Substitute House Bill No. 6963 proposes significant amendments to existing laws concerning municipal approvals and the New Home Construction Guaranty Fund. Key changes include the establishment of a new expiration timeline for site plan and subdivision approvals, which will now last a minimum of fourteen years, with a maximum of nineteen years, and the introduction of enforcement mechanisms for zoning violations. The bill empowers zoning enforcement officers to take action against businesses that fail to comply with site plan requirements, with penalties for violations capped at $150 per day. Additionally, the bill modifies the process for addressing inland wetlands violations, ensuring timely hearings for individuals issued cease-and-desist orders.

The bill also revises the New Home Construction Guaranty Fund, increasing the maximum claim amount for consumers from $30,000 to $50,000 and allowing claims against both contractors and proprietors. It lowers the fund's annual cap from $750,000 to $650,000 while increasing the transfer amount to the Consumer Protection Enforcement Account from $300,000 to $400,000. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "Proprietor," and clarifies the application process for consumers seeking restitution. Overall, these changes aim to enhance consumer protection, improve compliance with construction regulations, and ensure accountability among contractors and businesses.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-12, 20-417a, 20-417i
PD Joint Favorable Substitute: 20-417a, 20-417i
File No. 620: 20-417a, 20-417i
File No. 810: 20-417a, 20-417i