Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6773
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act" (H.R. 6773) aims to increase transparency in the use of federal community development funds by requiring recipients of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to publicly disclose information about undeveloped land they own. This helps make public land ownership more visible, potentially aiding community planning, development, and accountability.
Key Provisions
- Amendment to Existing Law: The bill modifies Section 104(b) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5304(b)), which outlines eligibility requirements for CDBG grants.
- It adds a new paragraph (7), mandating that grantees (typically local governments or states) maintain a searchable database on a publicly accessible website.
- The database must identify all parcels of undeveloped land owned by the grantee.
- Effective Date: The changes take effect on October 1, 2026, giving grantees time to prepare.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, Section 104(b) listed six eligibility criteria for CDBG grants, focusing on planning, citizen participation, and program management, but did not require tracking or public disclosure of publicly owned land.
- The new provision introduces a seventh criterion, making public land inventory a condition for receiving CDBG funds. This is a minor but targeted addition to promote data accessibility without altering broader grant rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which administers the CDBG program, may need to update oversight processes to verify compliance. Local grantees will face administrative costs to build and maintain the databases, potentially straining smaller municipalities' resources.
- On Citizens: Improves public access to information about available land, which could support local development projects, housing initiatives, or environmental planning by making it easier for residents, developers, or nonprofits to identify opportunities.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic community development.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- CDBG Grantees: Primarily state and local governments that receive over $3 billion annually in CDBG funds; they must comply to maintain eligibility.
- Federal Agencies: HUD, responsible for enforcing the program's requirements.
- Citizens and Communities: Residents in urban and rural areas who benefit from greater transparency in land use, potentially leading to more equitable development.
- Developers and Nonprofits: Private entities or organizations interested in partnering on public land for housing, economic development, or community projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens accountability in federal grant programs by tying funding to transparency requirements, but it does not create new enforcement penalties beyond existing CDBG noncompliance rules (e.g., fund withholding by HUD).
- Constitutional: No significant issues; the bill aligns with federal spending power under the Constitution, promoting open government without infringing on property rights or free speech.
- Political: Encourages good governance practices, appealing to bipartisan interests in transparency and efficient use of public resources. It could face debate over implementation costs for under-resourced localities, but the bill's narrow scope limits broader controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-17: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act — issued 2025-12-17 — PDF (2 pages)