CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

DemocratBill · H.R. 5085· House(119-HR-5085)

To exempt Federal actions related to the construction of infill housing from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes.

Rep. Friedman
Age: 60 years
California
Introduced
9/2/2025
Last activity
9/3/2025 — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Sponsored by
Laura Friedman
Cosponsors
Democrat - 9Republican - 1
Emergency Management
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

H.R. 5085 exempts Federal actions related to infill housing from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The bill defines infill housing as residential housing on sites that are vacant or underutilized, previously developed with an urban use, no larger than 20 acres, and meeting specific surrounding development and environmental assessment criteria. It also ensures that these sites are not located in census tracts designated as very high or relatively high risk for wildfire, coastal flooding, and riverine flooding under FEMA's National Risk Index. Infill housing activities covered include acquiring land, demolishing non-historic structures, constructing or rehabilitating housing, and converting non-residential buildings. Additionally, the bill updates the requirement for natural hazard risk assessment updates from every 5 years to every 3 years.

Yes· 3 of 24

  • Does this make housing cost less?+6

    The bill explicitly promotes and streamlines the construction and development of infill housing.

  • Would people in cities be better off under this?+5

    The bill targets urban infill development, directly impacting urban residential infrastructure.

  • Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+4

    Young adults often struggle with housing affordability and benefit from increased housing supply.

The opposite

  • Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2

    Exempting infill housing federal actions from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reduces environmental review requirements.