General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6994 seeks to amend the laws governing state, regional, and municipal plans of conservation and development by establishing new timelines and requirements for plan revisions and adoptions. The bill stipulates that plans adopted on or before July 1, 2030, must be revised within four years of their last adoption, with subsequent revisions allowed up to nine years apart. It mandates regional councils of governments to create a conservation and development plan by July 1 of the year following the state plan's adoption, focusing on land use, housing, and environmental considerations. Municipal planning commissions are also required to align their plans with regional plans within one year of adoption, emphasizing environmental issues and energy-efficient development.

Additionally, the bill introduces new compliance requirements for municipalities, stating that those failing to meet specific criteria will be ineligible for discretionary state funding unless a waiver is granted. It allows for the formation of special committees to aid in plan development, ensuring that factors such as affordable housing, environmental protection, and infrastructure capacity are considered. The legislation promotes housing diversity and accessibility, particularly for older adults and individuals with disabilities, and includes provisions for public hearings. Key insertions in the bill include updated timelines for plan adoption and the removal of the previous two-thirds vote requirement for plans not endorsed by local legislative bodies, streamlining the approval process. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 8-23