Overview
- The House approved the housing package 90-56 after roughly seven hours of debate, and the Senate continued deliberations late into Thursday night.
- The bill enables commercial-to-residential conversions as of right if plans meet zoning and building codes, drawing GOP warnings about local control and Democratic claims it will unlock vacant sites.
- Regional councils of government would write housing plans that towns can join for incentives, with grants for communities that build and a requirement for fair rent commissions in municipalities over 15,000 residents.
- The Senate separately passed a $500 million emergency fund 27-8 to ensure federal-style assistance can continue during funding disruptions, following a 126-20 vote in the House.
- Lawmakers advanced related measures including Trust Act changes requiring warrants for courthouse arrests and a mask ban in courthouses, while a UConn Health borrowing plan for Waterbury Hospital awaited Senate action.