Senate committee hears wide slate of housing measures, approves MBTA weekend-service resolution and holds most bills for further study

Providence — The Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government on April 3 took up a heavy agenda of housing and land-use measures, approving a resolution urging expanded weekend MBTA commuter-rail service at Wickford Junction and holding a string of bills for further study after hour‑plus hearings with developers, nonprofit housing advocates, property owners and municipal officials.

The meeting began with Senate Resolution 632, introduced by Chairwoman Susan Sysnowski, which “respectfully request[ed] the governor, the director of DOT and the MBTA to study restoring weekend service” on the Providence–Stoughton/Wickford Junction corridor. Chairwoman Susan Sysnowski said the change would make it easier for commuters and support the state’s climate goals by shifting trips off highways. The committee voted to pass the resolution by voice vote.

Several condominium‑law bills and related measures drew the most testimony. Senator Burke’s Senate Bill 496 and a package from Senator McKinney (Senate Bills 507, 508 and 509) were discussed together: 507 would require condominium associations to notify unit owners within 30 days of any increase in the association master‑policy insurance deductible; 508 would create a process to notify mortgagees and deem approval after a set response window; and 509 (and a related sub A) would permit remote participation and voting in association meetings when certain procedural safeguards are met.

Ellie Holman, president of the Polo Club Condominium Association, described how 30 days’ notice of a deductible increase helps owners plan and maintain adequate unit policies. Christine Montanaro, vice president at the same association, said many unit owners are “not necessarily computer savvy” and that the option to meet virtually would help owners who spend months away from Rhode Island. Patrick Holland of Barcan Management Group and Mary Jo Howes of Lombardi Law (Community Association Institute, Rhode Island Legislative Action Committee) also testified in support, urging clarifications and noting a pending sub A to align the remote‑meeting bill with Massachusetts law. The committee voted to hold those bills for further study.

The committee also heard Senate Bill 900, which would modify how certain manufactured‑home units can count toward a municipality’s affordable‑housing percentage under…