Bill that would increase participation in NRZ committees passes House

April 24, 2018

The Bridgeport House delegation applauded the state House of Representatives’ passage of a bill that would increase citizen participation in Neighborhood Revitalization Zone committees.

House Bill 5283, “An Act Concerning Neighborhood Revitalization Zones,” passed the state House of Representatives Tuesday with bipartisan support in a 149 to 1 vote.

The bill is supported by the entire Bridgeport delegation and now heads to the state Senate for further action.

This legislation would require municipalities to defend and indemnify NRZ planning committees and its members in certain civil actions. Municipal committee members would be fully protected if a committee rejects a developer’s plan or if the committee member is sued while acting in his or her official capacity.

“As a member of Neighborhood Revitalization Committees, these citizen volunteers play a key role in revitalizing, reinventing and restoring our community. This bill puts the necessary safeguards in place to ensure these volunteers are protected against certain civil actions. By extending these protections to these members, it will help increase committee participation and encourage more residents to have a say in how to improve their neighborhood,” the Bridgeport House delegation said.

Bridgeport and other large cities sponsor several NRZ committees. These community members work tirelessly to set neighborhood priorities, devise plans to revitalize the area and improve quality of life for area residents.