Committee Summary for Senate Commerce (02/06/2025)

Innis, Daniel(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Ricciardi, Denise(V Chairman)(R)[C-]2024	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2024	McGough, Tim(R)	Reardon, Tara(D)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB78 00:02:12.959 - 8:31:28 AM	Executive Session	relative to the zoning board of adjustments appeal period.	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
SB27 0158s 00:03:48.519 - 8:33:04 AM	Executive Session	relative to dwellings over water.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB91 00:05:24.199 - 8:34:40 AM	Executive Session	allowing one-time special appraisals of residences located in commercial zones.	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
SB55 00:06:55.960 - 8:36:11 AM	Executive Session	providing temporary exemptions from the land use change tax for qualifying housing projects.	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
SB81 00:12:22.560 - 8:41:38 AM	Executive Session	increasing the annual real estate transfer tax revenue contribution and making an appropriation to the affordable housing fund.	Innis, Daniel(R)[C+]2024
SB84 00:13:54.800 - 8:43:10 AM	Executive Session	relative to zoning procedures concerning residential housing.	Murphy, Keith(R)[B+]2024
SB82 00:17:03.120 - 8:46:19 AM	Executive Session	relative to the housing opportunity project extension and homes for homeland heroes grant program.	Ricciardi, Denise(R)[C-]2024

SB78: Senator Uren Support00:02:12.959 - 8:31:28 AM; Senator Uren expressed support for Senate Bill 78, highlighting the predictability and common sense approach of the bill. He noted that the bill would prevent situations where developers have invested in a project only for it to be rejected late in the process. The only opposition came from the Municipal Association, which he felt was not representative of the broader development community's needs.
SB78: Chair Support00:03:00.360 - 8:32:16 AM; The Chair moved to recommend passage of Senate Bill 78, and it was seconded and passed unanimously by the committee.
SB27 0158s: Senator Support00:03:48.519 - 8:33:04 AM; The Senator discussed concerns raised during the public hearing about the stringent standard in the bill regarding negative environmental impact. An amendment was proposed to specify no new penetrations of the water, which was seen as a more achievable standard. This amendment was supported as it addressed concerns about potential over-water decks.
SB27 0158s: Senator Reon Support00:04:37.280 - 8:33:53 AM; Senator Reon agreed with the amendment, noting that it addressed concerns about the potential for new decks over water. The amendment was moved and seconded, and both the amendment and the original bill were passed unanimously.
SB91: Chair Support00:05:24.199 - 8:34:40 AM; The Chair discussed Senate Bill 91, noting the opposition from the Hudson Town assessor and the Municipal Association. The bill's purpose was to eliminate the need for annual applications for appraisal, emphasizing that it should be the town's responsibility to conduct reappraisals. The Chair found the Municipal Association's objections unpersuasive and moved for the bill's passage, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
SB55: Chair Support00:06:55.960 - 8:36:11 AM; The Chair discussed Senate Bill 55, noting the well-organized email campaign against it. The Chair supported the bill, seeing it as a way to encourage housing construction, despite concerns from communities about potential revenue loss. The Chair mentioned that the revenue impact on towns was inconsistent and suggested retaining the bill to see if other measures would be more effective.
SB55: Senator Support00:07:42.240 - 8:36:58 AM; The Senator agreed with the Chair's assessment of the revenue impact and supported the idea of retaining the bill. They noted the small universe of affected land and the rarity of the proposed development scenarios, suggesting it might not significantly impact conservation commissions or help with housing issues.
SB55: Mr. Quinn Information Only00:10:50.600 - 8:40:06 AM; Mr. Quinn, representing the Realtors, was asked for his perspective on Senate Bill 55. He agreed with the suggestion to retain the bill and assess its impact alongside other legislative measures.
SB55: Chair Support00:11:37.279 - 8:40:53 AM; The Chair moved to retain Senate Bill 55, and it was seconded and passed unanimously by the committee.
SB81: Chair Support00:12:22.560 - 8:41:38 AM; The Chair discussed Senate Bill 81, which aims to incentivize housing construction. The Chair supported this approach and hoped to push the bill through the committee. The bill was moved for passage, seconded, and passed unanimously.
SB84: Senator Support00:13:54.800 - 8:43:10 AM; The Senator expressed strong support for Senate Bill 84, commending the sponsor's introduction and the bill's importance for addressing housing needs. The Senator addressed concerns from small towns about potential overdevelopment, suggesting the bill could be presented as a pilot program to ease public fears. A minor clarification was suggested regarding the bill's interaction with municipal zoning regulations concerning soils, but it was determined that existing language was sufficient. The bill was moved for passage, seconded, and passed unanimously.
SB82: Chair Oppose00:17:03.120 - 8:46:19 AM; The Chair recommended retaining Senate Bill 82, citing the need for significant revisions. The Chair was critical of the bill's prescriptive nature and the proposed $20 million appropriation, preferring a more hands-off approach to development. The Chair moved to retain the bill in committee, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
SB82: Senator Oppose00:17:50.679 - 8:47:06 AM; The Senator agreed with the Chair's assessment, noting the bill's overly prescriptive nature and suggesting that municipalities should not act as developers. The Senator supported the decision to retain the bill, seeing it as not ready for passage.
SB82: Co-sponsor Oppose00:18:36.440 - 8:47:52 AM; The co-sponsor of Senate Bill 82, after hearing the public hearing and further reflection, agreed with the decision to retain the bill. The co-sponsor moved for the bill to be retained, which was seconded and passed unanimously.