Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Databases of Publicly Owned Land Act," seeks to amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. It would require grantees of the Community Development Block Grant program to take a specific new action. Specifically, these grantees must maintain a searchable database on a publicly accessible website. This database must identify all parcels of undeveloped land owned by the grantee. The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates a publicly accessible, searchable database of all undeveloped land owned by CDBG grantees.
- Scored +2
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The database provides urban residents with more insight into the land assets held by their local community development grantees.
- Scored +2
Does this make housing cost less?
Increased transparency regarding undeveloped land ownership can assist in long-term housing availability planning.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency: Grantees would be required to maintain a searchable database on a publicly accessible website (Section 2(a)(3)). This allows the public to see what land is being held.
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Access to Information: The database must identify all parcels of undeveloped land owned by the grantee (Section 2(a)(3)). This provides clear information regarding available undeveloped land.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts are explicitly stated in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a publicly accessible, searchable database of all undeveloped land owned by CDBG grantees.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people in cities be better off under this? — The database provides urban residents with more insight into the land assets held by their local community development grantees. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Information on land ownership can assist in future community development projects that benefit low-income areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Increased transparency regarding undeveloped land ownership can assist in long-term housing availability planning. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Mapping undeveloped land may aid community development efforts aimed at reducing poverty.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The requirement for a searchable database improves the tracking and management of publicly owned undeveloped parcels.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The database could provide information on available land that may be useful for small business development.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill utilizes a publicly accessible website to disseminate information.
- 3/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ami BeraDemocrat · California