Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB4958

Introduced
8/1/24  

Caption

A bill to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture to withdraw a final determination relating to energy efficiency standards for housing, and for other purposes.

Impact

If enacted, SB4958 would directly affect the energy efficiency standards that govern housing finance under programs administered by HUD and USDA. By mandating these agencies to withdraw the final determinations, this bill could significantly alter the landscape of energy norms for new housing constructions. Further, it could have broader implications for how energy efficiency is approached federally, particularly as many states have already adopted their own stringent standards. The bill highlights a shift towards local control over energy regulations, potentially creating friction with ongoing federal energy efficiency initiatives.

Summary

SB4958 aims to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Agriculture to withdraw a final determination concerning new energy efficiency standards for housing. The legislation specifically seeks to stop the implementation of standards that were set to take effect, reverting back to previous energy efficiency requirements for housing funded by these departments. The bill is introduced at a time when energy efficiency and environmental standards have been a topic of increasing discussion and contention within various legislative bodies.

Contention

The primary points of contention surrounding SB4958 revolve around the balance between federal guidance and state implementations of energy standards. Proponents of the bill argue that it protects local interests by preventing potentially burdensome federal energy requirements that may not reflect the distinct needs of various states. Conversely, opponents may view it as a regression in efforts to improve housing energy efficiency at a national level, potentially stifling advancements in environmental stewardship and energy conservation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB10475

To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grant program to address deed fraud, and for other purposes.

US HB75

Helping Owners with Unaffordable Shoddy Edicts Act of 2025 or the HOUSE Act of 2025This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to withdraw the final determination titled Adoption of Energy Efficiency Standards for New Construction of HUD- and USDA-Financed Housing and published on April 26, 2024.The determination adopted updated minimum energy efficiency standards for newly built homes (except manufactured housing) financed through certain HUD and USDA programs. Specifically, it adopted the (1) 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which applies to single family homes and multifamily low-rise buildings up to three stories; and (2) 2019 American National Standards Institute/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers/Illuminating Electrical Society (ANSI/ASHRAE/IES) Standard 90.1, which applies to multifamily residential buildings with four or more stories. HUD and USDA must also revert to using the energy efficiency standards required before the determination.In addition, the bill prohibits HUD, USDA, and the Department of Veterans Affairs from taking actions or using federal funds to implement or enforce the determination or any substantially similar determination. It also prohibits the Federal Housing Finance Agency from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a determination or rule relating to energy efficiency standards for single and multifamily housing.Finally, the bill prohibits HUD and USDA from adopting updates to the IECC or ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1 in certain circumstances unless at least 26 states have adopted codes or standards that meet or exceed the update's requirements.

US SB4566

A bill to require the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Air Force, and the Secretary of the Army to carry out a pilot program on producing parts through reverse engineering, and for other purposes.

US HB8484

To amend the Buy Indian Act to include the Secretary of Agriculture, and for other purposes.

US HJR170

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture relating to "Final Determination: Adoption of Energy Efficiency Standards for New Construction of HUD- and USDA-Financed Housing".

US SB5519

A bill to require the Secretary of Defense to enhance the readiness of the Department of Defense to challenges relating to climate change and to improve the energy and resource efficiency of the Department, and for other purposes.

US HB2494

To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to annually submit to the Congress a report that analyzes State and local strategies, activities, and plans that promote affordable housing, and for other purposes.

US SB4080

A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study and submit a report on national resource adequacy, and for other purposes.

US HB5006

To direct the Secretary of State to take certain actions for the declassification and publication of materials relating to the Afghanistan withdrawal, and for other purposes.

US HB10360

To require the Secretary of Defense to enhance the readiness of the Department of Defense to challenges relating to climate change and to improve the energy and resource efficiency of the Department, and for other purposes.

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