Senate committee advances bill tightening limits on local down‑zoning and early judicial review

At a meeting of the Senate Local Government & Housing Committee, members advanced House Bill 10‑93, a measure sponsors said would tighten state protections against local measures that reduce residential density without offset and would let local governments seek early judicial review of proposed land‑use ordinances.

The bill’s prime sponsor, Senator Ball, told the committee the measure is aimed at preserving recent gains in housing affordability and closing “end runs” around the earlier law HB 23 12 55. “So what this bill does, 10 93, is that it strengthens, HB 23 12 55 and continues the positive trend that we're seeing in our state right now with regard to the cost of housing by, preventing local governments from imposing laws that have the effect of increasing density, even when that's not done through an explicit cap,” Ball said.

The bill also would create a pre‑enforcement option for municipalities to obtain a court ruling on whether an initiated ordinance is lawful before an election or implementation, an element supporters said would avoid wasted campaigns and litigation.

Why it matters: Sponsors argued HB 10‑93 responds to local…