This bill would prohibit any state or local government designated as a "sanctuary jurisdiction" from receiving grant funds distributed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A jurisdiction is defined as a sanctuary if it has laws, policies, or practices that restrict officials from sharing information about an individual's immigration status or from complying with federal requests to detain or notify about the release of individuals. The funding restriction would apply to grants distributed 180 days after the bill's enactment. To determine which jurisdictions qualify for this ineligibility, the HUD Secretary is required to consult with the Secretary of Homeland Security.
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 reauthorizes federal housing assistance for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiians through fiscal year 2033 while expanding eligibility to include families with incomes up to 120 percent of the area median. The bill grants tribes greater autonomy by allowing them to set their own rent, procurement, and environmental review policies, and it streamlines regulatory processes by consolidating environmental reviews and exempting certain small-scale projects from specific federal requirements. Additionally, the legislation establishes new grant programs for homeless American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, creates a rental assistance program for homeless Indian veterans, and extends leasehold interests on trust lands to 99 years to improve financing options.
The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 modernizes the H-2A visa program by transferring administrative authority to the Department of Homeland Security and introducing a unified online platform to streamline applications for employers and workers. Key provisions include establishing new housing standards with mandatory inspections, creating a system for staggered worker entry and exit, and allowing workers to transfer between employers without losing their status. The bill also defines specific job classifications for wage calculations, expands the scope of covered agricultural activities, and provides legal protections for employers who document the employment of workers seeking visa status. Additionally, it requires agencies to develop a heat illness prevention plan and allows for contract termination due to natural disasters.
The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 aims to update and improve federal housing programs for Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities, and Native Hawaiian communities. The bill streamlines environmental reviews, increases flexibility for these entities in managing housing funds, and raises income limits for certain homeownership assistance. It also establishes new pilot programs to address homelessness among Native Americans
This bill modernizes housing assistance programs for Native American tribes and Native Hawaiians by streamlining environmental reviews, extending funding authorization through 2032, and expanding loan guarantee options. Key provisions include consolidating environmental review requirements to reduce paperwork for tribes, allowing 99-year leasehold interests on trust lands for housing, and creating new rental assistance specifically for homeless or at-risk Native American veterans. The legislation also clarifies rent rules, waives certain housing counseling certifications for tribal entities, exempts tribal housing projects from some federal civil rights and Buy America requirements, and establishes a direct loan guarantee process for tribal housing projects.
The VA Appraisal Modernization Act establishes a new system for setting and adjusting appraisal fees for Department of Veterans Affairs home loans. It creates two special categories of counties - high-demand and remote - to address appraiser shortages and long wait times. High-demand counties, where appraisal delays exceed standards or appraiser availability is low, will see fees increase annually starting in 2027, with higher rates for counties facing persistent shortages. Remote counties, defined by low appraiser density or long travel distances, will receive mileage reimbursements for appraisers. The bill also requires the VA to publish fee schedules, notify appraisers of changes, and submit reports on the program's financial impact and effectiveness.
This bill amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Treasury Secretary to testify annually before Congress about the Fund's operations. It also strengthens the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program by adjusting guarantee limits and extending the program's authorization period. Additionally, the bill expands capital assistance options for community development financial institutions and creates a new lending program specifically for Native community development financial institutions to support homeownership in Tribal and Native communities.
S 1735, the Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act, requires government agencies that issue permits (like environmental or construction permits) to publish detailed online status updates for each application. Covered agencies must display on their websites: the stages completed in the review process, how long each stage took, the current status and time spent in that stage, contact information for reviewers, the full process steps needed, and an estimated timeline for a final decision. This directly affects permit applicants by providing clear, real-time tracking of their applications instead of opaque waiting periods. The bill mandates these specific, standardized details to make the permitting process more transparent and accountable for all involved parties.
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This bill reduces local matching requirements by 50% for counties where over half the land is federally owned and the population is under 100,000 (called "High-Density Public Land Counties"). It applies to USDA rural development grants like those for business growth, community facilities, broadband, and telemedicine. The bill also gives priority to these counties for grant approval and provides extra technical assistance to help them apply. Tribal governments within these counties also receive targeted support for barriers like complex applications or financial requirements.
This bill would improve housing options for employees of federal land management agencies by expanding their authorities to develop housing near work sites. It allows agencies like the National Park Service and Forest Service to acquire land, build housing, and leverage rental income for housing programs. The bill also creates new recruitment pathways for workers who live near their job sites and requires agencies to report on housing needs and assess current housing policies. These changes aim to address workforce housing challenges that have made it difficult to recruit and retain employees at national parks and other public lands.
