IB 
Union Calendar No. 499 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7615 
[Report No. 117–682] 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into partnerships to 
develop housing, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 28, 2022 
Mr. MOORE of Utah (for himself and Mr. PANETTA) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 
DECEMBER 30, 2022 
Additional sponsors: Mr. O’HALLERAN, Mr. NEWHOUSE, and Ms. PORTER 
DECEMBER 30, 2022 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 28, 2022] 
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A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 
partnerships to develop housing, and for other purposes. 
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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 ‘‘Lodging Options Devel-
oped for Government Employees Act’’ or the ‘‘LODGE Act’’. 
SEC. 2. HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS; OCCUPANCY. 
Subchapter III of chapter 1013 of title 54, United 
States Code, is amended— 
(1) by amending section 101331 to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘§ 101331. Definitions 
‘‘In this subchapter: 
‘‘(1) FIELD
EMPLOYEE.—The term ‘field em-
ployee’ means— 
‘‘(A) an employee of the Service who is ex-
clusively assigned by the Service to perform du-
ties at a System unit, and the members of the 
employee’s family; 
‘‘(B) an individual performing duties at the 
System unit who is employed by a Service con-
cession, partnership, educational, or conservation 
organization, whose work supports the mission of 
the System unit, and the members of the individ-
ual’s family; 
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‘‘(C) an individual who is authorized to oc-
cupy Federal Government quarters under section 
5911 of title 5 in the vicinity of the System unit, 
including individuals who are employees of other 
Federal agencies, and the members of the indi-
vidual’s family; or 
‘‘(D) an employee of the Federal Govern-
ment who is— 
‘‘(i) eligible to live in government hous-
ing; and 
‘‘(ii) not an employee of the Service. 
‘‘(2) FUNDAMENTAL
RESOURCES.—The term 
‘fundamental resources’ means resources essential to 
achieving the purposes of the System unit and main-
taining its significance, as identified by the agency in 
planning documents, including Foundation Docu-
ments. 
‘‘(3) HOUSING ACCOMMODATION PROJECT.—The 
term ‘housing accommodation project’ means a 
project for the development, construction, rehabilita-
tion, repair, maintenance, operation or management 
of housing accommodations, including related facili-
ties and infrastructure, pursuant to an agreement en-
tered into under section 101334. 
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‘‘(4) HOUSING PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.—The 
term ‘housing partnership agreement’ means an 
agreement for a housing accommodation project en-
tered into under section 101334. 
‘‘(5) HOUSING UNITS.—The term ‘housing units’ 
means housing units occupied by members of the pub-
lic in housing accommodations developed or leased on 
non-Federal lands under this subchapter. 
‘‘(6) MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC.—The term ‘mem-
ber of the public’ means an individual, and the mem-
bers of the individual’s family, who is not a Federal 
Government employee. 
‘‘(7) PRIMARY
RESOURCE
VALUES.—The term 
‘primary resource values’ means resources that are 
specifically mentioned in the enabling legislation for 
that field unit or other resource value recognized 
under Federal statute. 
‘‘(8) PUBLIC LANDS.—The term ‘public lands’ 
means lands under the administrative jurisdiction of 
the Federal Government. 
‘‘(9) QUARTERS.—The term ‘quarters’ means 
quarters occupied by field employees and are, for such 
purpose,— 
‘‘(A) provided by the Federal Government; 
or 
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‘‘(B) developed or leased by the Federal 
Government in accordance with a housing part-
nership agreement, lease, or contract under this 
subchapter.’’; 
(2) in section 101332— 
(A) in subsection (a)(2), by— 
(i) striking ‘‘rates’’ and inserting ‘‘af-
fordable rates’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, unless otherwise 
authorized,’’ after ‘‘at rates based’’; 
(B) in subsection (c)— 
(i) by inserting ‘‘under the administra-
tive jurisdiction of the Service’’ after ‘‘any 
land’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘or fundamental re-
sources’’ after ‘‘primary resource value’’; 
and 
(C) in subsection (d), by inserting ‘‘, unless 
otherwise authorized,’’ after ‘‘that are based’’; 
(3) in section 101333, by inserting ‘‘or afford-
ability’’ after ‘‘lack of availability’’; 
(4) by amending section 101334 to read as fol-
lows: 
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‘‘§ 101334. Authorization for housing accommodation 
projects 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may, pursuant to 
the authorities contained in this subchapter and subject to 
the appropriation of necessary funds in advance, enter into 
housing partnership agreements with other Federal agen-
cies, State or local governments, Tribal Governments, hous-
ing entities, or other public or private organizations, for 
the purposes of facilitating housing accommodation projects 
for rent to field employees and members of the public— 
‘‘(1) on public lands, including System units; 
‘‘(2) off public lands in the vicinity of System 
units; or 
‘‘(3) a combination of public lands described in 
paragraphs (1) and (2). 
