Bill > SB325

This bill, known as the Maryland Housing Certainty Act, aims to streamline the housing development process by establishing clearer rules for project approvals and developer rights. Key provisions include requiring that the approval of a housing development project application by a local regulatory authority (which refers to a local government body responsible for permits) or the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (often abbreviated as the Commission) be governed solely by the laws and regulations in effect at the time a "complete application" is submitted, meaning an application with all necessary information for review, even if minor errors exist. Furthermore, once a housing development project receives all necessary approvals, the developer is granted "vested rights," meaning they have a protected right to proceed with the authorized use and development for a period of at least five years, or a longer period determined by the local authority or the Commission. The bill also clarifies when development impact fees or excise taxes, which are fees imposed by local governments to fund public works needed for new development, can be collected, generally delaying their collection until after construction is complete and occupancy permits are issued, with some exceptions for pre-existing county debt or final inspections.