Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act
Summary
H.R. 6773, the "Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act," aims to amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The amendment would require Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients to maintain a publicly accessible, searchable database of all undeveloped land they own. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on December 17, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Financial Services.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 6773 would increase transparency regarding publicly owned land within communities receiving CDBG funding. This could lead to better-informed decisions about land use and development. The searchable database requirement would take effect on October 1, 2026.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in local government.
- Potentially more efficient land use and development.
- Empowered citizens with access to information about public assets.
- Possible reduction in corruption or misuse of public land.
- Better-informed community planning.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential costs for grantees to create and maintain the databases.
- Possible privacy concerns if the database includes sensitive information.
- Risk of the database becoming outdated or inaccurate if not properly maintained.
- Potential for the database to be used for unintended purposes.
- Limited impact if grantees already maintain such databases.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the principle of promoting the general welfare. While the Constitution does not explicitly address databases of publicly owned land, the implied powers granted to Congress under Article I, Section 8, allow for legislation related to federal programs like the Community Development Block Grant program. The requirement for a publicly accessible database also aligns with the First Amendment's principles of freedom of speech and access to information.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).