CS/CS/HB 665 (McClain) and CS/CS/CS/SB 812 (Ingoglia) are comprehensive bills dealing with the expedited approval of residential building permits. Of concern to municipalities, the bills do the following:

•Create a two-step application process that would include the adoption of a preliminary plat and a final plat in order to expedite the issuance of building permits.

•Applies to municipalities who have 25 acres more of contiguous land zoned for residential or agricultural purposes.

•Allow cities to work with the appropriate local government agencies to issue an address and a temporary parcel identification number for lot lines and lot sizes based on the metes and bounds of the plat contained in the application.

•Requires municipalities to establish a registry of three qualified contractors to assist with plans review and processing.

•Require applicants to have a performance bond for up to 130%.

•Require applicants to indemnify local governments that issue the permit.

•Specify that upon an applicant's request, a local government must issue no less than 50% of the permits for dwellings to be built. 

•Both bills were amended on the floor to require municipalities with a population of 10,000 or more with 25 acres or more of contiguous land for residential or agricultural purposes to create the expedited approval of residential building permits program. 

CS/CS/CS/SB 812 passed the Senate (40-0) and the House (89-25) and is awaiting action by the Governor. (Chapman)