Housing (Historic Preservation)

HB 5376 creates a task force to study whether a faster appeals process is needed for people who disagree with decisions made by historic district commissions. It also adds a new requirement for affordable housing applications using nonstandard, prefabricated, or proprietary construction: applicants must submit a preliminary life safety report certified by a licensed engineer, or the commission may deny the application. The task force, made up of legislative leaders and officials, must report by January 2027 on its findings. This bill directly affects homeowners challenging historic district decisions and developers applying for affordable housing with alternative construction methods. The changes aim to clarify application standards without altering existing building codes.