I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8302 
To establish a commission to review the programs of the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development and make recommendations for legisla-
tive reforms, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 8, 2024 
Mr. DAVIDSON
(for himself, Mr. MEUSER, Mr. DONALDS, and Mr. 
GARBARINO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
committee concerned 
A BILL 
To establish a commission to review the programs of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development and 
make recommendations for legislative reforms, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘HUD Evaluation and 
Optimization Commission Act of 2024’’. 
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SEC. 2. HUD EVALUATION AND OPTIMIZATION COMMIS-
SION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a com-
mission to be known as the HUD Evaluation and Optimi-
zation Commission (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Com-
mission’’). 
(b) MEMBERS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Commission shall be 
composed of 4 members, appointed not later than 30 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, as 
follows: 
(A) One member shall be appointed by the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
(B) One member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the House of Representa-
tives. 
(C) One member shall be appointed by the 
majority leader of the Senate. 
(D) One member shall be appointed by the 
minority leader of the Senate. 
(2) PROHIBITION
ON
LOBBYISTS.—An indi-
vidual may not be appointed as a member of the 
Commission if the individual was registered as a lob-
byist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 
U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) at any time during the 5-year 
period ending on the date of the appointment. 
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(c) TERMS.—Each member shall be appointed for the 
life of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission 
shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled not later than 
14 days after the date on which the vacancy occurs in the 
same manner as the original appointment. 
(d) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON.— 
(1) ELECTION.—The members of the Commis-
sion shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chair-
person from among the members of the Commission. 
(2) ABSENCE
OF
CHAIRPERSON.—The Vice 
Chairperson shall serve as the Chairperson in the 
absence of the Chairperson. 
(e) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the Com-
mission shall be compensated at a rate equal to the 
daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for 
level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
5314 of title 5, United States Code, for each day 
(including travel time) during which such member is 
engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
Commission. 
(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Each member may be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions 
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under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
(f) MEETINGS.— 
(1) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 30 days 
after the date on which all members of the Commis-
sion have been appointed, the Commission shall hold 
the initial meeting of the Commission. 
(2) SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.—The Commission 
shall meet— 
(A) at least once each month; and 
(B) at the call of the Chairperson or the 
majority of the members of the Commission. 
(g) QUORUM.—A majority of the voting members 
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold 
meetings. 
(h) VOTING.—The Commission shall act only on an 
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Com-
mission. 
(i) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.—The Fed-
eral Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not 
apply to the Commission. 
SEC. 3. DUTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Commission shall review and 
determine— 
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(1) the number, design, complexity, utilization, 
authorization or lack thereof, and potential overlap 
of the current programs administered by the Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban Development (in this 
Act referred to as the ‘‘Department’’); and 
(2) the level of effectiveness of the Department 
and its programs, including identifying how best to 
optimize the effectiveness of each area of review, to 
more effectively meet the Department’s mission 
while reducing waste and mismanagement. 
(b) ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.—The Com-
mission shall analyze the potential performance and cost- 
efficiency benefits that could be achieved through a reor-
ganization of the Department, including consolidation and 
realignment of its programs, and shall make recommenda-
tions regarding— 
(1) changes to the Department’s organizational 
structure to better serve program participants, pro-
tect taxpayers, and create operational efficiencies; 
(2) improvements in the processes that the De-
partment can execute to better fulfill its statutory 
obligations and mission to provide decent, safe, sani-
tary, and affordable housing; 
(3) the reduction of fragmentation and overlap 
between various Department programs and between 
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programs of the Department and programs of other 
Federal agencies, and enhanced program utilization; 
(4) technology-based solutions to allow pro-
grams to operative more efficiently and effectively 
and to better serve eligible program participants; 
(5) quantitative and qualitative measures of the 
effectiveness of programs that provide housing for 
extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate-income 
individuals and families; 
(6) reforms the Department can undertake to 
prevent, to the maximum extent possible, a disrup-
tive loss of benefits by program participants who ex-
perience income growth that may otherwise dis-
qualify them from such benefits (commonly referred 
to as a ‘‘benefits cliff’’) or, conversely, that may dis-
qualify participants with lower incomes marginally in 
excess of program requirements; 
(7) ways to improve the social and economic 
outcomes for program participants, including actions 
the Department can take to mitigate health and 
safety risks to program participants and to foster 
economic mobility and opportunity; 
(8) improvements to enhance transparency, 
oversight, and public accountability; and 
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(9) any such other action that would optimize 
the effectiveness of the Department or its programs. 
