Bill would allow state trust land leases for single‑family ‘‘attainable’’ workforce housing; committee hears questions about precedent

Representative Curtis Schomer, sponsor: "House bill 9 31 is a constituent bill. What this bill will do is it will allow for DNRC state lands to be leased." (sponsor opening)

House Bill 931 drew extended committee discussion about school trust land policy, constitutional limits and whether the proposed leases would create a precedent for commercial development of state trust lands. The sponsor said the bill targets underused parcels near schools and growing towns and would use long leases structured to keep dwellings owner‑occupied and affordable by removing the land cost.

Context and content: The bill would permit the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to lease selected school trust lands for single‑family and multifamily attainable workforce housing, with leases…