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Senate committee adopts substitute for SB 181, removes mandatory garage requirement for some affordable owner-occupied housing
Summary
A Senate committee adopted a first substitute to Senate Bill 181, a housing affordability measure that removes a requirement that cities mandate garages for housing that counts as affordable owner-occupied units and clarifies parking definitions. The substitute was adopted and the bill sent to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation.
A Senate committee adopted the first substitute to Senate Bill 181 on housing affordability, removing language that would have combined private activity bonds with the Oline Walker Housing Fund and clarifying parking requirements that affect affordable owner-occupied housing.
The substitute, offered during the committee meeting, was approved by voice vote and the committee voted to send the first substitute of SB 181 to the Senate floor with a favorable recommendation. Committee members indicated the substitute was adopted unanimously.
Senator Evan Fillmore, the bill sponsor, said the most significant policy change in the substitute is that "cities would not require a garage for housing that counts as affordable owner-occupied housing. It really can be a way to bring the price of a first home down on a small lot." Fillmore described the change as the result of months of negotiation and compromise.
Public and stakeholder comment at the hearing was broadly supportive. Cameron Dale, executive director of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, said, "We are in support of SB 181," thanking the sponsor for leading a collaborative effort through the Commission on Housing Affordability. Chris Gamruelis of Ivory Development, representing the Property Rights Coalition and the commission on housing affordability, and Mike Ostermiller of the Utah Association of Realtors also expressed support. Steve Waldrip, the governor's housing policy advisor, told the committee that the bill had been narrowed to reach consensus and praised the sponsor's work.
The substitute removed the portion of the prior draft that combined private activity bonds with the Oline Walker Housing Fund and adjusted parking language so that a two-car garage is explicitly equivalent to two parking spaces for the purposes of local regulation.
Following public testimony and brief committee discussion, Senator Quan moved that the committee pass the first substitute of SB 181 with a favorable recommendation; the motion carried and the bill was sent to the Senate floor.
The committee record shows adoption of the first substitute and a favorable committee recommendation; no formal roll-call vote with individual yes/no votes was recorded in the transcript for the substitute, which was described in the meeting as passing unanimously.
The bill will next appear on the Senate floor where further debate and any additional amendments may occur.
