Substitute House Bill No. 5473 focuses on the expansion of municipal sewerage systems to support housing development and includes a study on the potential elimination of municipal design review processes for residential developments. The bill introduces new definitions to clarify terms related to affordable housing and sewerage systems, and it amends Section 7-246 of the general statutes to allow municipalities to designate a legislative body or create a new board or commission as the water pollution control authority. The bill also includes insertions such as a requirement for municipal water pollution control authorities to prepare and update a water pollution control plan, which must include strategies for providing sewer service to support multifamily housing development in municipalities where single-family homes make up at least fifty percent of the housing stock. Additionally, the bill establishes the sustainable and equitable infrastructure support program, administered by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, to provide funding for sewer connections and infrastructure improvements related to affordable housing development.

The bill requires municipal water pollution control authorities to include in their plans a strategy for providing sewer service to promote the development of multifamily housing in certain municipalities. It also creates a sustainable and equitable infrastructure support program, managed by the Office of Policy and Management, to fund affordable housing developers and municipalities for sewer infrastructure costs and to provide planning grants to update water pollution control plans. The bill mandates the posting of these plans on municipal and agency websites and sets eligibility criteria for affordable housing developments to qualify for funding. The bill includes fiscal impacts, language changes for clarity, and a directive for a study on municipal design review processes, with the bill taking effect on October 1, 2024, except for the study provision, which is effective upon passage.

Statutes affected:
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 7-245, 7-246
File No. 417: 7-245, 7-246