(c) REPORTS.— 
(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 9 months 
after the date of its initial meeting, the Commission 
may submit to the Congress an initial report con-
taining its analysis and preliminary recommenda-
tions under subsections (a) and (b). 
(2) FINAL REPORT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of its initial meeting and upon an af-
firmative vote of a majority of the members of the 
Commission, the Commission shall submit to the 
Congress and make publicly available a final report 
containing— 
(A) a detailed statement of the findings, 
conclusions, and recommendations of the Com-
mission under subsections (a) and (b); 
(B) a statement of the assumptions, sce-
narios, and alternatives considered in reaching 
such findings, conclusions, and recommenda-
tions; 
(C) proposed legislative language for reau-
thorization, expiration, termination, or elimi-
nation of programs consistent with the final re-
port; 
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(D) any additional views or recommenda-
tions of individual Commission members with 
attribution and in a separate section of the re-
port; 
(E) a summary of the Commission’s meet-
ings, hearings, and activities; 
(F) a final accounting of the funds the 
Commission received and expended; and 
(G) any other information that the Com-
mission considers to be appropriate. 
SEC. 4. STAFF AND OUTSIDE SERVICES. 
(a) APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF STAFF.— 
The Chairperson of the Commission may appoint and fix 
the compensation of a staff director and such other em-
ployees as may be necessary to enable the Commission to 
carry out its functions, without regard to the provisions 
of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in 
the competitive service, but at rates not to exceed the an-
nual rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive Sched-
ule. 
(b) AGENCY ASSISTANCE.—Upon the request of the 
Chairperson, the head of any agency may detail an em-
ployee of the agency to the Commission without reim-
bursement, and such detail shall be without interruption 
or loss of civil service status or privilege. 
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(c) CONSULTANT, TEMPORARY, AND INTERMITTENT 
SERVICES.—The Chairperson may procure the services of 
experts and consultants and temporary and intermittent 
services in accordance with section 3109(b) of title 5, 
United States Code, but at rates for individuals not to 
exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate paid of pay 
for a position at level V of the Executive Schedule for each 
day during which such consultant or expert is engaged in 
the performance of the duties of the Commission. 
SEC. 5. POWERS. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Commission may, for the pur-
pose of carrying out this Act— 
(1) hold such hearings, sit and act at such 
times and places, take testimony, receive evidence, 
and administer oaths as the Commission considers 
appropriate; and 
(2) require, by subpoena or otherwise, the at-
tendance and testimony of such witnesses and the 
production of any evidence the Commission considers 
advisable to carry out its duties. 
(b) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—The 
Commission may request directly, or require by subpoena 
or otherwise, from any Federal agency such information 
as the Commission considers necessary to carry out its du-
ties. Upon a request of the Chairperson of the Commis-
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sion, the head of a Federal agency shall furnish such infor-
mation to the Commission. 
(c) ISSUANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF SUBPOENAS.— 
(1) ISSUANCE.—Subpoenas issued under sub-
section (a) or (b) shall bear the signature of the 
Chairperson of the Commission and shall be served 
by any person or class of persons designated by the 
Chairperson for that purpose. 
(2) ENFORCEMENT.—In the case of contumacy 
or failure to obey a subpoena issued under sub-
section (a) or (b), the United States district court 
for the judicial district in which the subpoenaed per-
son resides, is served, or may be found may issue an 
order requiring such person to appear at any des-
ignated place to testify or to produce documentary 
or other evidence. Any failure to obey the order of 
the court may be punished by the court as a con-
tempt of that court. 
(d) WITNESS ALLOWANCES
AND FEES.—Section 
1821 of title 28, United States Code, shall apply to wit-
nesses requested or subpoenaed to appear at any hearing 
of the Commission. The per diem and mileage allowances 
for witnesses shall be paid from funds available to pay the 
expenses of the Commission. 
