To exempt Federal actions related to the construction of infill housing from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes.

This bill would dramatically simplify the federal review process for actions related to building infill housing by exempting those federal actions from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) major federal action requirement. In practice, that means certain federal approvals or financing for infill housing could proceed without the typical NEPA analysis (e.g., an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement). The bill also tightens site criteria and tracking for what counts as infill housing (including where it can be located and what environmental due diligence is required). Additionally, it requires the federal disaster program to update its natural hazard risk assessments more frequently (every 3 years instead of every 5). The exemptions hinge on specific definitions: infill housing sites must meet size, adjacency to urban uses, and environmental assessment standards (Phase I and, if needed, Phase II with remediation under CERCLA). Sites also cannot be located in areas FEMA identifies as high wildfire or flooding risk. The scope of “infill housing activity” covers acquisition/disposition, demolition (excluding historic structures), construction/rehabilitation/development, and conversion of non-residential buildings to infill housing. The bill also amends the Stafford Act to accelerate hazard risk assessment updates.