Chapter 219
2024 -- H 7978 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 06/24/2024

A N   A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND

Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Cruz, Morales, Speakman, Spears, Craven, Azzinaro, Casimiro, and Solomon

Date Introduced: March 05, 2024

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 45-23 of the General Laws entitled "Subdivision of Land" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following section:
     45-23-36.1. Electronic permitting.
     (a) On or before October 1, 2025, every municipality in the state, shall adopt and
implement electronic permitting for all development applications filed under this chapter. For
purposes of this section, “electronic permitting” means use of computer-based tools and services
that automate and streamline the application process to include, but not be limited to, task-specific
tools for: applications; submission of plans; completed checklists and checklist documents; reports;
plan review; permitting; scheduling; certificates of completeness and incompleteness;
supplemental submissions; project tracking; staff and technical review committee comments; fee
calculation and collection.
     (b) The state building commissioner, with the assistance of the office of regulatory reform
and the division of statewide planning, pursuant to the provisions of § 23-27.3-108.2 may
promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
     (c) The local towns and cities shall charge each applicant an additional one-tenth of one
percent (.001%) of the total application fee for each application submitted. This additional amount
shall be transmitted monthly to the state building office at the department of business regulation,
and shall be used to staff and support the purchase or lease and operation of one web-accessible
service and/or system to be utilized by the state and municipalities for the uniform, statewide
electronic submission, review and processing of development applications as set forth in this
section.
     (d) On or before October 1, 2025, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to
the contrary, all acts, requirements, filings, and documents necessary to comply with the application
process shall be conducted by means of electronic permitting.
     (e) The department of business regulation shall reimburse annual fees and costs associated
with compliance with this program in accordance with procedures established by the department.
     SECTION 2. Chapter 45-24 of the General Laws entitled "Zoning Ordinances" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following section:
     45-24-58.1. Electronic permitting.
     (a) On or before October 1, 2025, every municipality in the state, shall adopt and
implement electronic permitting for all development applications under this chapter. For purposes
of this section, “electronic permitting” means use of computer-based tools and services that
automate and streamline the application process to include, but not be limited to, task-specific tools
for: applications; submission of plans; completed checklists and checklist documents; reports; plan
review; permitting; scheduling; project tracking; staff and technical review committee comments;
fee calculation and collection.
     (b) The state building commissioner, with the assistance of the office of regulatory reform
and the division of statewide planning, pursuant to the provisions of § 23-27.3-108.2 may
promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
     (c) The local towns and cities shall charge each applicant an additional one-tenth of one
percent (.001%) of the total application fee for each application submitted. This additional amount
shall be transmitted monthly to the state building office at the department of business regulation,
and shall be used to staff and support the purchase or lease and operation of one web-accessible
service and/or system to be utilized by the state and municipalities for the uniform, statewide
electronic submission, review and processing of development applications as set forth in this
section.
     (d) On or before October 1, 2025, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to
the contrary, all acts, requirements, filings, and documents necessary to comply with the application
process shall be conducted by means of electronic permitting.
     (e) The department of business regulation shall reimburse annual fees and costs associated
with compliance with this program in accordance with procedures established by the department.
     SECTION 3. Chapter 45-53 of the General Laws entitled "Low and Moderate Income
Housing" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     45-53-16. Electronic Permitting.
     (a) On or before October 1, 2025, every municipality in the state, shall adopt and implement
electronic permitting for all development applications under this chapter. For purposes of this
section, “electronic permitting” means use of computer-based tools and services that automate and
streamline the application process to include, but not be limited to, task-specific tools for:
applications; submission of plans; completed checklists and checklist documents; reports; plan
review; permitting; scheduling; project tracking; staff and technical review committee comments;
fee calculation and collection.
     (b) The state building commissioner, with the assistance of the office of regulatory reform
and the division of statewide planning, pursuant to the provisions of § 23-27.3-108.2 may
promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section.
     (c) The local towns and cities shall charge each applicant an additional one-tenth of one
percent (.001%) of the total application fee for each application submitted. This additional amount
shall be transmitted monthly to the state building office at the department of business regulation,
and shall be used to staff and support the purchase or lease and operation of one web-accessible
service and/or system to be utilized by the state and municipalities for the uniform, statewide
electronic submission, review and processing of development applications as set forth in this
section.
     (d) On or before October 1, 2025, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to
the contrary, all acts, requirements, filings, and documents necessary to comply with the application
process shall be conducted by means of electronic permitting.
     (e) The department of business regulation shall reimburse annual fees and costs associated
with compliance with this program in accordance with procedures established by the department.
     SECTION 4. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC005513/SUB A
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