A comprehensive national study of pattern books would provide Federal, State, and local governments, as well as private entities, with the data needed to evaluate the effectiveness of pattern books in increasing housing supply and lowering costs.
Sec. 3. Study on pattern books
(a) Study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on the development and adoption of pattern books in the United States, including—
(1)
the effect of pattern books on housing supply, permitting efficiency, and costs of construction and development;
(2)
the identification of regulatory barriers and other barriers that affect broader implementation, development, and adoption of pattern books; and
(3)
the identification of best practices from jurisdictions that have successfully implemented pattern books, including recommendations for rural communities.
(b) Consultation
In carrying out subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the United States shall consult with representatives of local governments and other relevant public and private entities, as determined by the Comptroller General.
(c) Report
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress and make publicly available a report on the study described in this section.
(d) Pattern books defined
In this Act, the term 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.