The bill S.102, introduced by Senator Beck, proposes significant changes to housing, land use planning, and tax increment financing in Vermont. It deletes specific definitions and regulations related to road construction under Act 250 and introduces new provisions that exempt priority housing projects from certain regulations if they are located within designated development districts and meet specific criteria. The bill also modifies definitions of "mixed use" and "priority housing project" to emphasize the inclusion of residential housing alongside commercial purposes. A new Land Use Review Board will replace the Natural Resources Board, taking on all rights and obligations, while the process for municipalities to apply for area statuses is revised to ensure adequate planning capacity.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Vermont Infrastructure Sustainability Fund to support public infrastructure projects linked to housing production, and it introduces a new fee structure for municipal water supply and wastewater system connections. It also creates the Vermont Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program to assist manufactured homeowners with improvements. The bill appropriates substantial funding for various housing initiatives, including $4 million for the Vermont Rental Housing Improvement Program and $2 million for the Manufactured Home Improvement and Repair Program. Overall, S.102 aims to streamline housing development, enhance community investment, and ensure environmental protections, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 10-6001, 10-6007, 10-6021, 10-6033, 10-6034, 10-6081, 10-6091, 1-312, 24-5802(f), 24-5802, 24-4348, 24-5803, 24-5804, 10-6089, 24-4465, 24-4471, 10-8504, 32-5930ee, 24-4348a, 10-902, 10-913, 10-914, 10-918, 10-919, 10-1971, 10-1972, 10-1973, 10-1976, 3-2822(j), 3-2822, 10-1628, 10-699, 24-1891, 24-1892, 24-1894(a), 24-1894, 24-1896, 24-1898, 32-5404a, 32-3870, 32-3871, 24-119, 32-5404, 10-29