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: 2026-02-15 to 2026-02-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Small Business Committee Hearing: Career and Technical Education for Main Street Success: The House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing titled 'Career and Technical Education: Developing the Future of Main Street Success' on February 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
• House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity Markup: Affordable Housing and Workforce Acts: House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity will mark up legislation including H.R. 7141 (Affordable Housing Guarantee Act), H.R. 1803 (Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act), H.R. 1957 (End Veteran Homelessness Act), and several others on February 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM in Cannon House Office Building, Room 360.
• House Rules Committee Meeting: Homeowner Energy Freedom and Home Appliance Protection Acts: The House Rules Committee is scheduled to review H.R. 4758 (Homeowner Energy Freedom Act) and H.R. 4626 (Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act) on February 23, 2026, at 9:00 PM, in Capitol Room H-313.

Federal Government News

DOE Proposes Updates to Policy for Pricing Materials and Services Sold by Department

The Department of Energy (DOE) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to revise its general pricing regulation covering materials and services sold to entities outside the Federal Government, including foreign organizations and contractors. The proposal incorporates statutory changes since the original rule's promulgation in 1980, codifies the reduction in the Federal Administrative Charge (from 3% to 1% effective October 1, 2025), and clarifies full cost recovery, exclusions by statute, and special pricing activities for user facilities, proprietary research, and intellectual property licensing. The document details updated definitions and lists programmatic exclusions, such as natural gas regulations, sales governed by the Isotope Production Fund, and transactions under the Energy Policy Act. DOE invites public comment by April 20, 2026, through regulations.gov or by mail. The rule, if finalized, will affect project pricing, user facility access, and partnership arrangements for commercial and research entities.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Proposes New Rule on Citizenship Verification for Housing Assistance

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a proposed rule revising Section 214 program requirements under the Housing and Community Development Act. The rule mandates verification of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status for all applicants and recipients of covered programs, eliminating the 'do not contend' provision for individuals who previously avoided status confirmation. Prorated assistance will become a temporary measure pending verification rather than a permanent solution. Notification protocols are updated to ensure tenants and applicants are informed about eligibility checks and their right to informal hearings. The rule removes references to inactive programs such as Section 235 and Rent Supplement. Public comment on the proposal is open until April 21, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

HUD Issues Information Collection Notice for Public Housing Admission and Occupancy Policies

HUD issued a 60-day public comment notice regarding revised information collection on public housing reform, focusing on admission and occupancy requirements for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). PHAs are required to make written policies available for inspection, covering eligibility, preferences, and rent determination. Updates reflect statutory changes under QHWRA and HOTMA, including one-time updates addressing over-income families and new annual reporting obligations. With 2,667 PHAs currently active, HUD estimates 64,008 annual burden hours and a cost of $1,388,333.52. Comment submissions accepted until April 20, 2026, via regulations.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Announces New Homeownership and Housing Affordability Initiatives

The White House released a summary of housing policy measures enacted by President Trump, including directives to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage-backed securities, prohibitions on institutional investor purchases of single-family homes, and banning illegal aliens from taxpayer-backed mortgages. Mortgage rates have reached their lowest point since September 2022, and the National Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Index is at a four-year high. The removal of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and recent rent declines have contributed to increased homeownership and a surge in mortgage refinance applications. The administration positions these measures as efforts to increase housing supply and stability.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

DOL Submits Agency Information Collection on Cadmium in Construction Standard

The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) submitted an information collection request concerning the Cadmium in Construction Standard for OMB review. The standard requires employers to monitor worker exposure, conduct medical surveillance, and keep accurate records to support health and safety compliance. The notice invites public comments by March 20, 2026, with an estimated 10,000 private-sector respondents and 50,444 annual burden hours. The collection is used to document exposure and facilitate health monitoring, affecting employers, workers, and physicians within the construction sector.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Modern Worker Empowerment Act

Bill 1319, the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, was placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 431, in the House. The legislation is in the Labor and Employment policy area and may influence construction sector workforce regulations upon passage.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• US single-family housing starts rebound in January, building permits decline: Housing starts increased in January, while building permits continued to decline.
• Exclusive | White House Offers New Details on Its Push to Ban Housing Investors: The White House provided further details on its initiative to prevent housing investors from buying single-family homes.
• U.S. Housing Starts Rose in November, December: Data shows consecutive increases in U.S. housing starts during late 2025.
• Mamdani to Use New Power to Speed Up Housing Development in the Bronx: Mamdani is set to accelerate housing development in the Bronx under newly granted authority.
• Trump administration moves to end housing assistance for mixed immigration families: The Trump administration initiates measures to halt housing aid for families with mixed immigration status.
• Retirement, medical, homeownership? A new workplace benefit for buyers: Employers add home purchase benefits to traditional retirement and medical offerings.
• Mamdani Fills Out Housing Board in Push to Freeze Rent: Mamdani expands Bronx housing board to support efforts for rent freeze.
• Construction workers bond with girl, 4, who had sign: ‘Waiting for a ♥’: Construction workers formed a connection with a child awaiting a heart transplant.

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