Maine bill would let redevelopment land bank handle surplus public land

Representative Cassie Julia introduced LD 1170 on behalf of House District 65 to transfer responsibility for the disposition and redevelopment of surplus public land to the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority.

The bill, as amended during the public hearing, would broaden the land bank’s authority beyond state surplus to include federal, municipal and other government-owned properties declared surplus, and would simplify statutory language so the land bank could act without duplicative steps. Julia said the change would “streamline the process for redeveloping surplus properties” and help local towns that lack capacity to manage redevelopment projects.

Supporters told the committee the amendment addresses real-world problems. Melanie Sachs, sponsor of a companion resolve, urged adding an annual reporting…