An Act to support the equitable utilization of third party consultants in land use determinations

This bill requires cities and towns to maintain a certified list of at least three qualified third-party consultants per field (e.g., engineering, environmental review) for land use decisions like building permits. Applicants can choose a consultant from this list, receive proposals from multiple options, and cannot be charged for consultant travel costs. Local government boards must coordinate to avoid duplicating consultant reviews when multiple agencies review the same project. The law directly affects applicants seeking land use approvals and local governments managing permitting processes. It aims to create a more transparent and cost-effective system for consulting services.