H.R. 4761

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4761 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4761

To provide grants to State and local governments that enact or are 
fiscally responsible for implementing right to counsel legislation for 
low-income tenants facing eviction, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 25, 2025

Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania (for herself, Mrs. McIver, Mr. Johnson of 
Georgia, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Jayapal, 
and Ms. Simon) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To provide grants to State and local governments that enact or are 
fiscally responsible for implementing right to counsel legislation for 
low-income tenants facing eviction, and for other purposes.

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 ``Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 
2025''.

SEC. 2. EVICTION RIGHT TO COUNSEL FUND.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered individual.--The term ``covered individual'' 
means a tenant with an income that is equal to or less than 200 
percent of the Federal poverty line.
(2) Covered proceeding.--The term ``covered proceeding'' 
means a civil action in a court or administrative forum for--
(A) eviction, or an equivalent ejectment, from the 
primary residence of the tenant; or
(B) the termination of a housing subsidy.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a 
State government, a local government, or an Indian Tribal 
government.
(4) Fund.--The term ``Fund'' means the Eviction Right to 
Counsel Fund established under subsection (b).
(5) Indian tribal government.--The term ``Indian Tribal 
government'' has the meaning given the term ``Indian tribal 
government'' in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
(6) Right to counsel legislation.--The term ``right to 
counsel legislation'' means legislation that specifies that 
full legal representation shall be provided at no cost to all 
covered individuals in a covered proceeding.
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
of Housing and Urban Development.
(8) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States, 
the District of Columbia, and any territory or possession of 
the United States.
(b) Establishment of Fund.--
(1) In general.--There is established in the Treasury of 
the United States a fund to be known as the ``Eviction Right to 
Counsel Fund'' consisting of the amounts authorized to be 
appropriated under paragraph (2).
(2) Deposits to the fund.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Fund $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2026 through 2030 for the cost of making grants under 
subsection (c).
(c) Grants.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program to 
provide grants to eligible entities that enact right to counsel 
legislation or are fiscally responsible for implementing right 
to counsel legislation.
(2) Application.--
(A) In general.--An eligible entity that desires a 
grant from the Secretary under this subsection shall 
submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in 
such manner, and accompanied by such information as the 
Secretary may reasonably require.
(B) Requirement.--An application submitted under 
subparagraph (A) shall include a certification that the 
eligible entity has enacted right to counsel 
legislation or is fiscally responsible for implementing 
right to counsel legislation.
(3) Priority.--In selecting applicants under this section, 
the Secretary shall prioritize funding for eligible entities 
that--
(A) have enacted, or are fiscally responsible for 
implementing, laws that--
(i) limit the causes for which a landlord 
can evict a tenant or refuse to renew the lease 
of a tenant when the tenant is not at fault or 
in violation of any law;
(ii) require adequate written notice 
periods of not less than 30 days for tenants 
facing eviction;
(iii) establish eviction diversion 
programs; or
(iv) provide emergency rental assistance to 
tenants; or
(B) will prioritize using grant funds for the 
training and recruitment of attorneys to provide 
representation for covered individuals in a covered 
proceeding.
(4) Use of funds.--A recipient of a grant under this 
section may use the grant funds for the costs incurred by right 
to counsel legislation, including providing training resources 
for attorneys representing covered individuals in covered 
proceedings.
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