House Bill No. 7144 seeks to amend the distribution of funds from the Regional Planning Incentive Account to regional councils of governments (COGs) in Connecticut by repealing the existing Section 4-66k and introducing new provisions effective July 1, 2025. The bill establishes a new funding structure that allocates $400,000 to each regional council for hiring personnel, including a regional building inspector, to bolster housing development efforts. Additionally, it sets aside a total of $7 million to be distributed according to a formula determined by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, which will include both a base payment and a per capita payment based on the latest federal census data.

Furthermore, the bill modifies previous funding amounts for fiscal years 2014 through 2023, replacing them with the new structure for fiscal years 2024 and beyond. It eliminates the requirement for councils to submit proposals for fund expenditure by July 1, 2021, and annually thereafter, thereby streamlining the funding process. The estimated fiscal impact of the bill is projected to cost the Office of Policy and Management $3.6 million starting in FY 2026 due to the increased funding for each council. Overall, HB 7144 aims to enhance regional planning capabilities and support local governments in addressing housing and development needs.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 4-66k
PD Joint Favorable: 4-66k
File No. 623: 4-66k