The bill amends the Local Government Code to establish an option for third-party review of development documents and inspections, allowing applicants and landowners to seek reviews and inspections from qualified individuals if a regulatory authority fails to act within a specified timeframe. Specifically, it introduces provisions that enable applicants to obtain a review from a third party, such as an engineer or a qualified inspector, if the regulatory authority does not approve or conduct inspections within 15 days. The bill also clarifies that the third-party reviewer must act in accordance with applicable laws as if they were the regulatory authority.

Additionally, the bill prohibits regulatory authorities from requiring applicants to waive their right to third-party reviews or to seek additional approvals for documents already approved by third-party reviewers. This ensures that applicants retain their rights and that the review process is not unduly complicated by additional requirements from regulatory authorities. The changes apply only to development documents or inspection requests that are not finalized by the effective date of the Act, which will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if not.