December 16, 2025
Mr. Neguse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
To require the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program for emerging technologies for moisture control and mitigation in covered housing, to standardize certain mold remediation guidelines, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Pilot program for emerging technologies for moisture control and mitigation
(a) Establishment
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall carry out a pilot program to assess and implement emerging technologies for moisture control and mitigation in covered housing.
(b) Selection of locations
The Secretary shall select not fewer than three and not more than five military installations at which to carry out the pilot program established under subsection (a). The Secretary shall prioritize selection of military installations in regions with elevated climate-related risk factors for mold growth, such as persistent humidity, frequent rainfall, or outdated HVAC infrastructure.
(c) Elements
In carrying out the pilot program established under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
install moisture detection systems with advanced capabilities, including sensor-based humidity or spore monitoring technologies capable of generating early warnings for environmental risk conditions;
(2)
implement noninvasive or technology-enabled mold remediation tools, such as antimicrobial coatings, dry fogging systems, or UV-based sterilization units;
(3)
define infrastructure requirements, including upgrades to building materials or HVAC systems, necessary to support sustained mold prevention using the selected moisture detection systems;
(4)
train relevant personnel on the deployment, maintenance, and data interpretation of selected moisture detection systems;
(5)
designate an individual at each military installation selected under subsection (b) to oversee the implementation of the pilot program; and
(6)
develop a strategic implementation and evaluation plan to assess performance of the selected moisture detection systems and inform future decisions relating to such systems.
(d) Report and briefings
(1) Report
Not later than 180 days after the termination date in subsection (e), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results of the pilot program, including recommendations for broader implementation and an assessment of costs and benefits.
(2) Briefings
Upon completion of the plan required under subsection (c)(6), the Secretary shall provide to the congressional defense committees a briefing on the plan and any preliminary findings.
(e) Termination
The authority to carry out the pilot program under this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(f) Covered housing defined
In this section, the term covered housing means housing provided under subchapter II or subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code.
Sec. 2. Standardization of mold remediation guidelines across military departments
(a) Requirement To establish common guidelines
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall develop and implement uniform guidelines for the remediation of mold in military housing, facilities, and other real property under jurisdiction of each such Secretary.
(b) Consistency with established standards
The guidelines required under subsection (a) shall be consistent with—
(1)
applicable municipal and State health and environmental standards; and
(2)
third-party industry standards, including the standard of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification titled S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation
, or any successor standard.
(c) Applicability
The guidelines required under subsection (a) shall apply—
(1)
to contracts or task orders for mold remediation entered into on or after the date of the issuance of such guidelines; and
(2)
to mold remediation procedures conducted on or after such date of issuance.
(d) Report
Not later than 180 days after the date of the issuance of the guidelines under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretaries of the military departments, shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report that includes the guidelines and describes plans for implementation of the guidelines and monitoring compliance with the guidelines.