An act relating to identifying underutilized State buildings and land

The enacted version removed the amendment to 29 V.S.A. section 152 that would have required the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services to study and submit a biennial report (by January 15 of each new legislative biennium) examining whether State real property, including underutilized lots in population centers, is suitable for conversion into affordable housing.

The bill title changed from 'identifying State real property suitable for conversion into affordable housing' (as passed) to 'identifying underutilized State buildings and land' (as enacted), shifting the focus away from a specific affordable housing outcome toward a more general inventory exercise.

In subsection (g) of section 165, the language for identifying unnecessary land changed from 'unnecessary for the statutory purpose of the agency' (as passed) to 'unnecessary for State purposes' (as enacted). The enacted version uses a broader standard that could flag more property as unnecessary since it is not limited to an agency's specific statutory mission.

All amendments to 29 V.S.A. section 152 were deleted. These had required the Commissioner of Buildings and General Services to consult with the State Treasurer before transferring unexpended bond balances, notify the Treasurer within 30 days of project postponements, consult on capital appropriations implementation, and submit a biennial report on whether State real property is suitable for affordable housing conversion.

The bill title changed from 'identifying State real property suitable for conversion into affordable housing' to 'identifying underutilized State buildings and land,' broadening the focus beyond affordable housing specifically.

The inventory requirement in 29 V.S.A. section 165(e) was expanded from 'State-owned buildings and land' to 'State-owned or State-leased buildings and land,' bringing leased property into scope.

The frequency for compiling and updating the inventory changed from biannually to annually in section 165(e).

New Section 2 requires agency heads to identify and report to the Department of Housing and Community Development each parcel meeting screening criteria developed under Executive Order No. 06-25 through calendar year 2030.

New Section 2(b) requires the Commissioner of Housing and Community Development to submit to legislative committees by January 15 of each session through calendar year 2031: an inventory of identified properties, a list of those deemed suitable for housing development, and an explanation of the determination.

The effective date provision was renumbered from Section 2 to Section 3 due to the insertion of the new Section 2.

A new section amending 29 V.S.A. Section 152 was added, expanding the bill's scope beyond inventory of underutilized buildings to include a biennial study and report on whether State real property is suitable for conversion into affordable housing.

The bill's short title was expanded from 'identifying underutilized State buildings and land' to also include 'identifying State real property suitable for conversion into affordable housing,' reflecting the new policy focus on housing conversion rather than just identifying unused space.

The Commissioner must now consult with the State Treasurer and Commissioner of Finance before transferring unexpended balances between projects, to confirm the transfer does not adversely affect the tax-exempt status of bonds under Section 103 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Commissioner must also notify the Treasurer within 30 days if any authorized project is postponed.

The Commissioner must consult with the State Treasurer on implementation of projects in each capital appropriations act, including disposition of purchased assets, to ensure satisfactory resolution of legal and tax-exempt status issues for outstanding State bonds.

A new biennial reporting requirement was added: on or before January 15 of each new legislative biennium, the Commissioner must submit a report to the General Assembly examining whether any State real property, including underutilized lots in population centers, is suitable for conversion into affordable housing.

The bill's purpose shifted from identifying State real property suitable for conversion into affordable housing to identifying underutilized State buildings and land generally. The title was changed accordingly.

Removed the biennial report requirement (due January 15 of each new legislative biennium) that examined whether State real property, including underutilized lots in population centers, is suitable for conversion into affordable housing.

Added a new subsection (e) requiring the Commissioner to maintain an inventory of all State-owned buildings and land and to biannually compile and update information received from agencies.

Added a new subsection (g) requiring each agency head to submit an annual inventory including square footage available for use, in actual use, not in use, used for storage, and unfinished; cost per square foot for rent, operation, and maintenance; and the source of funds for those costs.

Added a requirement that agency heads indicate whether any building is vacant and whether any land is unnecessary for State purposes.

Removed provisions related to consulting with the State Treasurer before transferring unexpended bond balances between projects, notifying the Treasurer of project postponements, and consulting regarding capital appropriations implementation.

Added a new subsection (j) requiring the Commissioner to submit the maintained inventory to the House Committee on Corrections and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Institutions by January 15 of each new legislative biennium.