House passes economic development bill

The House yesterday approved an economic development bill with $561 million in funding and a number of policy provisions.

One policy provision of concern to municipalities would allow multifamily housing by-right on land owned by religious institutions. The MMA has stated that this type of by-right provision undermines the local process and bypasses community input.

The bill includes another provision that would standardize site plan review, and a provision that would create an opt-in program for communities wishing to convert commercial buildings to housing.
Several provisions relate to micromobility devices, including a speed tier classification system and standardized definitions for ridership and safety.

House members proposed more than 680 amendments, with several provisions passing.

Amendments in the final House bill include a provision to create a permanent working group on doubled-up utility poles and a pilot program designed to expedite the removal of double poles by allowing a single qualified entity to move all participating stakeholder attachments.

Also included were provisions to:
• Allow licensed bars and restaurants to begin serving alcohol at 8 a.m. rather than 10 a.m.
• Allow municipalities to create bylaws allowing for tenants of multifamily buildings to have the right of first refusal when the building is sold
• Boost funding for public ambulance services through an intergovernmental transfer program to help unlock federal matching dollars

The bill’s grant authorizations include:
• $25 million to support the Downtown Vitality Fund
• $25 million for Creative Economy and Cultural Infrastructure grants
• $50 million for grants and technical assistance for municipalities that have opted in to the commercial conversion program

The bill now moves to the Senate. Under new legislative rules, July 31 is the deadline for the Senate to pass its version of the bill and for both chambers to formally appoint a conference committee to resolve any differences.