‘‘(b) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.— 
‘‘(1) NATIONAL PARK LANDS.—For any housing 
partnership agreements for housing accommodation 
projects on lands under the administrative jurisdic-
tion of the Service, the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(A) ensure the housing accommodation 
project and the use thereof are in conformity 
with the approved plans, including housing 
management plans, for the System unit and Di-
rector’s Orders and reference manuals related to 
Service housing; 
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‘‘(B) ensure that the location of the housing 
accommodation project will avoid degradation to 
the primary resource values and fundamental re-
sources within the System unit, and will not ad-
versely affect the mission of the Service; 
‘‘(C) ensure the entities responsible for the 
housing accommodation project comply with ap-
plicable law and policies, including the provi-
sions of this subchapter; 
‘‘(D) identify the funding to be used in per-
forming the housing accommodation project; 
‘‘(E) provide standards that must be met, as 
applicable, to ensure that the housing accommo-
dation project, including related facilities and 
infrastructure, are kept in good condition and 
repair; and 
‘‘(F) that the agreements include any other 
terms and conditions the Secretary may consider 
advisable to protect the interests of the United 
States. 
‘‘(2) OTHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE LANDS.—For 
any housing partnership agreements for housing ac-
commodation projects on other public or private lands 
located in the vicinity of the relevant System unit 
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and not under the administrative jurisdiction of the 
Service, the Secretary shall ensure the agreements— 
‘‘(A) have received the approval of each ap-
propriate State or local government, Tribal Gov-
ernment, or other public or private entity in-
volved; 
‘‘(B) identify both the Federal and non-Fed-
eral funding to be used in completing the hous-
ing and related facilities; and 
‘‘(C) any other terms and conditions the 
Secretary may consider advisable to protect the 
interests of the United States. 
‘‘(c) HOUSING OCCUPANCY.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may allow 
field employees and members of the public to occupy 
and lease housing accommodation project quarters. 
‘‘(2) COMPLIANCE.—Members of the public occu-
pying quarters shall be subject to the same laws and 
policies with which field employees are required to 
comply, as applicable. 
‘‘(3) PROHIBITION.—Field employees and mem-
bers of the public shall be prohibited from subleasing 
housing units or quarters developed or leased in ac-
cordance with a housing partnership agreement under 
this section, including all forms of short-term rentals. 
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‘‘(4) PREFERENCE.—To the maximum extent 
practicable, priority for occupancy in project quarters 
shall be given to field employees. 
‘‘(d) CONTRACTING
PROCEDURES.—Each housing 
partnership agreement awarded pursuant to this section 
shall be awarded through the use of publicly advertised, 
competitively bid, or competitively negotiated procedures, 
unless the Secretary— 
‘‘(1) determines that it is in the public interest 
to use procedures other than competitive procedures 
with respect to the particular housing partnership 
agreement concerned; and 
‘‘(2) notifies, in writing, the Committee on En-
ergy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Rep-
resentatives of such determinations and the rationale 
for such determination 
‘‘(e) RENT.— 
‘‘(1) COLLECTION.—The Secretary may collect, 
or may authorize entities who have entered into part-
nership housing agreements under this section to col-
lect, rents directly from field employees and members 
of the public occupying housing units or quarters. 
‘‘(2) RATES.—For field employees, rent collected 
under this subsection may not exceed the rates deter-
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mined pursuant to guidance in the document entitled 
‘Circular No. A–45 Revised’ and dated November 25, 
2019 (or subsequent guidance). 
‘‘(f) EXPIRATION OF AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) WITHIN
SYSTEM
UNITS.—The Secretary 
may allow long-term leases or term-limited ownership 
of housing units or quarters on public lands, as ap-
propriate, to facilitate the ability of an entity with 
whom a housing partnership agreement has been en-
tered into under subsection (b) to secure financing. 
