House Passes H.R. 5184, Authorizing DOE to Recommend Manufactured Housing Energy Standards to HUD and Nullifying DOE's 2022 Rule, 263-147
The House convened for a session that included debate and a recorded vote on H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act. This legislation, considered under House Resolution 977, aimed to address housing affordability by modifying the regulatory framework for energy efficiency standards in manufactured housing. The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, shifts the authority for setting these standards from the Department of Energy (DOE) to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and nullifies a 2022 DOE rule. The debate centered on the balance between reducing upfront costs for manufactured homes and ensuring long-term energy savings for residents.
The passage of H.R. 5184 represents a significant shift in Federal regulatory authority over manufactured housing energy standards, potentially impacting the design, cost, and energy consumption of future manufactured homes. By nullifying the DOE's 2022 rule and entrusting HUD with primary authority, the bill prioritizes immediate purchase price considerations while raising questions about the future of energy efficiency in affordable housing. This disposition has implications for both the manufactured housing industry and low-income homeowners.
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Energy to transmit to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development recommendations for changes to preemptive energy conservation standards applicable to manufactured homes.
H.R. 5184Question before the chamber
Passage of H.R. 5184, as amended by the committee substitute.
The case for
Proponents argued that H.R. 5184 would address the housing affordability crisis by eliminating duplicative and burdensome Department of Energy (DOE) regulations that increase the upfront cost of manufactured homes. They contended that the DOE's 2022 rule added $5,000 to $10,000 per home, making them less accessible, and that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the appropriate agency to regulate manufactured housing due to its understanding of the market and affordability mission. The bill streamlines bureaucracy and clarifies accountability, allowing DOE to provide recommendations while HUD maintains full regulatory authority.
The case against
Opponents argued that H.R. 5184 would make housing less affordable in the long run by repealing DOE's energy efficiency standards, which are projected to save manufactured housing residents $475 per year on utility bills and $5 billion over 30 years. They highlighted that HUD had failed to update energy codes for manufactured homes since 1994, leading to inefficient homes with utility bills 70 percent higher per square foot than site-built homes. Opponents also asserted that the true drivers of increased housing costs are tariffs on building materials, not energy efficiency standards.
Disposition
passed · recorded vote
The bill, as amended, was passed by a recorded vote.
263-147
Amendments
- An amendment in the nature of a substitute, recommended by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, was adopted. This amendment modified the bill to authorize the Secretary of Energy to transmit recommendations to HUD for energy conservation standards, rather than directly setting them, and explicitly nullified the 2022 DOE rule. — adopted
Who is affected
- Manufactured home buyers: Will face potentially lower upfront purchase prices but possibly higher long-term utility costs due to the repeal of DOE's energy efficiency standards, depending on future HUD actions.
- Manufactured housing industry: Will operate under a streamlined regulatory framework with HUD as the primary authority for energy efficiency standards, potentially reducing compliance costs and accelerating construction.
- Federal agencies (DOE and HUD): DOE's authority to set mandatory energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes is removed, while HUD's role as the primary regulator is reinforced, with DOE now serving in an advisory capacity.
House Passes H.R. 5184, Shifting Regulatory Authority for Manufactured Housing Energy Standards
highThe House passed H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act, by a recorded vote of 263-147. The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, eliminates the Department of Energy's authority to issue energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing, instead authorizing DOE to transmit recommendations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It also explicitly nullifies DOE's final rule on energy conservation standards for manufactured housing published in May 2022.
Debate Highlights Tension Between Upfront Costs and Long-Term Energy Savings
mediumFloor debate on H.R. 5184 revealed a core tension between proponents' focus on reducing the initial purchase price of manufactured homes through regulatory streamlining and opponents' concerns about increasing long-term utility costs for residents by repealing energy efficiency standards. Proponents argued DOE's rule added $5,000-$10,000 to home costs, while opponents cited potential savings of $475 per year on utility bills under the DOE standard.
Concerns Raised Over HUD's Past Inaction on Energy Standards
mediumOpponents of H.R. 5184 expressed skepticism about shifting primary authority to HUD, noting that HUD had not updated energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes since 1994, prior to Congress directing DOE to set these standards in 2007. This historical inaction was cited as a reason why HUD might again fail to ensure adequate energy efficiency.
Speaker Pro Tempore Issues Reminder on Decorum
lowDuring a special order speech by Mr. Green of Texas, the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Bost) issued a reminder to Members to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. Later, during a special order speech by Ms. Stansbury, the Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Moore of West Virginia) issued a reminder to Members to refrain from using profanity and to address their remarks to the Chair.