Bill > H1670

This bill aims to streamline the judicial review process for local land use decisions. It amends the existing law to provide a more efficient and expedited procedure for challenging land use decisions made by local boards or authorities. The key provisions include: (1) requiring plaintiffs other than the original applicant to provide prompt notice and file an affidavit of such notice, or else the complaint will be dismissed; (2) limiting the court's review to the record of the local board's proceedings, unless evidence was improperly excluded; (3) establishing that a local board's decision is valid if it is supported by substantial evidence and is not arbitrary, capricious, or illegal; and (4) requiring non-municipal plaintiffs to post a bond to cover the property owner's carrying costs and legal fees, which would be forfeited if the plaintiff does not substantially prevail on the appeal.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H1670