Authorizes the town of Smithfield, if an aggregate of two hundred fifty (250) or more units should be proposed in comprehensive permit project(s), to enact an emergency moratorium until the permit requirement of § 45-53-4 are amended.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would give the town of Smithfield, Rhode Island a special legal tool to temporarily pause certain housing development projects under specific circumstances. Under current state law, developers can apply for a "comprehensive permit" to build affordable housing in communities that don't yet meet a minimum threshold of low- and moderate-income housing. This process is designed to encourage affordable housing construction across the state. This bill would allow Smithfield to hit the "pause button" on those projects if the total number of housing units proposed through comprehensive permits reaches 250 or more at one time.

Specifically, the bill would let Smithfield declare an emergency moratorium — meaning a temporary halt — on processing or approving these affordable housing permit applications. This pause would remain in effect until the state updates the requirements outlined in Rhode Island General Law § 45-53-4, which sets the rules for how these comprehensive permits work. Essentially, the town is seeking the ability to slow down development if it feels overwhelmed by a large volume of proposed affordable housing units coming in at once.

This bill primarily affects housing developers who want to build affordable housing in Smithfield, as well as residents and local officials concerned about the pace of development. People looking for affordable housing in the area could also be affected, since a moratorium would delay the construction of new lower-cost units. The bill has been referred to the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.