SB 50-MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS: HOUSING   [CSSB 50(CRA) was before the committee.] 2:08:07 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 50 "An Act relating to the comprehensive plans of first and second class boroughs." 2:08:33 PM SENATOR DUNBAR speaking as sponsor, provided a brief summary for SB 50 and stated that SB 50 makes a small but meaningful change to Alaska's local government planning laws by adding "a housing plan" to the list of elements in comprehensive plans under Title 29. He stated that initially, his office thought comprehensive plans were required by state law, but the statute uses "may," not "shall," so this is more a recommendation than a mandate, still it's symbolically important. SB 50 is supported by groups like Housing Alaskans Public Partnership, UAA's Center for Economic Development, and Assembly Member Anna Brawley, a planner who helped develop SB 50. He said this effort stems from Alaska's housing crisis that lacks sufficient attainable housing at nearly all income levels. SB 50 is part of a broader push to encourage housing development statewide. 2:10:20 PM HAHLEN BEHNKEN, Staff, Senator Forrest Dunbar, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, provided the sectional analysis for SB 50 as follows: [Original punctuation provided.] SECTIONAL ANALYSIS  SB 50: MUNICIPAL COMPREHENSIVE PLANS: HOUSING  Section 1: AS 29.40.030(a): Adds a new subsection 5 to AS 29.40.030(a) stating that a housing plan will now be one of the components that may be included in a comprehensive plan. Redesignates the former subsection 5 as subsection 6. 2:11:12 PM SENATOR DUNBAR stated that his office spoke with Director Mueller and her team over the summer, and while the division plans a full Title 29 rewrite in the coming years, that's a long-term effort. Her office had no objection to his office moving forward with this smaller change in the meantime. SB 50 doesn't require local governments to revise current comprehensive plans or incur new costs. Instead, as cities update their planstypically every 10 yearsthey'll add a housing plan going forward. He stated that he understands comprehensive planning is a heavy lift for local governments, which is why this approach is gradual and practical. 2:12:18 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN announced invited testimony on SB 50. 2:12:34 PM CHRISTOPHER CONSTANT, Chair, Anchorage Assembly, Anchorage, Alaska, testified by invitation on SB 50 and stated that housing is a crisis affecting homelessness, youth leaving the state, and seniors seeking suitable homes. He said Senator Sullivan once hosted a discussion with HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge and housing developers highlighting the severe shortage of new homes and the barriers to building them. Problems can't be solved without a plan, and SB 50's "may" language encourages communities to include housing plans without mandating them. He said Anchorage isn't subject to this, but solutions must work statewide, including rural areas, since people move across communities. Encouraging thoughtful housing planning improves the chances of addressing this persistent challenge effectively. 2:15:15 PM CHAIR BJORKMAN held SB 50 in committee.