OPSD urges durable governance for proposed housing data platform HB 17-26

Lauren Premiano of the state Office of Planning and Sustainable Development told committees that HB 17-26 aims to institutionalize cross-agency data coordination to support housing decision-making and policy development but cautioned that long-term success will require a permanent "landing spot" and governance structure to receive and maintain the platform.

"The main point that I want to emphasize is really the long term value of this work is going to depend on having a landing spot, for the work to, to be received and and to be built on," Premiano said. OPSD said there is existing data and internal coordination to build on but that the bill primarily scopes a study rather than funds full construction of a platform; members pressed on scope and staffing and asked OPSD to spell out existing sources and coordination mechanisms. The committee moved the bill forward with amendments and asked agencies to provide scope details to inform future appropriations.