S.Amdt. 3120

This amendment, submitted by Mr. Schatz and Ms. Murkowski, adds a new division to bill S. 2296 called the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2025. Its purpose is to update and expand laws regarding housing assistance and self-governance for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians.

The amendment aims to change or add the following to the bill:

• Administrative Changes: It simplifies environmental reviews by allowing Indian tribes to assume responsibilities for projects using multiple Federal funding sources. It also increases the "de minimis" procurement exemption from $5,000 to $7,000 and extends leasehold interests on trust or restricted lands from 50 to 99 years.

• Funding and Authorizations: It authorizes appropriations for housing assistance for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians for fiscal years 2026 through 2032.

• Expanded Housing Support: It adds college housing assistance to affordable housing activities and creates a Tribal HUD-VASH program to provide rental assistance for homeless or at-risk Indian veterans.

• Loan and Grant Updates: It expands the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program and Section 184A for Native Hawaiians, allowing for direct guarantee endorsement by eligible lenders. It also allows the Director to make subawards to non-profit subrecipients for affordable housing.

• Crime Prevention: It establishes a Drug Elimination Program that provides grants to help eliminate drug-related and violent crime through security personnel, physical improvements, and youth programs.

• Legal and Reporting Updates: It clarifies rent rules for units owned by tribes, updates the specific Congressional committees that receive reports, and requires those reports to be made public. It also adjusts the process for suspending grant funds during emergencies to include specific notice and hearing requirements.