Revise university system laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus

2025 Regular Session

Proposes rewriting university housing laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus, giving first-year students flexibility and reshaping campus housing and rental markets.

(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery

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LC 2874 — Summary

Overview

LC 2874, titled “Revise university system laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus,” is a draft bill introduced on December 12, 2024. The status indicates it is an LC (Legislative Council) draft ready for delivery, with ongoing drafting and review activities. The draft has moved through multiple administrative steps in early 2025, including legal review and final drafter review, and as of February 24, 2025, is listed as “Draft Ready for Delivery” in Assembly.

Purpose and Intent

The bill's stated aim, based on its title, is to revise laws governing the university system to remove barriers that prevent freshmen from living off campus.

While the exact provisions are not provided in the available information, the bill appears to seek greater flexibility in housing options for first-year students, potentially reducing mandatory on-campus residency requirements or associated restrictions.

Key Provisions (Text not Provided)

Specific statutory changes are not included in the available materials. Therefore, the precise changes to university housing policy, credit requirements, or residency rules cannot be stated here.

Based on the title, likely areas the bill could address (as commonly addressed in similar legislation) include:

Modifying or eliminating mandatory on-campus residency requirements for freshmen.
Clarifying university housing policies to permit off-campus living for first-year students.
Revisions to contractual, safety, or conduct rules related to off-campus housing.
Requirements for universities to provide information or resources about off-campus housing options.

Important: The above items are plausible topics inferred from the title and are not confirmed in the provided text. The actual bill text will specify the exact changes.

Who Would Be Affected

Freshman students: potential access to off-campus housing options and related policy changes.

Universities within the system: housing office policies, residency requirements, student life rules, and contract administration.

Campus safety, housing services, and student affairs departments.

Local housing markets and landlords surrounding university campuses, as demand for off-campus housing may change.

Families and guardians of entering students who consider housing logistics and costs.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: December 12, 2024.

Legislative actions show a drafting and review pipeline in early 2025:

December 12, 2024: Drafter Assigned
February 19–24, 2025: Draft moves through Legal Review, Edit, Input/Proofing, Final Drafter Review, and Assembly draft stages.
February 24, 2025: (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery and Final Drafter Review in Assembly.

The bill will proceed to committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor consideration once the official text is released.

Next Steps to Watch

Review the actual bill text when released to confirm the specific amendments to university system laws.

Monitor committee hearings for public input, fiscal impact notes, and any amendments.

Assess implementation timelines for universities if new off-campus housing policies are enacted.