Substitute House Bill No. 5282 proposes significant amendments to the laws governing the State Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). The bill raises the threshold for state agency actions that require consistency with the POCD from $200,000 to $1 million for the acquisition and development of real property, with a provision for adjusting this threshold every five years based on the Producer Price Index for construction. Additionally, it removes the requirement for state agencies to obtain an advisory statement from the Office of Policy and Management regarding project conformity, replacing it with a notice that explains how the project aligns with the POCD. The bill also eliminates public transportation facilities and equipment from the list of projects needing compliance with the POCD.

Moreover, the bill replaces the term "regional planning agency" with "regional council of governments" and repeals the concept of priority funding areas (PFAs), which previously designated regions for growth-related projects. This repeal streamlines the process for state agencies by removing the requirement that growth-related projects be located within PFAs. The bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of the state plan by promoting compact, transit-accessible development patterns and improving intermunicipal cooperation, with an effective date set for July 1, 2026. Overall, these changes are designed to simplify the regulatory landscape for state development projects without imposing any fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill:
PD Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 58: