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Bill

S 5072

Authorizes municipalities to purchase private residential real property located in a floodplain

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Griffo and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes municipalities to buy private homes in floodplains to cut flood risk, enabling buyouts and repurposing; affects homeowners, taxpayers, and local governments.

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
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Bill Summary · S 5072

Summary of S 5072 — Authorizes municipalities to purchase private residential real property located in a floodplain

Basic bill information

  • Bill number: S 5072
  • Title: Authorizes municipalities to purchase private residential real property located in a floodplain
  • Status: Referred to the Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
  • Introduced: February 18, 2025
  • Sponsors:
    • Primary: Joseph A. Griffo
    • Co-sponsor: James Tedisco
  • Related bills (prior-session): S 6893, S 4262, S 4220

Purpose and intent

  • The bill would authorize municipalities to purchase private residential real property that is located in a floodplain. The available information indicates the core aim is to empower local governments to acquire residential properties in flood-prone areas, potentially as part of flood risk reduction or resilience efforts.

Key provisions (as available)

  • The text provided here only confirms the core authorization cited in the title. Specific provisions—such as eligible funding sources, purchase methodologies (voluntary buyouts vs. other authorities), appraisal standards, compensation mechanics, land reuse, environmental reviews, or eligibility criteria—are not detailed in the information provided.

Note: Because the actual statutory language is not included in the summary you supplied, the precise operational details, safeguards, and funding frameworks remain unknown. The summary focuses on the stated purpose conveyed by the bill’s title and introductory information.

Who would be affected

  • Municipalities and local governments: Would gain statutory authority to acquire residential properties in floodplains, potentially expanding flood risk management tools.
  • Private homeowners in floodplains: Could be subject to a municipal purchase process if the bill’s provisions allow or require acquisitions.
  • Taxpayers and local jurisdictions: Possible financial implications depending on how purchases are funded and how acquired properties are repurposed or managed over time.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced on February 18, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions.
  • No further legislative actions (hearing dates, amendments, or floor votes) are listed in the provided materials.
  • If advanced, typical next steps would include committee consideration, potential amendments, and floor debate/vote, followed by the other house if applicable.

Related legislative context

  • The bill is aligned with prior-session bills S 6893, S 4262, and S 4220, which signals ongoing interest in municipal authority to acquire floodplain real estate. The specifics of those prior bills are not detailed here.

Open questions for evaluation

  • What funding sources and financial mechanisms would be allowed (municipal bonds, state programs, federal assistance, grants)?
  • Are there eligibility criteria (thresholds for flood risk, homeowner consent, relocation support, timelines)?
  • How would acquisitions be conducted (voluntary sales, eminent domain provisions, appraisal standards, relocation assistance)?
  • How would acquired properties be used or repurposed (buyout programs, open space, floodplain restoration), and what protections exist for current residents?
  • What oversight, environmental review, and reporting would accompany purchases?

This summary presents the bill’s stated objective and known procedural status. A full analysis will require the actual bill text to detail the provisions, safeguards, funding, and implementation framework.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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