HOUSE Act of 2025 Helping Owners with Unaffordable Shoddy Edicts Act of 2025
The passage of HB 75 would have significant implications for state laws regarding energy efficiency in housing. It mandates a reversion to prior standards, thus potentially undermining advancements made in energy efficiency regulations at the federal level. Furthermore, this bill constrains federal funds from being utilized to implement the newer standards, effectively prioritizing older, possibly less stringent standards. This shift may impact various programs related to affordable housing and energy conservation efforts initiated by federal agencies.
House Bill 75, titled the 'Helping Owners with Unaffordable Shoddy Edicts Act of 2025,' aims to require the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Agriculture (USDA) to withdraw a recent final determination related to energy efficiency standards for housing. The bill specifically targets a determination that facilitated the adoption of new energy efficiency standards for HUD- and USDA-financed housing, arguing that it imposes undue burdens on property owners and stakeholders in the housing market.
Notably, the bill could lead to considerable contention in the legislative arena. Supporters argue that the new standards increase housing costs and are impractical, while opponents may highlight the bill's potential negative effects on energy conservation and environmental goals. Furthermore, the legislation raises questions about the balance of power between federal agencies and state regulations, as it allows states to maintain their energy codes provided they are more stringent than those dictated by the reverted federal standards. Opposition may center around concerns that the bill will hinder progress in energy efficiency, particularly as a growing number of states adopt more robust energy efficiency measures.