Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3772
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-18T09:07:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 3772: Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act of 2025
Purpose
This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study evaluating the practicality, expenses, and advantages of offering apartment-style or dormitory housing to civilian workers at specific U.S. naval shipyards. The goal is to explore ways to support the workforce at these key defense facilities, potentially improving worker recruitment and retention.
Key Provisions
- Study Requirements: The Secretary of Defense, working with the Secretary of the Navy and the Director of the Office of Industrial Policy in the Department of Defense, must assess:
- Estimated costs for building, maintaining, or renting apartment-style housing for shipyard workers.
- Potential benefits, such as improved recruitment, retention, economic gains, worker availability, morale, and reduced commuting challenges.
- Feasibility of housing options at different shipyard sites.
- Methods for deducting rent (at fair-market or below-market rates) from workers' paychecks, including related administrative, legal, and contract issues.
- Comparisons to similar housing programs used by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies.
- Case studies from at least two specified shipyards, with data on how housing could improve effectiveness.
- Report to Congress: The Secretary must submit a detailed report on the study's findings within 18 months of the bill's enactment.
- Covered Shipyards: The study focuses on four locations:
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia.
- Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Hawaii.
- Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Maine.
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Washington.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This legislation introduces a new mandate for a comprehensive study on workforce housing at naval shipyards, which does not exist in current law. It does not amend or repeal any prior statutes but creates a one-time assessment that could inform future policy or funding decisions. No direct alterations to existing housing, labor, or defense laws are specified.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and Navy will need to allocate resources for the study, potentially leading to new housing programs if recommendations are adopted. This could streamline operations at shipyards by addressing workforce shortages.
- Citizens: Civilian workers at the covered shipyards may benefit from affordable, on-site housing options, reducing commuting time and costs, and improving job satisfaction. It could also aid recruitment in remote or high-cost areas.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced shipyard efficiency could indirectly strengthen U.S. naval capabilities and deterrence in global contexts, such as in the Pacific region near Pearl Harbor.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government Entities: Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, and the Office of Industrial Policy, responsible for conducting and reporting on the study.
- Workforce: Civilian employees at the four specified naval shipyards, who could gain access to dedicated housing.
- Congress: Receives the report and may act on its recommendations through future legislation or budgets.
- Local Communities: Residents near the shipyards, potentially affected by new construction or economic boosts from improved worker retention.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill raises considerations around federal employee pay deductions for housing (e.g., ensuring compliance with labor laws on wage withholding) and potential contracts for leasing or building facilities. It avoids mandating implementation, focusing instead on analysis to minimize legal risks.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; the study falls under Congress's authority to oversee defense spending and workforce management (Article I, Section 8). It respects federalism by targeting federal facilities without infringing on state housing regulations.
- Political: As a bipartisan bill introduced by representatives from affected states (Virginia, Hawaii, Maine, Washington), it highlights regional interests in defense infrastructure. Success could set a precedent for similar workforce support in other federal sectors, influencing budget debates on military readiness versus domestic spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
Cosponsors (14)
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Gimenez, Carlos A. [R-FL-28], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-05: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Defense Shipyard Workforce Housing Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-05 — PDF (3 pages)