ESTABLISHING THE TASK FORCE FOR SPEED (SIMPLIFYING PERMITTING FOR ENHANCED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) TO IDENTIFY ACTIONS NEEDED TO EXPEDITE, FACILITATE, AND COORDINATE STATE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL PERMIT PROCESSES.

HCR 157 establishes the "Task Force for SPEED" (Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development) to study and recommend ways to speed up state and local permitting for housing, commercial, and industrial projects. The task force, composed of 13 state agency representatives (including Business Development, Housing Finance, and Water Resources) and 5 county planning officials, will identify delays in current processes and propose solutions. It must hold its first meeting by October 2025 and submit findings and recommendations - including potential new legislation - to the Legislature by August 2026. This resolution does not change existing laws but creates a collaborative body to address permitting bottlenecks affecting developers, residents, and economic growth.