Committee advances 'Build Act' to ease infrastructure costs for small towns

Representative Lawson, the bill’s lead, told the committee SB 2060 is intended ‘‘to help a lot of our small towns with their biggest challenge when it comes to development, which is the upfront cost of infrastructure.’’ The measure—branded in floor discussion as the "Build Act"—would create a statutory pathway for financing public improvements tied to new development.

The committee’s discussion focused on municipal authority and fiscal risk. Representative West Hammy, referencing concerns from a city manager, asked whether the bill would allow independent boards to issue debt and levy assessments in ways that could fragment infrastructure and limit municipal zoning authority. "Is that a concern?" West Hammy asked.

Leader Lawson replied that an amendment adopted before the hearing addresses that risk, saying the bill now specifies that "nothing in the improvement plan interferes with the city or county’s ability to protect infrastructure, comprehensive planning, zoning or any other requirements the city or county shall impose through contracts between the governing body and the applicant of the proposed master development district." He added that the bill is statutory, not constitutional, and that existing local authorities can shape improvement plans before agreeing to them.

Representative Fugate compared the proposal to a previously failed state question that would have allowed levying millage to support similar projects. Lawson said the Build Act is more prescriptive and statutory, relies on private or other financing rather than a property-tax mechanism, and includes guardrails to address the earlier concerns.

After extended questioning, the committee voted to report SB 2060 out with a do-pass recommendation by a 22–5 margin. The bill will move to the full chamber for further consideration.

Ending: The committee reported SB 2060 out with a do-pass recommendation and no amendments were adopted on the floor during this hearing; the next procedural step is consideration by the full chamber.