A Senate conference committee on Senate Bill 2225 narrowed a proposed new housing infrastructure grant program and approved a $5 million appropriation to an existing community property improvement program focused on slum‑and‑blight remediation for towns with fewer than 4,500 residents.

Senator Sickler, the conference committee chair, said the original bill proposed larger funding levels ($50 million initially, later $30 million in the House) to support infrastructure for new housing development. The conference committee concluded resources were not available to launch a new statewide program and recommended redirecting funds to an established program that assists communities with abandoned or dilapidated properties.

Under the conference report, the $5 million is a 1‑to‑1 match for participating communities and the Commerce Department will determine grant recipients. Senator Sickler said the program would be used where infrastructure already exists and local governments demonstrate matching capacity.

Senator Engott asked about distribution criteria; Sickler pointed to statutory language in the bill (page 2, subsection 3) limiting eligibility to communities with populations under 4,500 and confirming the match and Commerce Department oversight.

On final passage the secretary recorded 35 ayes, 11 nays and 1 absent; the bill passed and the emergency clause carries, making the appropriation effective immediately upon enactment.