Freedom to Build Act

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4265 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4265 To require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a Freedom to Build designation for certain localities. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 26, 2026 Mr. Hagerty introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a Freedom to Build designation for certain localities. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Freedom to Build Act''. SEC. 2. FREEDOM TO BUILD DESIGNATION. (a) Establishment.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish a ``Freedom to Build'' designation for eligible localities that voluntarily qualify under subsection (b) or subsection (c). (2) List.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall maintain and publish on a publicly accessible website a list of all localities that have received a Freedom to Build designation, updated not less frequently than annually. (3) Duration.--A Freedom to Build designation shall be effective for a 5-year period beginning on the date on which the designation is made and shall be renewable upon a demonstration of continued qualification under subsection (b) or subsection (c). (4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any locality to apply for or obtain a Freedom to Build designation. (b) Qualification by Reform Adoption.-- (1) In general.--A locality may qualify for a Freedom to