Tina Smith (D-MN)
Public Housing Fire Safety Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
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 is known as the Public Housing Fire Safety Act. It requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to report on whether automatic sprinkler systems are present during public housing inspections. Within three years, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress on these sprinkler systems and give recommendations to improve fire safety. The bill also establishes a competitive grant program for public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems in certain public housing projects. Finally, it authorizes $25,000,000 to be appropriated to the Capital Fund for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2036 to carry out this grant program.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The legislation directly targets public housing residents, who predominantly comprise low-income households, by funding crucial safety upgrades.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates that the Secretary report on the presence or absence of automatic sprinkler systems during public housing inspections and submit findings to Congress.
- Scored +4
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Automatic sprinkler systems are critical for protecting residents with mobility or physical disabilities who may struggle to evacuate during a fire.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $25,000,000 to be appropriated to the Capital Fund for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2036.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Grant Program for Fire Safety: Under section 4(a), the Secretary must establish a competitive grant program to award grants to public housing agencies specifically to install automatic sprinkler systems in exempted public housing projects. This is positive because it provides funding to help protect residents from fires.
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Transparency and Accountability: Under section 3(a) and section 3(b), the Secretary is required to report on the presence or absence of automatic sprinkler systems during housing inspections and submit a report to Congress with recommendations to improve fire safety within three years. This holds officials accountable by tracking where fire safety upgrades are missing and pushing for improvements.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Funding Limitations: Under section 4(b), public housing agencies are prohibited from using amounts received under this section to install automatic sprinkler systems in a rebuilt multifamily property. This could negatively affect residents in those specific properties by restricting them from getting grant money for sprinkler installations.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The legislation directly targets public housing residents, who predominantly comprise low-income households, by funding crucial safety upgrades. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Automatic sprinkler systems are critical for protecting residents with mobility or physical disabilities who may struggle to evacuate during a fire. Would children be better off under this? — Improving fire safety in public housing creates safer living environments for children residing in these units. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Enhanced fire safety measures in public housing disproportionately benefit elderly residents who may have mobility challenges. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Since public housing projects are largely concentrated in urban areas, city residents will see the primary benefits of these grants. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Black Americans are statistically overrepresented in public housing and benefit from improved housing safety standards. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Hispanic Americans living in public housing benefit from enhanced fire safety protections. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans living in public housing will benefit from increased fire safety and sprinkler installations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural public housing agencies are also eligible to apply for the fire safety grants.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that the Secretary report on the presence or absence of automatic sprinkler systems during public housing inspections and submit findings to Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a new federal reporting requirement and grant program.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill establishes a grant program for public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems, improving public housing safety. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Protecting existing public housing units from fire hazards helps preserve affordable housing stock for vulnerable populations.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Public housing grants are available to eligible housing agencies, which can include rural public housing authorities.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Funding infrastructure retrofits and grant programs provides a modest localized economic boost. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $25,000,000 to be appropriated to the Capital Fund for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2036.
- 9/29/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota