Bill > HB2140

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program, beginning July 1, 2026, allowing county mayors to designate certain positions involved in permit review and processing as "essential permitting positions," which are crucial for the timely and efficient handling of permits. To attract and retain qualified individuals for these roles, these positions will receive a minimum salary differential of fifteen percent, with the possibility of higher differentials or salaries above the standard range to attract candidates. Participating counties must allocate funds for these differentials, hiring new employees, and financial awards for achieving specific performance goals, such as reducing permit review times or increasing the number of permits processed. Each participating county will appoint a permitting program coordinator to oversee workflow, resolve issues, and report progress quarterly to the county council and annually to the legislature, with the pilot program concluding on June 30, 2030.