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Commerce subcommittee advances housing bills, removes water-study requirement for multifamily in commercial zones
Summary
The Commerce subcommittee recommended 'ought to pass' on several housing measures, notably removing a water-supply study requirement from HB 10-10 and adopting an amendment intended to prevent towns from adding new barriers to multifamily projects in commercial districts.
The Commerce subcommittee voted to recommend several housing-related bills, moving those measures to committee consent with amendments designed to ease multifamily development in commercial zones.
Senator Murphy (speaker 1), who led discussion on House Bill 10-10, said the adopted amendment removes a requirement that planning boards order a water-supply study for multifamily projects. "Water studies are generally useless. They're expensive. They often serve as an impediment to development," he said, describing the change as preserving a town's ability to require a water connection while dropping the explicit study mandate.
The committee also debated HB 11-03, which adjusts tax-credit terms for workforce housing to align with federal standards. Members endorsed amendment 16-62 to allow up to 15 years when workforce housing is created while preserving a shorter base term when it is not. Supporters said the change better incentivizes workforce units; some members expressed concern the longer credit period shifts benefits unevenly.
On House Bill 15-88, Senator Murphy offered amendment 17-01 to prevent municipalities from imposing additional requirements on multifamily housing proposed in commercial districts. "A municipality shall not impose additional requirements for multifamily housing proposed to be located within commercial districts ... beyond those specifically allowed in this section," he said, arguing some towns had adopted restrictions that effectively blocked projects allowed by last year's law. The amendment also includes a provision allowing recovery of attorney's fees to deter unreasonable local obstacles.
The subcommittee handled the bills by voice vote and placed several on consent for the Commerce committee and floor consideration. Committee members emphasized the measures aim to implement last year's legislative changes and to prevent local ordinances from circumventing state housing objectives.
Votes at a glance: the committee recommended HB 10-10 ought to pass as amended (amendment 16-94 removing the water study); HB 11-03 and its amendment 16-62 were adopted; HB 15-88 and amendment 17-01 were adopted. Each item will proceed to Commerce or the Senate floor for further action.
The panel will next consider these measures in Commerce and on the floor as scheduled by leadership.
