Committee adopts oral amendment to change 'shall' to 'may' in light-touch density bill after concerns from municipalities

The committee considered House Bill 7113, which creates a framework for municipal “light touch” density plans that make it easier to authorize duplexes, triplexes, and other low‑rise multifamily housing where water and sewer are available. Representative Corpus questioned whether the bill’s title—using the word “permitting”—is misleading because the draft is permissive, not mandatory.

Corpus asked specifically about lines 29–32 of the draft, which originally read that a single‑family zone “shall be considered administratively without discretionary review or hearing.” Corpus said the wording reads like a mandate and raised concerns about small municipal planning departments being overwhelmed and about whether environmental and traffic supports have been considered. She also asked why the bill singles out water and sewer availability but not other infrastructure considerations.

The sponsor clarified that the bill allows municipalities to adopt objective zoning standards and that adoption would be optional; after debate, a member moved an oral amendment striking the word “shall” and replacing it with “may” in line 30. The motion to adopt the oral amendment was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. The bill as amended was then moved JF to the floor on a roll‑call vote.

Representative Corpus expressed broader concern about multiple overlapping housing bills creating confusing, overlapping frameworks for municipalities. The sponsor responded that because this bill is optional, towns can opt in only if they want to, and that the proposals can operate alongside other bills by design.

The committee’s adopted amendment makes the measure explicitly permissive, removing the clause that committee members said could have functioned as a mandate. The bill now proceeds to the floor with the oral amendment adopted.