Substitute House Bill No. 7000 proposes significant amendments to the laws governing the State Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The bill raises the threshold for state agency actions requiring consistency with the plan from $200,000 to $1 million for property acquisition, development, and public transportation equipment, with adjustments based on the Producer Price Index every five years. It also modifies the process for state agencies to submit notices regarding their actions' conformity to the plan, eliminating the need for an advisory statement from the Office of Policy and Management (OPM). Additionally, the bill updates terminology by replacing "regional planning agency" with "regional council of governments" and extends the timeline for municipal plans of conservation and development to be adopted after July 1, 2025.

Furthermore, the bill repeals several sections related to priority funding areas (PFAs), which previously required state agencies to consider designated regions for funding growth-related projects. This repeal allows for greater flexibility in project locations, as agencies will no longer be bound to undertake projects within these areas. The bill also mandates revisions to the state plan to include progress towards established goals and objectives and recommendations for promoting compact and transit-accessible development patterns. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, aiming to streamline the regulatory framework for conservation and development in the state.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-23
PD Joint Favorable: 8-23
File No. 271: 8-23