Senate committee backs task force to inventory development fees and impact on housing costs

Senator Weber presented Senate File 4749, which would create a 16‑member task force charged with inventorying and analyzing state and local taxes, permit fees, park dedication and infrastructure impact fees that affect housing development costs.

Grace Kelleher, representing the Builders Association of Minnesota, testified in favor and called for a neutral, data‑driven foundation to guide policy. She said variation in local fees and opaque permit accounting can add materially to the final price of a home and urged the task force to produce transparent, actionable findings.

Committee members supported the objective but probed details: whether the study should analyze effects on final market price versus underlying construction costs, whether deed‑transfer or transactional taxes fall within scope, how the task force would collect negotiated or proprietary fee information, and whether staff support would be required to assemble statewide data.

Senators suggested clarifying language to ensure the task force captures the cumulative effect of costs and to define the inventory methods. With those concerns noted and the author accepting continued drafting, the committee recommended SF 4749, as amended, to pass and referred it to the Committee on State and Local Government.

The bill aims to create a time‑limited, bipartisan body that can recommend legislative options to reduce unnecessary cost burdens while preserving essential local services.