Senate advances housing-transit reinvestment zones with limited expansion and GOEO study requirements

The Senate on Feb. 15 amended and passed second substitute Senate Bill 140, a measure that updates housing and transit reinvestment zone (HTRZ) law.

Sponsor Senator Harper said the substitute consolidates prior work, “allows housing transit reinvestment zones around light rail and transit facilities, BRT,” sets definitions for eligible housing types and requires equal participation among local taxing entities. He said GOEO (Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity) must review feasibility studies before adoption.

Senator Harper offered Amendment 3 (clarifying a distance measurement unintentionally altered in drafting) and Senator Fillmore successfully moved Amendment 2 to expand the zone by an additional quarter mile in limited circumstances where large master-planned developments or opportunity zones exist. Harper said his amendment and Fillmore’s did not conflict and the sponsor ultimately supported the combined changes.

Harper emphasized the bill’s goal of maximizing development potential near transit stations and encouraging housing diversity. After debate and summation, Harper moved passage. The Senate recorded the vote and the second substitute SB140 passed (25 yay, 0 nay, 4 absent) and will be transmitted to the House for consideration.

Action and next steps: The bill’s amended language will proceed to the House; local taxing entities and GOEO will be involved in feasibility and implementation if jurisdictions adopt HTRZs.