Bill > LD1498

This bill addresses Maine's housing crisis by modifying how municipalities can impose impact fees on housing developments. The bill requires municipalities to establish clear, publicly accessible policies explaining how they determine the need for infrastructure improvements and calculate developers' cost contributions. Specifically, municipalities can still require developers to construct infrastructure improvements or pay impact fees, but must now demonstrate that the required improvements are necessary to accommodate the development and that the fees are proportionate to the development's use of the infrastructure. The bill expands the definition of infrastructure facilities to include items like water and waste treatment facilities, roads, public safety equipment, parks, and school facilities. Additionally, the bill mandates that municipalities must encumber (commit) impact fee funds within 360 days of receipt and use them in a manner consistent with their comprehensive plan. These changes aim to provide more transparency and fairness in the municipal impact fee process, potentially reducing barriers to housing development by making fee requirements more predictable and reasonable for developers.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1498&snum=132