LCI advances bill to allow affordable housing in military redevelopment projects after amendment

The Labor, Commerce and Industry committee reported favorably on S.190 after adopting a subcommittee amendment that removed a proposed extension of redevelopment authority authorization. The legislation would expressly allow redevelopment authorities (RDAs) created for closed or realigned federal military installations to include affordable housing projects in redevelopment plans.

Committee staff summarized that three RDAs are established under chapter 12 of title 31 — the Charleston Naval Complex Redevelopment Authority, the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base Redevelopment Authority, and the Savannah River Site Redevelopment Authority — and that redevelopment projects have traditionally included buildings, parking and infrastructure. The bill would explicitly permit affordable housing projects to be included in those redevelopment plans and would allow certain portions of projects outside project areas if they support infrastructure.

The bill originally contained language to extend the RDAs’ sunset date beyond January 1, 2028, but the subcommittee recommended striking that section and the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote. After the amendment was adopted, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. Committee members noted that permitting affordable housing could affect future development plans but that, according to the fiscal information provided, authorizing affordable housing would not change total available RDA funding or overall expenditures.

No roll-call vote tallies are recorded in the transcript; actions were taken by voice vote.