2023 -- H 5375

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LC000577

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING

AND LAND USE ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Cotter, Casimiro, and Fenton-Fung

     Date Introduced: February 03, 2023

     Referred To: House Municipal Government & Housing

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-22.2 of the General Laws entitled "Rhode Island Comprehensive

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Planning and Land Use Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     45-22.2-15. Statewide balanced housing.

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     (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, comprehensive planning by

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municipal governments that promotes compact growth shall not be mandated in any area not

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currently able to support the housing expansion with the current infrastructure relative to drinking

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water and wastewater.

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     (b) No expansion of housing in any municipality shall be permitted without a prior

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determination in coordination with chapter 22.2 of title 45 that the expansion would be consistent

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with the municipality's comprehensive plan.

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     (c) Effective January 1, 2024, no general or public law amending any existing land use

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statute shall be effective without a comprehensive analysis prepared by the secretary of housing

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that addresses all issues relating to the housing crisis which analysis shall be made available to the

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town or city council prior to the adoption of any law that promotes compact growth.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- RHODE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING

AND LAND USE ACT

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     This act would provide that compact growth in municipalities cannot be mandatory and

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would require that an analysis be conducted by the secretary of housing addressing all issues

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relative to the housing crisis prior to any housing project promoting compact growth.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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