Bill > HB4084

This bill establishes a Joint Permitting Council within the Governor's office, comprised of representatives from various state agencies and individuals with economic development expertise, to administer a fast-track permitting program for eligible projects exceeding certain capital investment thresholds and requiring multiple regulatory approvals. The program aims to expedite regulatory approval for projects that advance job creation or growth in targeted industries, with eligibility criteria and a review process involving the council, the Regional Solutions Program, and the Governor, who can approve applications if no more than 15 projects are currently in progress. The bill also amends existing laws related to enterprise zones to broaden the criteria for designating an enterprise zone, expand the types of businesses eligible for enterprise zone benefits, and allow for longer tax exemption periods under certain conditions, while also introducing new requirements for data center projects and temporarily delaying their authorization. Additionally, it mandates that state agencies involved in economic development publish catalogs of their permits and report on streamlining opportunities, and it modifies a tax credit program for job creation in specific industries, including advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and high technology.