Connecticut House Bill HB05716

Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/15
• Refer: 1/21/15

Caption

An Act Concerning Fees For Municipal Planning, Zoning, Wetlands And Coastal Management Applications.

Impact

This bill has significant implications for state laws related to municipal planning and environmental management. By lowering the application fees, municipalities may find it more feasible to pursue necessary zoning and coastal management initiatives. The fees collected from these applications, instead of being deposited in the General Fund, would be redirected into a reestablished Environmental Quality Fund. This fund was previously established to support environmental projects and initiatives, thus emphasizing the bill’s commitment to enhancing environmental quality and oversight.

Summary

House Bill 05716 proposes amendments to section 22a-27j of the general statutes to alter the fee structure for municipal planning, zoning, wetlands, and coastal management applications. Specifically, the bill seeks to reduce the fee from sixty dollars to thirty dollars. This reduction aims to ease the financial burden on municipalities and promote more active engagement in various environmental management and planning applications. By lowering costs associated with these applications, the bill intends to facilitate improved participation by local governments in environmentally sustainable practices.

Contention

Although the bill presents a beneficial reduction in fees, there may be potential contention surrounding the reallocation of funds. Critics might argue that the shift from the General Fund to a dedicated Environmental Quality Fund might limit resources available for broader state needs. Furthermore, discussions could arise regarding the effectiveness of reduced fees on actual environmental outcomes and whether the state can ensure adequate oversight with the funds directed towards specific environmental courses rather than more generalized municipal needs. Policymakers will need to consider these factors as they debate the merits of HB05716.