Bill Sponsors
Nardone, Roberts, Chippendale, Read, Noret, and Serpa
Committee
House Municipal Government & Housing
Summary
Select
This bill allows the town of Coventry to require two parking spaces for every studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit. The town can enforce this requirement if it determines that there is limited or no public transportation or off-street parking available close to the housing units.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Ensures that low-income residents living in areas without adequate public transit are not burdened with finding or paying for off-site parking.
- Prevents housing developers from cutting corners and failing to provide necessary parking amenities for low-income tenants.
- Promotes safer and less congested neighborhoods by reducing the overflow of vehicles onto local streets in affordable housing developments.
Cons for Progressives
- Increasing parking minimums raises the cost of construction, which could deter developers and reduce the overall supply of affordable housing.
- Singles out low- and moderate-income housing for stricter requirements, potentially acting as a discriminatory exclusionary zoning tactic to block these developments.
- Encourages automobile dependency and fossil fuel use instead of promoting investments in green public transportation infrastructure.
Pros for Conservatives
- Empowers local municipal government to make zoning decisions that best fit their community, reinforcing local control over state mandates.
- Protects the property values and quality of life in existing neighborhoods by preventing street crowding and parking shortages from new developments.
- Ensures that residents of subsidized housing are responsible for their own vehicle storage rather than burdening public streets.
Cons for Conservatives
- Imposes additional regulatory burdens and costs on private real estate developers, restricting corporate freedom and free-market building decisions.
- Grants the municipal government subjective power to determine what constitutes "reasonable proximity" to transit, which could lead to arbitrary government overreach.
- Creates special zoning regulations specifically targeting low- and moderate-income housing rather than applying a uniform free-market standard to all property developments.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Low-income renters
- Real estate developers
- Coventry residents
- Affordable housing advocates
- Town zoning officials
Towns Affected
Coventry
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
Importance
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
How clear the language of the bill is. Higher ambiguity equals a lower score.
Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 04/17/2026 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government & Housing
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/26/2026)
• 05/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
• 05/22/2026 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration (05/26/2026)
• 05/26/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Chapter 45-53 of the General Laws entitled "Low and Moderate Income Housing" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
45-53-17. Coventry low- or moderate-income housing parking spaces.
The town of Coventry may require two (2) parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two (2) bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the municipality's determination that there is limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking availability within a reasonable proximity to these low- or moderate-income housing units.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
45-53-17. Coventry low- or moderate-income housing parking spaces.
The town of Coventry may require two (2) parking spaces for each studio, one-bedroom, or two (2) bedroom low- or moderate-income housing unit upon the municipality's determination that there is limited or no local public transportation or off-street parking availability within a reasonable proximity to these low- or moderate-income housing units.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.