The proposed bill, known as the Yes in God's Backyard (YIGBY) Housing Act, aims to restrict local government regulations on residential developments initiated by religious organizations. It establishes a framework for what constitutes a "qualified development," which includes affordable housing projects on land owned by religious organizations. The bill mandates that cities permit various types of residential buildings based on specified unit counts and densities, while also outlining dimensional requirements such as minimum lot sizes and building heights. Additionally, it allows religious organizations to contract with developers and provides a process for cities to approve or deny development requests without public hearings, although neighborhood meetings may be required for community input.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for civil remedies, allowing religious organizations to seek damages or injunctive relief in district court if they are harmed by violations of the act. It also appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support grants for religious organizations committed to developing affordable housing, which can be used for various costs associated with the development process. Overall, the legislation aims to facilitate the construction of affordable housing by reducing regulatory burdens on religious organizations while ensuring compliance with existing state and federal laws.