BUIILD Act of 2017

To improve the housing conditions and promote useful land uses within tribal communities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bringing Useful Initiatives for Indian Land Development Act of 2017 BUIILD Act of 2017 2. Environmental review Section 105 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4115 (e) Consolidation of environmental review requirements (1) In general If a recipient is using one or more sources of Federal funds in addition to grant amounts under this Act in carrying out a project that qualifies as an affordable housing activity under section 202, where grant amounts under this Act constitute the largest single source of Federal funds that the recipient reasonably expects to commit to the project at the time of environmental review, the recipient’s tribe may, in addition to assuming all of the responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and action pursuant to subsection (a), assume all of the additional responsibilities for environmental review, decisionmaking, and action under provisions of law that would apply to the Federal agencies that are the other sources of Federal funds for the project. (2) Discharge A tribe’s compliance with the additional responsibilities described in paragraph (1), as well as the review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related laws specified in regulations issued under this section with regard to such project shall be deemed to discharge the responsibility of such other Federal agencies for compliance with any applicable environmental review requirements with respect to such project. (3) Certification In the case of a tribe that assumes additional responsibilities described in paragraph (1), the certification under subsection (c) shall, in addition to the content required under subsection (c), specify— (A) the additional responsibilities that the tribe has fully carried out under this subsection; and (B) that the certifying officer consents to assume the status of a responsible Federal official under such additional provisions of law. (4) Liability (A) In general A tribe that completes an environmental review pursuant to this subsection shall assume sole liability for the content and quality of the review. (B) Remedies and sanctions In the event that the Secretary has approved a certification and release of funds for a project in accordance with subsection (b), but the Secretary or another funding Federal agency subsequently learns that a tribe failed to carry out its responsibilities as described in subsection (a), the appropriate remedies and sanctions may be imposed in accordance with regulations issued pursuant to section 106, or in accordance with other sources of Federal funds assisting the project. (C) Statutory violation waivers In the event that a statutory violation waiver request is made under subsection (d) and is approved by the Secretary, such approval of the waiver request shall discharge other sources of Federal funds assisting the project from imposing remedies or sanctions. . 3. Authorization of appropriations Section 108 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4117 2009 through 2013 2018 through 2025 4. 99-year leasehold interest in trust or restricted lands for housing purposes Section 702 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4211 (1) in the section heading, by striking 50 99 (2) in subsection (b), by striking 50 years 99 years (3) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting (in effect before, on, or after the date of enactment of the Bringing Useful Initiatives for Indian Land Development Act of 2017 law (B) in paragraph (2), by striking 50 years 99 years 5. Training and technical assistance Section 703 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4212 703. Training and technical assistance There are authorized to be appropriated for assistance for providing training and technical assistance to Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2025. Such assistance shall be made available to training and technical assistance providers. . 6. Loan guarantees for Indian housing Section 184(i) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z–13a(i)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (5)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting after the period at the end of the first sentence the following: There are authorized to be appropriated for those costs $12,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2025. (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking 2008 through 2012 2018 through 2025 (2) in paragraph (7), by striking 2008 through 2012 2018 through 2025 7. Leveraging All funds provided under a grant made pursuant to the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 ( 25 U.S.C. 4101

Summary: Bringing Useful Initiatives for Indian Land Development Act of 2017 or BUIILD Act of 2017 This bill amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to modify the environmental review process used for certain affordable housing activities on Indian reservations. Specifically, the bill allows an Indian tribe that receives federal funds in addition to block grant amounts under the Act to assume all of the responsibilities for environmental review that would apply to the federal agencies providing funds for the project if the grant amount constitutes the largest single source of federal funds that the tribe reasonably expects to commit to the project at the time of environmental review. The bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the block grant program for affordable housing activities on Indian reservations, training and technical assistance for Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities, and the Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund. In addition, the bill increases from 50 years to 99 years the term that tribal trusts or restricted lands may be leased for housing development and residential purposes. Funds provided under a grant under the Act may be used to meet matching or cost participation requirements under other federal or nonfederal programs.