Some major progress has been made with a local state senator’s kit home bill. Republican 19th District State Senator Jeff Wilson’s bill, which directs the state Building Code Council to develop new rules specifically for kit homes of 800 square feet or less, passed the Senate unanimously on Tuesday.

Wilson argues that the state needs to adopt new regulations for these types of homes. They were popular a century ago, and he says they are a good way to address housing affordability issues.

These homes typically include precut lumber and all the fittings required to build a house. Kit homes differ from prefabricated houses because much of the assembly is still done on-site. Prices start at less than $10,000, and models range from 60 square feet to more than 2,000.

The bill now moves on to the House.