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. This threshold will be adjusted every five years based on the Producer Price Index. Additionally, the bill modifies the process for state agencies to demonstrate conformity with the POCD by replacing the requirement for an advisory statement from the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) with a notice submission process, allowing for prior consultation.

The bill also updates terminology by replacing "regional planning agency" with "regional council of governments" and extends the deadline for municipal plans of conservation and development to July 1, 2025. It repeals several sections related to priority funding areas (PFAs), thereby eliminating the requirement for growth-related projects to be located within these designated regions. These changes aim to streamline the regulatory framework for state development projects, enhance alignment between state and municipal planning efforts, and promote efficient resource use, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

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