HB4048 - Relating to housing; declaring an emergency.

5 Co-Sponsors

The Act relaxes housing standards, establishes a housing office to enforce housing laws, allows a new UGB amendment and limits counties' role in UGB amendments. The Act goes into effect when the Governor signs it. (Flesch Readability Score: 61.9). Requires local governments to approve certain adjustments to land use regulations for housing development within urban growth boundaries. Establishes alternate appellate procedures for adjustments. Requires certain cities to report to the Department of Land Conservation and Development on the use of adjustments. Requires the department to report biennially to an interim committee of the Legislative Assembly. Sunsets January 2, 2032. Requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development and the Department of Consumer and Business Services to jointly establish and administer the Housing Accountability and Production Office. Requires the office to assist local governments and housing developers with housing laws relating to land use and land divisions. Authorizes the office to take certain actions to enforce housing laws. Establishes new process through which the office may request enforcement orders relating to land use housing laws. Becomes operative April 1, 2025. Requires the office to commission a report on developing efficiencies in housing production and to deliver the report to an interim committee of Legislative Assembly on or before September 15, 2025. Develops an alternative process to amend urban growth boundaries to include up to 150 net residential acres per city. Provides for limitations and review by Metro, where applicable, and for review by the Department of Land Conservation and Development and courts. Sunsets January 2, 2033. Expands eligibility for attorney fees for appeals of residential development proposals to include local governments and all needed housing. Limits counties' role in reviewing cities' amendments to urban growth boundaries. Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to the department to establish and operate the office and to provide grants to local governments for housing law compliance. Declares an emergency, effective on passage.