August 15, 2025
Mr. Stutzman (for himself, Ms. Pettersen, Mrs. McClain, and Mr. David Scott of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
To require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into a memorandum of understanding relating to housing projects, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Streamlining Rural Housing Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Memorandum of understanding
(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 (as defined in section 111 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336e)) for housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of the Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture;
(2)
develop a process to designate a lead agency among the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture and streamline the adoption of environmental impact statements and environmental assessments approved by the other agency to construct housing projects funded by amounts from 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; and
(4)
evaluate the feasibility of a joint physical inspection process for housing projects funded by amounts from the Department of the Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture.
(b) Advisory working group
(1) 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 establish an advisory working group for the purpose of consulting on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding entered into under subsection (a).
(2) Members
The advisory working group established under paragraph (1) shall consist of rural and non-rural stakeholders, including—
(A)
affordable housing nonprofit organizations;
(B)
State housing and housing finance agencies;
(C)
nonprofit and for-profit home builders and housing developers;
(D)
property management companies;
(E)
owners of multifamily properties, including nonprofit and for-profit owners and operators;
(F)
public housing agencies;
(G)
residents in housing assisted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the Department of Agriculture and representatives of those residents; and
(H)
housing contract administrators.
(c) 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 the 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.