Committee questions bill removing local notification requirement for state housing grant projects

Lawmakers examined a bill establishing a state housing grant program and raised questions about the removal of local notification requirements.

Committee staff said Senate Bill 11-51 establishes a housing grant program to construct military, transitional, veteran, affordable, or homeless housing and "eliminates the requirement for ADOH to notify city, town, county, or tribal government that an ADOH finance construction project is planned for its jurisdiction and removes the prohibition for ADOH from interfering with or attempting to override the local jurisdictions, planning, zoning or land use regulations."

Why it matters: Several members asked why ADOH would no longer have to notify local governments about planned projects and whether the change would affect public awareness. Representative Fink asked for the reason behind eliminating the notification requirement and whether the public would still have notice; staff replied, "the bill does not specify that specific requirement." That response prompted further questions and requests to defer to the sponsor for rationale.

Discussion and next steps: Committee members asked staff to defer detailed questions to the sponsor and suggested that local governments and tribal entities be consulted. The committee did not vote on the bill during the session.

Ending: The bill remains under committee consideration and members asked for clarification from sponsors and possible amendments to address local notification concerns.