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: 2026-05-03 to 2026-05-09

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Appropriations Subcommittee: HUD Budget Hearing: The House Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a budget hearing for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, with Secretary Scott Turner testifying, on May 12, 2026, in Rayburn 2358-A.
• House Financial Services Committee: Markup on Various Measures: The House Financial Services Committee will conduct a markup on various measures on May 13, 2026, in Rayburn 2128.
• House Education and Workforce Subcommittee: Workforce Safety Hearing: The Subcommittee on Workforce Protections holds a hearing on “Building a Safer Future: Private-Sector Strategies for Emerging Safety Issues” on May 13, 2026, in Rayburn 2175.
• House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee: Permitting Transmission Hearing: The Subcommittee on Energy will discuss “Wires, Rates, and States: Permitting Transmission for Reliable and Affordable Power,” May 13, 2026, in Rayburn 2123.
• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee: Military Construction and Family Housing: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies will examine the FY27 budget request for military construction and family housing on May 14, 2026, in Dirksen 124.
• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee: HUD FY27 Budget Request: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies will examine the President’s FY27 HUD Budget Request on May 14, 2026, in Dirksen 192.

Federal Government News

Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act Signed Into Law

On May 4, 2026, the President signed S. 723, the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025, into law. The legislation creates codified deadlines for the Bureau of Indian Affairs to process residential and business leasehold mortgages on trust or restricted Indian land, setting clear federal timeframes for these transactions.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Executive Order Mandates Fixed-Price Contracting as Default in Federal Procurement

A new Executive Order issued on April 30, 2026, directs federal executive agencies to make fixed-price contracts the default for procurement. Contracts exceeding specified non-fixed-price thresholds will require written justification and senior-level approval, with exceptions for select emergency or R&D activities. Agencies must also review their ten largest non-fixed-price contracts to transition them toward fixed-price structures. Implementation guidance is due from the Office of Management and Budget within 45 days, and Federal Acquisition Regulation amendments are expected within 120 days. Agencies will also be required to report biannually on their non-fixed-price contract usage and justification.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Adjusts Basic Statutory Mortgage Limits for Multifamily Housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced new mortgage limits for multifamily housing programs, effective January 1, 2026. Adjustments apply to programs such as Sections 207, 213, 220, 221(d)(3)/(4), 231, and 234 (condominiums) and reflect a 2.3 percent increase tied to the Consumer Price Index. Applicable limits for units vary based on bedroom count and elevator status, for instance, one-bedroom non-elevator projects under Section 221(d)(4) are now capped at $77,649, while elevator units rise to $84,706. These indexed figures affect FHA multifamily mortgage insurance applications submitted or amended on or after January 1, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

DOE Requests Comment on Methodology for Building Energy Codes Affordability and Cost-Effectiveness

The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking public feedback on its methodology for assessing affordability and cost-effectiveness of residential and commercial building energy codes. Topics include regional differences in construction and energy costs, incremental consumer costs, development of a public cost database, and transparency in the building code development process. Comments are due by August 3, 2026, and DOE may hold stakeholder workshops in addition to written submissions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

April Jobs Report: Factory Construction and Labor Market Developments

The April 2026 U.S. jobs report recorded an increase of 115,000 jobs, including 12,600 jobs in factory construction, substantially exceeding forecasts. The White House notes manufacturing job growth for the first time since 2023, driven by advanced manufacturing and data center investments. Federal workforce reductions have continued, and the unemployment rate remains at 4.3 percent.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Homeownership Savings Act Introduced

H.R. 8709, the Homeownership Savings Act, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 7, 2026. This bill proposes to establish new savings options tailored for home purchase.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To Permit Highway Trust Fund Use for Noise Barriers

H.R. 8717, a bill to amend the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995, would allow construction of specific noise barriers with funds from the Highway Trust Fund. It was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on May 7, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Make the American Dream Real Again Act

H.R. 8677, titled Make the American Dream Real Again Act, was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Skill Savings Accounts Proposal

H.R. 8714 proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code to create skill savings accounts. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 7, 2026.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Safe Transit for All Act of 2026

H.R. 8699, designated the Safe Transit for All Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Sources: www.congress.gov

State Government News

Indiana Bans Land Purchases by Foreign Adversaries

Indiana's Senate Enrolled Act 256, co-authored by Sen. Randy Maxwell, was ceremonially signed into law. The act prohibits foreign adversaries from owning land in the state and requires agents from hostile nations to register with state authorities.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Ohio and Kentucky Launch Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project

Governors Mike DeWine and Andy Beshear marked the start of construction for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project. The initiative includes a new cable-stayed bridge and comprehensive roadway upgrades, with opening scheduled for 2031.

Sources: governor.ohio.gov

Governor Newsom Requests Extension of Federal Disaster Aid for LA Wildfires

California Governor Gavin Newsom formally requested a 12-month extension of FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program to support survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires. The extension aims to provide continued housing and financial aid through July 2027.

Sources: www.gov.ca.gov

Indiana Bill to Modernize Ivy Tech Community College’s Workforce Mission Signed

Senate Enrolled Act 254, authored by Sen. Greg Goode, updates Ivy Tech Community College's governance structure to focus on workforce development, dual credit, and dual enrollment.

Sources: www.indianasenaterepublicans.com

Texas Extends Fire Disaster Declaration for Multiple Counties

Governor Greg Abbott amended and renewed the fire disaster proclamation for over 40 Texas counties, authorizing statewide resource deployment and statute suspension as necessary for emergency response.

Sources: gov.texas.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Big U.S. housing starts slide offers growth warning: Housing starts declined sharply, raising concerns about U.S. economic growth.
• 6-U.S. December CPI, housing starts: December data show movement in U.S. CPI and housing starts.
• Why California governor candidates say housing is too hard to build: Affordable housing issues drive debate in California governor’s race.
• New York Is Working on a Blueprint for Greener Buildings: New York state develops a framework to decarbonize buildings.
• A Federal Housing Handout Has Ended. Foreclosures Will Follow.: The expiration of a federal housing program is expected to lead to increased foreclosures.
• For One Couple, the ABCs of Home Renovation Were Not So Simple: An Indiana couple details the challenges of a schoolhouse home renovation.

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