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5/6/2025
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House approves Noret bill to enable housing development on underutilized state-owned land
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STATE HOUSE — The House of Representatives today approved legislation introduced by Rep. Thomas E. Noret (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick) that would enable the development of state-owned vacant, abandoned or underutilized land for housing.
The bill is part of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s (D-Dist. 23, Warwick) 12-bill package of legislation regarding housing issues, his fifth comprehensive suite of housing bills since becoming speaker in 2021.
The legislation (2025-H 5802Aaa), which amends the Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Act, is the culmination of study and review undertaken by a special legislative commission helmed by Representative Noret and established by a House resolution (2022-H 7320Aaa) introduced by him in 2022.
“The bill provides an expedited pathway for developing state-owned vacant or underutilized land,” said Representative Noret, “The project would be reviewed by a statewide permitting council at a public hearing similar to the hearing already provided for by the statute. In each case, the developer would be required to show that the project conforms to the state guidelines, that the project is needed for the safety and welfare of residents, that the project has attempted to adhere to local design standards, and there will be no detrimental impact on traffic, stormwater or other requirements.”
Randy Rossi, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, testified in favor of the legislation, telling the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing that “Representative Noret’s commission has played a critical role in evaluating state-owned vacant and abandoned properties that may be utilized for housing opportunities. By establishing a more efficient approval process, this legislation seeks to expedite the transformation of underutilized properties into much needed housing options.”
The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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