BUILD Act | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

House BillHR 5796Commerce

BUILD Act

INTRO OCT 21· LAST ACTION DEC 1

READING

9MIN

COSPONSORS

2BIPARTISAN

READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL

NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST

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LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

Voters should care about this bill because it aims to tackle economic hardship in specific communities by using local universities as engines for change. If this bill becomes law, it could bring substantial investment and resources directly into areas struggling with low incomes and limited opportunities, potentially leading to new jobs, better services, and a stronger local economy. It would allow universities, often major employers and intellectual hubs, to play a more direct and funded role in their immediate surroundings.

Without this bill, these economically distressed communities might continue to struggle with less access to targeted federal funding for development projects. Universities in these areas would lack a dedicated funding stream to initiate large-scale economic revitalization efforts. The bill represents a specific federal approach to fostering local economic growth by linking it to existing educational institutions, which could lead to tangible improvements in people's daily lives and long-term community resilience.

KEY PROVISIONS

4AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Establishes a grant program for institutions of higher education located in economically distressed communities.

This creates a dedicated funding source for universities to directly engage in local economic and community development.

PROVISION 02

Defines 'distressed community' based on median family income being at least 25% lower than state or national averages.

This sets clear criteria for which universities and communities are eligible, targeting areas with significant economic need.

PROVISION 03

Provides 'planning grants' of up to $100,000 per year for up to two years for universities to develop economic revitalization plans.

This ensures that universities have the resources to thoughtfully plan their projects before receiving larger implementation funds.

PROVISION 04

Offers 'implementation grants' ranging from $25 million to $50 million over five years to carry out approved economic and community development projects.

This provides substantial funding for universities to execute impactful, long-term projects to revitalize their local communities.

SPONSORSHIP

1 + 2

COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%

DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

DEC 1

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

COMMITTEE

OCT 21

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

OCT 21

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeHouse Bill

NumberHR 5796

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedOct 21, 2025

Last actionDec 1, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED OCT 21, 2025

House BillHR 5796Commerce

BUILD Act

INTRODUCED OCT 21, 2025· LAST ACTION DEC 1, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

9 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Establishes a grant program for institutions of higher education located in economically distressed communities.

This creates a dedicated funding source for universities to directly engage in local economic and community development.

med

Defines 'distressed community' based on median family income being at least 25% lower than state or national averages.

This sets clear criteria for which universities and communities are eligible, targeting areas with significant economic need.

med

Provides 'planning grants' of up to $100,000 per year for up to two years for universities to develop economic revitalization plans.

This ensures that universities have the resources to thoughtfully plan their projects before receiving larger implementation funds.

high

Offers 'implementation grants' ranging from $25 million to $50 million over five years to carry out approved economic and community development projects.

This provides substantial funding for universities to execute impactful, long-term projects to revitalize their local communities.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Secretary provides a planning grant

Recipient of a planning grant must complete the implementation plan

Not later than 1 year after grant funds are first awarded

Grant recipient may apply for additional planning funds

Not later than 90 days after a grant recipient submits an application for additional grant funds

Secretary determines whether to award additional planning funds and distributes them

Not more than 2 years

Planning grant term

5 years

Implementation grant term

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
$100,000	Distressed Communities Grant Program (Planning Grants)	discretionary	Up to 2 years (per year)
$25,000,000 - $50,000,000	Distressed Communities Grant Program (Implementation Grants)	discretionary	5 years

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Institution of higher education: A college, university, or other postsecondary school that offers academic degrees or professional certificates.
Economically distressed communities: Areas experiencing significant financial hardship, defined in this bill by having a median family income at least 25% lower than their state or the national average.
Metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area: Geographic areas defined by the U.S. government for statistical purposes, generally consisting of a core urban area and its surrounding communities that are socially and economically linked.
Median family income: The income level at which half of all families earn more and half earn less within a specific geographic area.
Planning grant: Funds provided to develop a detailed strategy or plan for future projects, rather than to carry out the projects themselves.
Implementation grant: Funds provided to put a plan into action and carry out the actual projects or programs.
The Secretary: Refers to the head of a relevant U.S. government department, who would be responsible for establishing and managing this grant program.

ACTION TIMELINE

3 EVENTS

DEC 1, 25

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

COMMITTEE

OCT 21, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

OCT 21, 25

INTROREFERRAL

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Transportation and Infrastructure CommitteeReferred

Oct 21, 2025

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BUILD Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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Discussion

BUILD Act

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

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