Committee reports bill expanding State Housing Finance Commission lending authority

Substitute House Bill 2,236, which would amend the State Housing Finance Commission’s authorizing statute to allow direct mortgage loans to borrowers for multifamily housing development, was reported out of the Capital Budget Committee with a due-pass recommendation. Committee staff summarized the bill as a set of statutory updates and said there were no amendments (Dawn Eichner, committee staff).

The committee discussed the intended effect and scope of the substitute. Rob Hatfield, staff to the committee, clarified procedural intent and asked whether the committee planned to move the substitute as recommended by the policy committee; members confirmed that intent.

During discussion, the bill’s supporter asked members for a yes vote, calling the provisions “cleanup” to align the Housing Finance Commission statute with the Commission’s current functions. Committee members flagged both support and concerns; some members indicated a mixed vote because they viewed parts of the proposal as an expansion of the Commission’s authority.

On the roll call, the clerk recorded individual votes and announced a final tally of 10 yeas, 6 nays, and 3 excused. By that vote, the substitute House Bill 2,236 was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

The committee did not adopt any amendments and moved on to other business after the vote.