Model
Legislation

American cities are the engines of opportunity and economic growth — but they’re poorly-tuned for the modern era. Decades of local, state, and federal policies designed to hamper urban growth have made too many cities unaffordable. MAP’s model legislation provides ready-to-use tools for advocates and legislators who want to change the laws standing in the way.

How to use this library:

For Legislators & Staff

Introduce or
adapt a bill

Browse by policy area to find bills that address your state’s most pressing housing and transportation challenges
Download or copy the bill text to be introduced as-is or adapted to fit your state’s needs
Review state profiles to see how similar reforms have moved and what lessons other states have learned
Reach out to MAP for technical assistance and implementation guidance

For Advocates & Organizations

Build the
case for reform

Use MAP's model bills as a benchmark when evaluating proposals in your state
Share bill text and FAQs with legislative champions and allied organizations
Draw on state profiles and real-world examples to show that these policies have broad, bipartisan support
Connect with MAP to tailor legislation to your state's priorities and political landscape

Browse by issue area

More Home Choices Transportation Choices

More Home Choices The US is short more than 4 million homes, and we build 35% fewer units per capita than we did between 1960 and 2000. Our model legislation focuses on the highest-leverage state-level policies that set clear, uniform standards across municipalities to unlock housing production at scale.

Transportation Choices Thriving cities require abundant housing, connected by great transportation systems and Transportation networks are in crisis. US cities face massive transit funding gaps, crumbling maintenance backlogs, roadway safety failures, and some of the highest infrastructure delivery costs in the world. Our model legislation focuses on policy tools to deliver transportation projects faster, cheaper, and better.

Starter Homes (Small Lots)

This bill legalizes starter homes — townhomes, cottages, and modest houses — by allowing homes to be built on smaller lots.