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Senate committee debates sweeping housing‑zoning bill, adopts amendment and then tables measure
Summary
Senate Bill 131, a broad package to allow ADUs, duplexes, apartments in commercial zones and curb parking minimums, drew extensive testimony from housing advocates, industry groups and local governments; the committee adopted a friendly amendment on height language but ultimately moved to table the bill for further work.
Senate Bill 131, a sweeping housing‑zoning reform sponsored by Senator Maestas, drew hours of testimony on Feb. 10 before the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee, where members adopted an amendment but then voted to table the measure for further work.
The bill would allow a broader range of housing types to be built by right — including accessory dwelling units (ADUs or “casitas”), duplexes and townhomes in residential zones, and apartments in commercially zoned areas. It would also streamline approvals by limiting discretionary permits and remove minimum parking mandates, proponents said.
“Allowing more housing types such as apartments, duplexes and townhomes will lower development costs and enable private investment without new public spending,” Lisonbee Riley, speaking for the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, told the committee. “This…
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