This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news related to residential and commercial construction as well as infrastructure and government initiatives and programs concerning housing and housing affordability. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Dates: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 🗺️ State Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

Presidential Determinations Invoke Defense Production Act for Energy Infrastructure

President Trump issued three memoranda under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act on April 20, 2026, authorizing federal interventions in large-scale energy infrastructure, electric grid components and supply chain, and natural gas transmission, processing, storage, and liquefied natural gas capacity. These determinations cite domestic vulnerabilities and the effects of hostile foreign actors on the U.S. energy sector, declaring these facilities and their supply chains essential for national defense. Actions authorized include federal purchases, financial support, and waivers of statutory requirements to accelerate domestic production and deployment. The Secretary of Energy is directed to implement these measures, expanding federal authority for energy infrastructure investments and supply chain development, with publication in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

Repeal and Extended Stay of Federal Building Fossil Fuel Restrictions

The Department of Energy announced on April 20, 2026 that the compliance date for fossil fuel-generated energy consumption restrictions in new federal buildings and major renovations (10 CFR Part 433 and 435, Subpart B) is further stayed until September 1, 2026. DOE continues to review recent rulemaking and guidance for consistency with Executive Orders related to energy security and reliability. Federal agencies are not required to implement the performance standards during this period, as DOE revisits regulatory procedures for alignment with current administration directives.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Revises Fair Market Rents for 2026 Housing Choice Voucher Program

On April 21, 2026, HUD issued revised Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for seven areas for fiscal year 2026, with new data from public housing agencies and responses to comments regarding methodology, payment standards, and geographic definitions. The revision affects Los Angeles, Napa, San Luis Obispo, Asheville, Transylvania County, Albany, and Corvallis with updated rent tables published on the HUD User website. HUD addresses stakeholder concerns about data lag, survey burdens, exception payment standards, SAFMR regulations, and transparency in calculations. HUD confirms continued evaluation of calculation methodologies, public housing cutoff rents, and application of ACS data.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

OSHA Reinstates Federal Enforcement Authority for Marine Construction and Private Sector Employment on Federal Properties in Puerto Rico

On April 24, 2026, OSHA issued notification of revisions to the Puerto Rico State Plan’s Operational Status Agreement, restoring federal enforcement authority over marine construction and private employer operations on federal properties. The new agreement addresses federal coverage gaps, including military installations, USPS operations, and aircraft cabin crewmembers. Federal OSHA will exercise enforcement in these sectors and over situations where the Puerto Rico plan cannot obtain entry or cannot exercise its authority fully, with the change memorialized in the updated OSA.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pipeline Safety Notification Thresholds Adjusted for Inflation

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) proposed raising monetary thresholds for Operator Identification Number notifications related to pipeline construction and maintenance activities. The new proposed limits are $20 million for pipeline facility construction and $300,000 for underground gas storage facility maintenance, with annual inflation adjustments based on the Producer Price Index for construction materials. PHMSA projects administrative cost savings for operators and intends to implement annual updates beginning in calendar year 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Energy Affordability and Reliability Act of 2026

H.R. 8448, titled Energy Affordability and Reliability Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on April 22, 2026, for further consideration regarding infrastructure and energy reliability.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Improper Payment Assessment for HUD Assistance

H.R. 8489 directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct an improper payment assessment for project-based and tenant-based assistance programs. The latest action was referral to the House Committee on Financial Services on April 23, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Federal Water Projects Consultation Improvement Act of 2026

H.R. 8259, the Federal Water Projects Consultation Improvement Act, was referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries on April 22, 2026. The bill addresses revised consultation practices for federal water projects.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026

H.R. 8092 is aimed at updating Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination. The sponsor made introductory remarks on April 23, 2026, recorded in Congressional Record H3080.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act

H.R. 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, saw a motion to reconsider laid on the table agreed to without objection on April 22, 2026, moving the bill closer to final disposition.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Ohio Awards $7.3M for Demolition and Revitalization in 32 Counties

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced $7.3 million in grants to 32 counties for demolition of unsafe buildings and site revitalization as part of the Ohio BUILDS initiative.

Sources: governor.ohio.gov

Texas Scholarship Gala Supports Construction Industry Education

Governor Greg Abbott attended Texas State University's Concrete Industry Management Annual Patrons Board Foundation Scholarship Gala, affirming support for construction industry workforce development and the high job placement rates of CIM graduates.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

Albany International Airport Opens New Departure Hall Amid Revitalization Project

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the opening of 6,000 square feet of the new Departure Hall at Albany International Airport, part of a $100 million federally and state funded transformation.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

California Delta Conveyance Project Advances Toward Construction

Governor Gavin Newsom announced the Delta Conveyance Project's certification of consistency was approved, marking a significant step toward permitting and construction to secure California’s water supply.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Niagara Bottling to Build $160M Facility in New York

Niagara Bottling will construct a $160 million manufacturing facility in Fulton County, NY, supported by state grants and tax credits, creating 70 skilled jobs at the Tryon Technology Park.

Sources: www.governor.ny.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• PREVIEW US homebuilders brace for another challenging year as war, tariffs hurt margins: US homebuilders face margin pressure from global conflict and tariffs in 2026.
• In a Slow Market, Some Houses Are Still Selling Fast: Move-in-ready houses continue to sell quickly despite sluggish broader housing conditions.
• What Everyone Got Wrong About Jobs and the Immigration Crackdown: Analysis of labor market effects following changes to US immigration policy.
• They Chose Careers in the Trades and Still Wound Up With Debt: Trade workers often encounter unexpected education-related debt burdens.
• New HUD rules will stop sheltering illegals in public housing. Here's who really benefits: Commentary on HUD’s public housing residential eligibility rule changes.
• Opinion | Paving a New Path to Prosperity: Editorial discusses strategies for infrastructure-driven economic growth.
• Powered land and zombie projects: Real estate in the age of AI: Examination of AI’s impact on real estate development and stalled projects.
• How the Supreme Court will have a major impact on the economy this spring: Pending Supreme Court decisions may affect economic and business outcomes.

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