Committee unanimously reports substitute for House Bill 2‑269 restoring county authority on middle housing and clarifying sewage rules

The House Housing Committee on Jan. 22 reported the proposed substitute for House Bill 2‑269 out of committee by voice vote, with the clerk announcing 17 ayes and 0 nays.

Vice Chair Hill moved the substitute (H‑2,941.1) to be reported out of committee. Representative Engel, who worked on the language with stakeholders including FutureWise and Representative Birnbaum, said the substitute restores current law allowing counties — not just rural counties — to authorize middle housing in designated areas (referred to in the transcript as Lammards) and limits on‑site sewage system authorization to middle housing in certain rural Lammards while nonrural counties would require publicly owned sanitary sewer.

"Last year, we passed the broad middle housing bill out of committee and off the house floor and got it signed into law," Engel said, summarizing the bill’s legislative history and the effort to make the law function better across rural and urban contexts. She described the substitute as incremental progress that helps some districts more than others and urged support.

Chair recommended a yes voice vote; the committee indicated support. Clerk reported 17 ayes and 0 nays, and the substitute was reported out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.

Next steps: the substitute proceeds to the House calendar for further consideration; sponsors and staff indicated interest in continuing work in future sessions to expand middle‑housing opportunities and refine sewer‑system rules.