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 POCD from $200,000 to $1 million for property acquisition, development, and public transportation equipment. Additionally, it mandates that the secretary of the Office of Policy and Management adjust this threshold every five years based on the Producer Price Index for construction. The bill also modifies the notification process for state agencies regarding their actions' conformity with the plan and requires the University of Connecticut to seek advisory statements for its projects. Furthermore, it replaces "regional planning agency" with "regional council of governments" in various statutes and mandates that municipal plans adopted after July 1, 2025, identify areas related to sewerage systems.

The bill also repeals several sections related to priority funding areas (PFAs), which previously designated regions for growth-related projects, thereby allowing state agencies to undertake such projects without the requirement of locating them within these designated areas. This repeal is part of a broader effort to streamline processes and enhance alignment between state and municipal planning efforts with conservation and development goals. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill reflects a shift in policy regarding state development and resource management, aiming to facilitate growth while maintaining conservation objectives.

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