The bill amends the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3, known as the "State Building Code," to establish a comprehensive electronic permitting framework for state and local applications. Key insertions include the creation of a new section, 23-27.3-100.0, which outlines the scope of the chapter and emphasizes the governance of electronic permitting. The bill specifies the duties of the state building code commissioner, including the enforcement of building codes and the standardization of code interpretations. It mandates the development of a standardized electronic permitting platform by October 1, 2025, which will streamline the application and review processes for various permits. Additionally, municipalities will be required to charge an extra fee of one-tenth of one percent of the total application fee to support the operation of this electronic system.

The bill also repeals previous requirements for the building commissioner to develop a standard statewide process for electronic plan review and permit management by specific deadlines in 2013, consolidating these responsibilities into the new electronic permitting framework. It extends the mandate for electronic permitting systems to other state departments, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Environmental Management, requiring them to adopt similar systems by October 1, 2026. The bill aims to modernize the permitting process across various state agencies, enhancing efficiency and accessibility while providing a fee structure to support the implementation and operation of the electronic permitting system.

Statutes affected:
5803: 45-23-36.1, 45-24-58.1, 45-53-16, 23-27.3-100.1.1