2024 -- S 3036 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC005863/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND

     Introduced By: Senator Melissa A. Murray

     Date Introduced: May 02, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government

     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:

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     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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LC005863/SUB A

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- SUBDIVISION OF LAND

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     This act would require that municipalities implement electronic permitting for all

development applications pursuant to zoning and the subdivision of land.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005863/SUB A

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