Prohibits contractors from submitting a single application to a local review board seeking a comprehensive permit for housing projects in certain circumstances.

Plain-English Summary

This bill changes the rules around a special permit process used by housing developers in Rhode Island. Currently, contractors and developers can submit a single, combined application — called a "comprehensive permit" — to a local review board when they want to build housing projects that include affordable units. This streamlined process was designed to make it easier to build low- and moderate-income housing by reducing bureaucratic hurdles. This bill would restrict or prohibit developers from using that single combined application in certain situations.

The bill primarily affects housing developers and contractors who build affordable or mixed-income housing, as well as local government review boards and town and city officials. It also indirectly affects residents and communities where new housing projects might be proposed. By limiting when developers can use the simplified application process, the bill could give local communities more control over how housing projects are reviewed and approved in their area.

The details of exactly *which circumstances* would trigger this prohibition are central to understanding the bill's full impact, though those specifics are still being reviewed by the House Municipal Government & Housing Committee. Supporters of such changes often argue they restore local oversight, while critics may argue they could slow down the development of much-needed affordable housing. This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been scheduled for a hearing as of April 2026.