‘‘(2) EXPIRATION OF TERM ON PUBLIC LANDS.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Upon expiration of a 
term of ownership under paragraph (1), the Sec-
retary may— 
‘‘(i) renew the housing partnership 
agreement for terms not to exceed 10 years; 
‘‘(ii) require the entity with whom a 
housing partnership agreement has been en-
tered into under subsection (a) to demolish 
the housing accommodations and related fa-
cilities and infrastructure, and restore the 
land to conditions generally existing before 
construction on the lands upon which the 
housing accommodation project is located 
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without any cost to the Federal Govern-
ment; 
‘‘(iii) take ownership of the housing ac-
commodations and related facilities and in-
frastructure, including fixtures and per-
sonal property necessary for the operation 
of the property; or 
‘‘(iv) enter into a new housing part-
nership agreement. 
‘‘(B) COVERING COSTS.—If taking owner-
ship of buildings under subparagraph (A)(ii), 
the Secretary may require the owner whose term 
of ownership is expiring to cover costs associated 
with preparing the building site for new or con-
tinued use. 
‘‘(3) ON NON-FEDERAL LANDS.—Upon expiration 
of a housing partnership agreement for housing ac-
commodations on non-Federal lands, the Secretary 
may extend the housing partnership agreement for 
terms not to exceed 10 years.’’; 
(5) in section 101335— 
(A) in subsection (a)— 
(i) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking 
‘‘50’’ and inserting ‘‘60’’; 
(ii) in paragraph (2)— 
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(I) by striking ‘‘procedures.’’ and 
inserting ‘‘procedures, unless—’’; and 
(II) by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(A) the lease is awarded to a nonprofit or 
government entity; or 
‘‘(B) the Secretary determines that it is in 
the public interest to use procedures other than 
competitive procedures in the particular lease 
concerned and notifies, in writing, the Com-
mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources 
of the House of Representatives of such deter-
mination and the rationale for such determina-
tion.’’; and 
(iii) in paragraph (3)(D), by inserting 
‘‘, affordability,’’ after ‘‘improve the qual-
ity’’; 
(B) in subsection (b)— 
(i) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); 
and 
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (1) 
the following: 
‘‘(2) TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS.—Any arrange-
ment made pursuant to this subsection shall contain 
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such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers 
necessary or appropriate to protect the interests of the 
United States and ensure that necessary quarters are 
available to field employees.’’; and 
(C) by redesignating paragraph (4) as 
paragraph (3); 
(6) in section 101336, by inserting ‘‘rehabilita-
tion,’’ after ‘‘repair,’’; 
(7) by amending section 101338 to read as fol-
lows: 
‘‘§ 101338. General provisions 
‘‘(a) EXEMPTIONS.—The following provisions shall not 
apply to leases contracts, or housing partnership agree-
ments awarded by the Secretary under this subchapter: 
‘‘(1) Sections 102102 and 102901 of this title. 
‘‘(2) Section 1302 of title 40. 
‘‘(b) PROCEEDS FROM LEASES.—The proceeds from 
any lease or housing partnership agreement under this sub-
chapter from which the Service directly collects the proceeds 
shall be retained by the Service and deposited in the special 
fund established for repair, maintenance, rehabilitation, 
and operations of housing units and quarters and associ-
ated facilities and infrastructure.’’; and 
(8) in section 101340— 
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(A) by amending subsection (a) to strike ‘‘, 
in sequential order,’’; and 
(B) by amending subsection (b) to read as 
follows: 
‘‘(b) ANNUAL BUDGET SUBMITTAL.—Each fiscal year, 
the President’s proposed budget to Congress shall include— 
‘‘(1) identification of non-construction funds to 
be spent for Service housing maintenance and oper-
ations that are in addition to rental receipts collected; 
‘‘(2) the use of each of the authorities provided 
to the Service under this subchapter; 
‘‘(3) the number of additional housing units 
needed within the National Park System; 
‘‘(4) any barriers that have been identified to 
providing the needed housing; and 
‘‘(5) any recommendations for changes to exist-
ing authorities that would help to remove those bar-
riers.’’. 
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Union Calendar No. 499 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 7615 
[Report No. 117–682] 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter 
into partnerships to develop housing, and for 
other purposes. 
DECEMBER 30, 2022 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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