Bill Summary: HB 5132

• Reorganizes Connecticut's Zoning Enabling Act (Section 8-2) effective July 1, 2020, to restructure zoning regulations into mandatory requirements (subsection b) and optional provisions (subsection c) for clarity and consistency.

• Requires zoning regulations to affirmatively further the federal Fair Housing Act and mandates municipalities provide housing opportunities for multifamily dwellings, promote housing choice and economic diversity, and meet identified housing needs for low and moderate income households.

• Establishes new affordable housing plan requirements (Section 8-30j) with municipalities required to adopt plans by June 1, 2022, and every five years thereafter, submitted to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management for public posting.

• Creates a working group convened by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management by September 2020 to develop compliance guidelines and incentives for affordable housing plans and zoning regulations, with recommendations due by December 1, 2020, and a report to the General Assembly by March 1, 2021.

• Requires municipalities to demonstrate compliance with affordable housing zoning provisions by June 1, 2022, and with affordable housing plans by June 1, 2027, with all evidence posted on the state office website.