The bill mandates that by October 1, 2025, all municipalities in the state must adopt and implement electronic permitting for all development applications filed under the chapters related to the subdivision of land, zoning ordinances, and low and moderate-income housing. Electronic permitting is defined as the use of computer-based tools and services that automate and streamline various application-related processes, including submission of plans, checklists, reports, plan review, permitting, scheduling, project tracking, and fee calculation and collection. The bill specifies that all acts, requirements, filings, and documents necessary to comply with the application process must be conducted electronically by the specified date.
To support this transition, the bill allows local towns and cities to charge an additional one-tenth of one percent (0.001%) of the total application fee for each application submitted. This additional fee will be transmitted monthly to the state building office at the department of business regulation and will be used to fund the purchase or lease and operation of a web-accessible service or system for statewide electronic submission, review, and processing of development applications. The state building commissioner is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement these provisions, and the department of business regulation is tasked with reimbursing annual fees and costs associated with compliance with this program. The act is set to take effect upon passage.