The bill amends Chapter 42-64.34 of the General Laws to establish a voluntary Rhode Island housing champion designation program for qualifying municipalities. Under this program, municipalities can apply to receive the designation, which would grant them preferential access to state resources, including discretionary state funds. The Department of Housing is responsible for developing the program, including establishing qualifications and procedures based on a scoring system.

Key qualifications for municipalities to receive the Rhode Island housing champion designation include:

1. Adoption of land use regulations and ordinances necessary to promote housing development consistent with the State Guide Plan housing element and other types of housing for economic development.
2. Training of planning and zoning board members using materials and programs provided by the department.
3. Planning or implementation of sewer and water infrastructure improvements and/or electric infrastructure improvements to support housing development.
4. Planning or implementation of sidewalks, bike lanes, or other infrastructure to support walkable or bikeable neighborhoods or public transportation.

Additional qualifications may include the adoption of financial tools that incentivize housing development, such as the community revitalization tax relief incentive program and the establishment of municipal economic development and revitalization districts.

Municipalities that receive the designation must annually report on measures determined by the department, including land use board applications, approvals, and building permits. The designation is valid for three years, with the possibility of renewal for subsequent three-year periods based on performance metrics.

The Department of Housing is also required to produce an annual report assessing the program's impact, including the number of additional housing units produced as a result of the program. This report will be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate by November 1 of each year, beginning in 2026, and will be posted online on the department's website.