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Committee approves 60/30-day deadlines for local plan reviews, developers say predictability will help housing
Summary
The State and Local Government Committee passed SB 22-37, which requires local governments to approve development applications within 60 business days or provide written deficiencies within 30 business days; a developer testified that delays add cost and slow housing supply.
The State and Local Government Committee approved SB 22-37 as amended, a bill that sets statutory windows for local government action on development applications and a process for releasing development bonds after independent inspection.
Chairman Briggs, sponsor of the administration bill, said the measure "provides clear expectations for both the local government and developers while maintaining the ability of the local government to enforce their development regulations." Witness Caleb Fuqua, owner of Square 1 Construction and chairman of the Robertson County Economic Development Board, told the committee that prolonged plan reviews push costs onto builders and homebuyers and can stall projects "for well over a year." He urged predictable review timelines as a tool to help housing affordability.
Supporters said the measure expedites stalled projects; critics warned that fast deadlines could create unfunded capacity demands for fast‑growing jurisdictions. The committee adopted an amendment that made technical changes and passed the bill (committee reported 7 ayes, 1 no, 1 pass), sending it to the calendar.
