Committee narrowly advances MIDA changes after debate over local control and environmental review

The House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee on March 4, 2025, adopted and then favorably recommended the third substitute of Senate Bill 316, titled "Military Installation Development Authority and other development zone amendments." The committee first adopted the third substitute on a recorded voice vote that the chair summarized as 6–1, with Representative Shelley recorded as voting no. Later the committee took a roll-call on the motion to favorably recommend the bill to the full House; the roll-call result was recorded as 4–3 in favor. The motion to adopt the third substitute was made by Chair Hawkins; the motion to favorably recommend was made by Chair Hawkins as well.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Stevenson, told the committee the measure does three primary things: clarify how sales tax on construction materials…