Veteran Owner-Builders Rights Act

Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Democrat · WA · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Bruce Westerman (R-AR-4)Original· 2026-09-24

Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

2026-09-24

Source: Congress.gov

Plain-English summary pending. Introduced on 2026-09-24. Check back soon — summaries are generated as bills progress through Congress.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.R. 10590 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 10590 To establish a pilot program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs makes direct housing loans to veterans in rural areas for the construction of new homes. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 24, 2026 Ms. Perez (for herself and Mr. Westerman) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To establish a pilot program under which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs makes direct housing loans to veterans in rural areas for the construction of new homes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Veteran Owner-Builders Rights Act''. SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM FOR DIRECT HOUSING LOANS BY THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES. (a) Establishment.--Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall make a direct housing loan to a veteran to purchase land in a rural area (as such term is defined in 343 of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991)) and construct a dwelling, to be owned and occupied by the veteran-- (1) as the veteran's primary residence; and (2) for the period of at least 24 consecutive months that immediately follows such construction. (b) Loan Restrictions.--No loan may be made under the pilot program unless-- (1) the contemplated terms of payment required in such loan bear a proper relation to the veteran's present and anticipated income and expenses; (2) the veteran is a satisfactory credit risk, in accordance with the credit underwriting standards established pursuant to subsection (g) of section 3710 of title 38, United States Code; (3) the nature and condition of the property is such as to be suitable for dwelling purposes; (4) the loan does not exceed the reasonable value of construction determined pursuant to section 3731 of title 38, United States Code; and (5) the veteran agrees to use blueprints furnished under subsection (c) to construct the home in accordance with the requirements under subsection (d). (c) Blueprints.-- (1) Sole source.--Representatives Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Bruce Westerman of Arkansas shall establish housing blueprints in collaboration with the Secretary not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. (2) Furnishing to applicant.--The Secretary shall furnish such blueprints to a veteran who applies for a loan under the pilot program. (d) Domestically-Sourced Wood Products.--The dwelling shall be constructed-- (1) using only domestic lumber for all structural wood framing components; and (2) to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Secretary, using only domestically sourced or domestically manufactured wood products for non-structural components such as cabinets, shelving, interior doors, and trim. (e) State and Local Permits.-- (1) Preemption.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State or local government that receives an application for a construction permit that uses blueprints furnished under subsection (c) shall issue such permit not later than 45 days after such receipt. (2) Fees.--The Secretary shall pay the fee for a permit issued pursuant to paragraph (1). (f) Interest; Terms.--A loan made under the pilot program shall bear interest at a rate of one percent and shall be subject to such requirements or limitations prescribed for loans guaranteed or made under chapter 37…

of title 38, United States Code, that the Secretary determines to be applicable. (g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide technical assistance, directly or through a contracted third party, to a veteran who receives a loan under the pilot program. Such assistance may include the following: (1) Training regarding skills necessary to construct or repair a home. (2) Assistance in filing an application for a permit described in subsection (e). (h) Loan Acceleration for Early Transfer or Lease.-- (1) Requirement.--If, at any time before the completion of the 24-month occupancy period required under subsection (a)(2), the veteran sells, transfers, leases, or otherwise permits any person other than the veteran or the veteran's dependents to occupy the dwelling as a primary residence, the Secretary shall accelerate the loan. (2) Acceleration.--Upon a determination under paragraph (1), the entire unpaid balance of the loan, including any accrued interest, shall become immediately due and payable. (3) Exceptions.--The Secretary may waive acceleration under this subsection if the veteran demonstrates that the early sale, transfer, or lease resulted from-- (A) military deployment or permanent change of station; (B) a documented medical hardship; or (C) any other circumstance the Secretary determines to be unavoidable and not inconsistent with the purposes of the pilot program. (4) Notice.--The Secretary shall provide written notice to the veteran of any determination under this subsection and the effective date of loan acceleration. (i) Termination.--The authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make a new loan under the pilot program shall terminate on the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the making of loans under the pilot program, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2027, to remain available until expended. SEC. 3. MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN HOUSING LOAN FEES. The loan fee table in section 3729(b)(2) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking ``June 9, 2034'' each place it appears and inserting ``June 12, 2034''. <all>

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