Land Manager Housing and Workforce Improvement Act of 2025

Summary

Creates new authorities and reporting requirements to help Federal land management agencies acquire, build, manage, partner on, fund, and staff housing for field and seasonal employees. It expands how the National Park Service and Forest Service can obtain and use land and receipts for employee housing, broadens partnership and philanthropic tools, temporarily allows local direct‑hire appointments for certain front‑line positions, and requires agency and GAO studies and reports on workforce housing needs and policy options.

• Creates and expands authorities for Federal land agencies to acquire, develop, and manage land for field employee housing.
• Allows proceeds from excess property and certain cooperative agreement funds to be retained and used for housing without further appropriation.
• Changes Forest Service disposal/sale rules to require solicitation of at least two competitive bids instead of a strict competitive sale standard.
• Permits temporary direct hiring of local residents into certain competitive‑service field positions (up to GS‑9/WG‑15 equivalents) through Sept 30, 2030, subject to merit rules and public notice.
• Modifies seasonal rehiring rules for NPS to ease rehire eligibility and commuting‑area restrictions through Sept 30, 2030.
• Expands partnership tools with States, Tribes, and local governments, including reimbursable agreements and co‑location of staff.
• Broadens philanthropic contributions to include cash, services, and durable goods for park projects including employee quarters.
• Requires an agency workforce‑housing needs assessment and a GAO review with recommendations; agencies must implement identified administrative actions after the GAO report.
• Adds a 30‑day reporting requirement for USDA when providing emergency subsistence to employees outside declared disasters.