S. 3970: Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act

The Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at easing the process for constructing or modifying residential housing on certain types of sites known as infill sites. Here’s how it would work:

Exemption from NEPA

The bill provides an exemption from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for specific types of assistance related to residential housing. Under this legislation, assistance given for the construction or modification of residential housing on infill sites would not be classified as a major federal action, which means it would not require a detailed environmental review typically mandated by NEPA.

Definition of Infill Sites

An infill site is defined in the bill as a location that has access to existing infrastructure, such as:

• Water lines
• Sewer lines
• Roads

However, infill sites do not include:

• Sites that only have road access
• Areas designated as high risk for wildfires, coastal flooding, or riverine flooding
• Greenfield sites, which are undeveloped land such as woodlands or farmlands

Focus on Rural Housing

This legislation specifically targets assistance provided under several sections of the Housing Act of 1949, which facilitate housing in rural areas. The intention is to accelerate the process of providing affordable housing solutions in these regions by minimizing bureaucratic hurdles that historically slow down housing projects.

Reporting Requirement

The Secretary of Agriculture is required to submit a report to Congress five years after the enactment of this bill. This report will evaluate:

• How the bill has affected the time it takes to review housing assistance applications
• Any changes in the administrative costs associated with providing such assistance
• The impact on the affordable housing sector in rural areas
• Recommendations for any future congressional actions related to NEPA requirements

Non-Impact on Other Laws

It is also indicated that this bill does not alter requirements under any laws other than NEPA, which means other environmental regulations would still apply.

Summary of Impact

Overall, this legislation aims to streamline the construction and modification of housing in rural areas, facilitating quicker responses to housing needs without requiring extensive environmental assessments for projects deemed to meet certain criteria.

Relevant Companies

• PHM - PulteGroup, Inc.: As a major home construction company, PulteGroup may be involved in building homes on infill sites, potentially benefiting from the expedited processes established by this bill.
• TOL - Toll Brothers, Inc.: Another prominent homebuilder that could see reduced regulatory delays in constructing residential properties in rural areas, aligning with the bill's objectives.