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Bill

S 7365

Relates to smart growth public infrastructure criteria

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Harckham

Aligns state infrastructure planning and funding with smart growth criteria to prioritize sustainable, transit-oriented projects, protect resources, and boost resilience.

REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
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Bill Summary · S 7365

Summary: Bill S 7365 — Relates to smart growth public infrastructure criteria

Quick Facts

  • Bill Number: S 7365
  • Title: Relates to smart growth public infrastructure criteria
  • Status: Referred to Environmental Conservation
  • Introduced: April 11, 2025
  • Sponsor (primary): Pete Harckham
  • Legislative Actions:
    • 2025-04-11: REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
    • 2025-04-11: REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Purpose and Intent (as inferred from the title)

The bill appears to focus on establishing or modifying the criteria used to evaluate and guide public infrastructure projects through a “smart growth” lens. Smart growth generally emphasizes sustainable development practices such as compact, transit-oriented development; protection of natural resources; efficient land use; and reduction of environmental impacts. While the exact language and objectives are not provided here, the bill’s title suggests aligning public infrastructure planning and funding decisions with smart growth principles.

Potential Key Provisions (Not specified in the provided text)

Because the bill text is not included, specific provisions cannot be detailed. Based on the title, typical provisions in similar measures might include:
- Establishing or updating criteria for evaluating infrastructure projects (e.g., transportation, water, energy, utilities) against smart growth standards.
- Requirements for environmental, land-use, and sustainability impact assessments.
- Metrics for greenhouse gas reductions, energy efficiency, and resilience.
- Preferences or prioritization for projects that promote dense, mixed-use development, public transit access, or redevelopment of underutilized areas.
- Guidelines for coordination among state agencies, local governments, and regional planning entities.
- Reporting, oversight, and compliance mechanisms to ensure adherence to smart growth criteria.
- Possible tie-ins to funding, permitting, or regulatory approvals.

Note: The precise provisions will depend on the bill’s text when publicly available.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • State Agencies: Likely to implement or enforce the smart growth criteria within infrastructure planning and funding processes (e.g., environmental, transportation, and planning departments).
  • Local Governments and Regional Planning Bodies: May be required to align local infrastructure projects with the new criteria or face prioritization changes.
  • Infrastructure Developers and Contractors: Could experience shifts in project evaluation, scoring, or eligibility for state funding.
  • Public and Environment: Potential improvements in environmental stewardship, land-use efficiency, and long-term resilience of public infrastructure.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill has been introduced and immediately referred to the Environmental Conservation committee, indicating that committee review and potential amendments will be the next steps.
  • If advanced, it would proceed through committee hearings, possible amendments, and potential floor consideration in the respective chamber, followed by passage or further revision.

Next Steps

  • Obtain the full bill text to identify specific statutory amendments, definitions (e.g., what constitutes “smart growth”), criteria metrics, reporting requirements, funding implications, and implementation timelines.
  • Monitor Environmental Conservation committee hearings for testimony, amendments, and vote actions.
  • Assess fiscal impact and implementation timeline once the text is available.

If you’d like, I can update this summary with precise provisions and impact analysis as soon as the bill text is released.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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