This bill amends current law regarding the establishment of advisory boards for development districts by removing the mandatory requirement for municipalities to create such boards. Instead, it allows municipalities the option to form advisory boards at their discretion. The new legal language specifies that the legislative body of the municipality "may" create an advisory board, replacing the previous requirement that they "shall" do so. This change aims to provide municipalities with greater flexibility in managing development districts.

Additionally, the bill outlines that if a municipality chooses to create an advisory board, it must ensure fair representation of business and community interests, with a majority of members being owners or occupants of real property within the community. The bill also stipulates that in predominantly residential development districts, the board must consist solely of owners or occupants from that community. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of July 21, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 162-K:14
Version adopted by both bodies: 162-K:14
HB1161 text: 162-K:14