The proposed bill would update the Arizona Revised Statutes by introducing a new section, 9-470.01, which allows applicants to engage Independent Providers for application reviews and building inspections, provided there is no financial interest between the applicant and the provider, and the provider does not offer legal counsel. This new provision would require municipalities to reduce their fees for reviews or inspections based on the savings from using Independent Providers. Additionally, it mandates that these providers maintain professional liability insurance with specified minimum coverage amounts, and it ensures that municipalities must provide equal access to relevant documents for both Independent Providers and applicants.

The bill also establishes a timeline for municipalities to respond to applications, stating that failure to act within the specified timeframe would result in automatic approval of the application. It allows for appeals to a planning and development board and prohibits municipalities from imposing more restrictive regulations on Independent Providers than those set forth in the new section. Furthermore, it affirms the rights of applicants to pursue civil action if they believe a municipality has misapplied laws or improperly rejected their applications. The act is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2025, and includes a severability clause to maintain the validity of the remaining provisions if any part is invalidated.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-470.01
House Engrossed Version: 9-470.01