Bill > HB2313

This bill authorizes cities and code cities (municipalities that operate under a specific state code) to establish publicly owned grocery stores in areas lacking adequate food access, often referred to as "food deserts." These cities can acquire land, construct or renovate buildings, lease space to private or nonprofit operators, and even use eminent domain to acquire property for this purpose. Funding for these stores can come from capital grants from the department of commerce, which can cover property acquisition, improvements, equipment, and the establishment of "food locker systems" – secure, 24-hour pickup points for food. Additionally, cities can utilize tax increment financing (TIF), a tool where future increases in property tax revenue within a designated area are used to fund public improvements, to support grocery store development and revitalization efforts. The bill also outlines various operational models for these stores, allowing them to be run by city employees, third-party operators, or through cooperative arrangements. To facilitate their establishment, cities are empowered to rezone areas, increase residential density, modify parking rules, and conduct environmental reviews. Finally, cities establishing these stores must provide annual reports to the department of commerce detailing their financial status, community food access, job creation, and, for TIF-funded stores, fiscal reports and impact assessments.