Substitute Senate Bill No. 207 proposes significant changes to the jurisdiction and operations of housing authorities. The bill seeks to redefine the "area of operation" for housing authorities, introducing the concept of an "expanded area of operation," which allows a housing authority to adopt an area in a municipality other than where it is located. It also redefines various terms such as "authority," "bonds," "clerk," "eligible developer," and others, providing detailed descriptions for each. Notably, the bill specifies that housing authorities cannot establish a police force or exercise eminent domain in an expanded area of operation. It also revises the criteria for establishing a housing authority in a municipality, requiring a resolution from the governing body that identifies specific housing needs for low-income and moderate-income families.

The bill further includes provisions for the creation of regional housing authorities, which would have the same responsibilities as individual housing authorities but could operate across multiple municipalities. It outlines the composition and terms of the board of commissioners for these regional authorities. The bill amends the definitions of "veteran" and modifies the eligibility criteria for public housing, allowing housing authorities to consider an applicant's history of criminal activity or alcohol abuse. Additionally, the bill provides tax exemptions for nonprofit housing organizations and clarifies the definitions of various terms related to housing projects. The bill allows housing authorities to operate in any other municipality, not just neighboring ones, and makes technical and conforming changes. The effective date is set for October 1, 2024, and the bill has no fiscal impact on the state or municipalities. The Housing Committee reported the bill favorably.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-39, 8-40, 8-44b, 8-50, 8-45a, 8-389, 8-113a, 8-116d, 8-119h, 8-119l
HSG Joint Favorable: 8-39, 8-40, 8-44b, 8-50, 8-45a, 8-389, 8-113a, 8-116d, 8-119h, 8-119l
File No. 40: 8-39, 8-40, 8-44b, 8-50, 8-45a, 8-389, 8-113a, 8-116d, 8-119h, 8-119l