The bill amends various sections of the Rhode Island Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act to facilitate the development of state-owned vacant, abandoned, or underutilized land for housing purposes. Key insertions include the establishment of a new section, 45-22.2-10, which outlines the coordination of state agencies in relation to comprehensive plans, ensuring that state programs and projects conform to these plans once approved by municipalities. Additionally, a new subsection (h) is added, detailing the public hearing process that state agencies must follow when proposing projects that do not conform to local comprehensive plans or zoning ordinances. This process requires state agencies to demonstrate the necessity and compliance of their projects with state goals and local design standards.

Furthermore, the bill amends sections 45-23-27 and 45-24-28 to clarify that local regulations and zoning ordinances do not apply to state projects on the specified state-owned lands, provided that the public hearing requirements are met. The amendments aim to streamline the process for developing housing on state-owned properties while ensuring that local input is considered. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
1093: 45-22.2-10, 45-23-27, 45-24-28