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(e) INFORMATION FROM CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET 
OFFICE AND OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.— 
The Commission may secure directly from the Congres-
sional Budget Office and Office of Management and 
Budget such information, including estimates and anal-
ysis, as the Commission considers advisable to carry out 
its duties. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Com-
mission, the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
or Office of Management and Budget shall furnish such 
information, including estimates and analysis, to the Com-
mission. 
(f) SUPPORT FROM LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.—Upon 
the request of the Commission, the Librarian of Congress 
shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, 
administrative support services, research services, and re-
search staff necessary for the Commission to carry out its 
responsibilities under this Act. 
SEC. 6. EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED LEGIS-
LATIVE LANGUAGE FROM FINAL REPORT. 
(a) INTRODUCTION.— Upon submission of the final 
report required under section 3(c)(2), the proposed legisla-
tive language for reauthorization, expiration, termination, 
or elimination of programs required by section 3(c)(2)(C) 
shall be introduced in the House of Representatives (by 
request) within the next 5 legislative days by the majority 
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leader of the House or by a Member of the House des-
ignated by the majority leader of the House and shall be 
introduced in the Senate (by request) within the next 5 
legislative days on which the Senate is in session by the 
majority leader of the Senate or by a Member of the Sen-
ate designated by the majority leader of the Senate. In 
this section such a bill is referred to as a ‘‘Commission 
bill’’. 
(b) CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENT-
ATIVES.— 
(1) REFERRAL
AND
REPORTING.—The Com-
mittee on Financial Services and any other com-
mittee of the House of Representatives to which the 
Commission bill is referred shall report it to the 
House without amendment not later than 60 days 
after its introduction. If a committee fails to report 
the Commission bill within that period, it shall be in 
order to move that the House discharge the com-
mittee from further consideration of the bill. Such a 
motion shall not be in order after the last committee 
authorized to consider the bill reports it to the 
House or after the House has disposed of a motion 
to discharge the bill. The previous question shall be 
considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption 
without intervening motion except 20 minutes of de-
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bate equally divided and controlled by the proponent 
and an opponent. If such a motion is adopted, the 
House shall proceed immediately to consider the 
Commission bill in accordance with paragraphs (2) 
and (3). A motion to reconsider the vote by which 
the motion is disposed of shall not be in order. 
(2) PROCEEDING
TO
CONSIDERATION.—After 
the last committee authorized to consider a Commis-
sion bill reports it to the House or has been dis-
charged (other than by motion) from its consider-
ation, it shall be in order to move to proceed to con-
sider the Commission bill in the House. Such a mo-
tion shall not be in order after the House has dis-
posed of a motion to proceed with respect to the 
Commission bill. The previous question shall be con-
sidered as ordered on the motion to its adoption 
without intervening motion. A motion to reconsider 
the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not 
be in order. 
(3) CONSIDERATION.—The Commission bill 
shall be considered as read. All points of order 
against the Commission bill and against its consider-
ation are waived. The previous question shall be con-
sidered as ordered on the Commission bill to its pas-
sage without intervening motion except 2 hours of 
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debate equally divided and controlled by the pro-
ponent and an opponent and one motion to limit de-
bate on the Commission bill. A motion to reconsider 
the vote on passage of the Commission bill shall not 
be in order. 
(4) VOTE ON PASSAGE.—The vote on passage 
of the Commission bill shall occur not later than 12 
months after the final report required under section 
3(c)(2) is submitted to the Congress. 
(c) CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE.— 
(1) COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION.—A Commis-
sion bill introduced in the Senate under subsection 
(a) shall be jointly referred to the committee or com-
mittees of jurisdiction, which committees shall report 
the bill without any revision and with a favorable 
recommendation, an unfavorable recommendation, or 
without recommendation, not later than 60 days 
after its introduction. If any committee fails to re-
port the bill within that period, that committee shall 
be automatically discharged from consideration of 
the bill, and the bill shall be placed on the appro-
priate calendar. 
