H.R. 1769: Local Zoning Decisions Protection Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Local Zoning Decisions Protection Act of 2025, aims to address certain rules and regulations related to housing and zoning. Here are the key points of the bill:

1. Nullification of Existing Rules

The bill seeks to nullify specific rules and notices from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that relate to fair housing. The following rules would have no force or effect if the bill passes:

• The proposed rule titled Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, published on February 9, 2023.
• The interim final rule titled Restoring Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Definitions and Certifications, published on June 10, 2021.
• The final rule titled Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, published on July 16, 2015.
• A notice related to the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool, published on December 31, 2015.

2. Prohibition on Federal Funding

The bill would prohibit the use of federal funds for creating or maintaining a database that contains geospatial information on community racial disparities or disparities in access to affordable housing.

3. Consultation Requirements

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development would be required to consult with state and local officials, as well as officials from public housing agencies, to develop recommendations that align with Supreme Court rulings and the Fair Housing Act. The consultation process would include:

• Providing notice and an opportunity for participation to relevant officials.
• Engaging with a diverse range of representatives to capture various perspectives.
• Promoting collaboration and transparency throughout the process.
• Allowing for meaningful and timely input from stakeholders.
• Exploring alternatives to regulations for achieving federal fair housing objectives.

4. Reports and Consensus

Within 12 months of the bill's enactment, the Secretary is expected to publish a draft report summarizing the consultation outcomes. Key points regarding the reports include:

• Recommendations can only be included if there is consensus among consulted parties.
• If consensus is not reached, the report must outline areas of agreement and disagreement, along with reasons for the disagreements.
• The draft report will be open for public review and comment for at least 180 days.
• A final report will be prepared after addressing public comments and must be made publicly available online within the same 12-month period.

5. Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms, including Secretary, local government official, state official, and public housing agency, to clarify the roles and entities involved in the consultation process.

Relevant Companies

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