State and local planners would update conservation planning rules

State agencies must make covered actions consistent with the state plan of conservation and development and submit notices describing that consistency. This covers state-funded property purchases, property development or improvement, and certain state grants for those activities. The dollar threshold is more than $1 million for property purchases and development or improvement. For grants, applications submitted before October 1, 2026, use a threshold above $200,000; applications submitted on or after that date use a threshold above $1 million. The secretary must adjust the stated amounts every five years using a construction-price index and publish the adjusted amounts. Agencies may consult the secretary before submitting a notice. The State Bond Commission must consider an advisory statement before allocating bond funds for covered actions. These provisions apply July 1, 2026. Grant applications submitted before or on October 1, 2026, use different thresholds as stated above.

The secretary must provide an advisory statement on whether covered UConn 2000 projects follow the state plan, and must review certain legally required plans. The UConn rule covers projects in the third phase of UConn 2000. The planning rule covers any state agency or other preparer required by state or federal law to prepare a plan. UConn may request additional advisory reports. The State Bond Commission must consider the UConn advisory statement before approving the master resolution or indenture for third-phase UConn 2000 securities. A draft plan must be submitted to the secretary, who must provide an advisory report on its consistency with the state plan. The text makes these provisions effective July 1, 2026. The UConn bond-review requirement applies before approval of the specified master resolution or indenture.

Municipal plans of conservation and development must identify where sewer systems exist, are planned, or should be avoided. This applies to any municipal plan scheduled for adoption on or after July 1, 2026. The commission must consider the requirements in the municipal planning section when identifying the sewer-service areas. The requirement applies to plans scheduled for adoption on or after July 1, 2026.

State-plan revisions must describe progress toward earlier goals and identify suitable compact development and highway or rail corridor areas; listed laws use “regional councils of governments” terminology. The revision rules apply to state-plan revisions made after July 1, 2026. The terminology applies wherever the listed statutes use the former regional planning terms. Corridor recommendations must support transportation and land-use choices, connect infrastructure decisions, limit the cost of new infrastructure, use existing infrastructure, and encourage cooperation among municipalities and regions. The text also repeals sections 16a-35c through 16a-35h. The state-plan revision requirements apply to revisions made after July 1, 2026. The terminology and repeal provisions are marked effective July 1, 2026.