(2) MOTION
TO
PROCEED.—Notwithstanding 
Rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, it 
is in order, not later than 2 days of session after the 
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date on which a Commission bill is reported or dis-
charged from all committees to which it was re-
ferred, for the majority leader of the Senate or the 
majority leader’s designee to move to proceed to the 
consideration of the Commission bill. It shall also be 
in order for any Member of the Senate to move to 
proceed to the consideration of the Commission bill 
at any time after the conclusion of such 2-day pe-
riod. A motion to proceed is in order even though a 
previous motion to the same effect has been dis-
agreed to. All points of order against the motion to 
proceed to the Commission bill are waived. The mo-
tion to proceed is not debatable. The motion is not 
subject to a motion to postpone. A motion to recon-
sider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or 
disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to 
proceed to the consideration of the Commission bill 
is agreed to, the Commission bill shall remain the 
unfinished business until disposed of. 
(3) CONSIDERATION.—All points of order 
against the Commission bill and against consider-
ation of the Commission bill are waived. Consider-
ation of the Commission bill and of all debatable mo-
tions and appeals in connection therewith shall not 
exceed a total of 30 hours which shall be divided 
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equally between the Majority and Minority Leaders 
or their designees. A motion further to limit debate 
on the Commission bill is in order, shall require an 
affirmative vote of a majority of the Members duly 
chosen and sworn, and is not debatable. Any debat-
able motion or appeal is debatable for not to exceed 
1 hour, to be divided equally between those favoring 
and those opposing the motion or appeal. All time 
used for consideration of the Commission bill, in-
cluding time used for quorum calls and voting, shall 
be counted against the total 30 hours of consider-
ation. 
(4) NO AMENDMENTS.—An amendment to the 
Commission bill, or a motion to postpone, or a mo-
tion to proceed to the consideration of other busi-
ness, or a motion to recommit the Commission bill, 
is not in order. 
(5) VOTE
ON
PASSAGE.—If the Senate has 
voted to proceed to the Commission bill, the vote on 
passage of the Commission bill shall occur imme-
diately following the conclusion of the debate on a 
Commission bill, and a single quorum call at the 
conclusion of the debate if requested. The vote on 
passage of the Commission bill shall occur not later 
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than 12 months after the final report required under 
section 3(c)(2) is submitted to the Congress. 
(6) RULINGS OF THE CHAIR ON PROCEDURE.— 
Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to 
the application of the rules of the Senate, as the 
case may be, to the procedure relating to a Commis-
sion bill shall be decided without debate. 
(d) AMENDMENT.—The Commission bill shall not be 
subject to amendment in either the House of Representa-
tives or the Senate. 
(e) CONSIDERATION BY OTHER HOUSE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If, before passing the Com-
mission bill, one House receives from the other a 
Commission bill— 
(A) the Commission bill of the other House 
shall not be referred to a committee; and 
(B) the procedure in the receiving House 
shall be the same as if no Commission bill had 
been received from the other House until the 
vote on passage, when the Commission bill re-
ceived from the other House shall supplant the 
Commission bill of the receiving House. 
(2) REVENUE MEASURE.—This subsection shall 
not apply to the House of Representatives if the 
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Commission bill received from the Senate is a rev-
enue measure. 
(f) RULES TO COORDINATE ACTION WITH OTHER 
HOUSE.— 
(1) TREATMENT
OF
COMMISSION
BILL
OF 
OTHER HOUSE.—If the Senate fails to introduce or 
consider a Commission bill under this section, the 
Commission bill of the House shall be entitled to ex-
pedited floor procedures under this section. 
(2) TREATMENT OF COMPANION MEASURES IN 
THE SENATE.—If following passage of the Commis-
sion bill in the Senate, the Senate then receives the 
Commission bill from the House of Representatives, 
the House-passed Commission bill shall not be de-
batable. The vote on passage of the Commission bill 
in the Senate shall be considered to be the vote on 
passage of the Commission bill received from the 
House of Representatives. 
(3) VETOES.—If the President vetoes the Com-
mission bill, debate on a veto message in the Senate 
under this section shall be 1 hour equally divided be-
tween the majority and minority leaders or their des-
ignees. 
(g) LOSS OF PRIVILEGE.—The provisions of this sec-
tion shall cease to apply to the Commission bill if— 
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(1) the Commission fails to produce the final 
report required under section 3(c)(2) within 20 
months from the date of enactment; or 
(2) the Commission bill does not pass either 
House. 
SEC. 7. TERMINATION. 
The Commission shall terminate 30 days after sub-
mitting the final report pursuant to section 3(c)(2). 
Æ 
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