PA 16-201—sSB 306

Commerce Committee

AN ACT CONCERNING THE OFFICE OF THE PERMIT OMBUDSMAN AND ASSISTANCE FOR BIOSCIENCE COMPANIES

SUMMARY: This act makes projects to develop bioscience businesses eligible for assistance from the Department of Economic and Community Development's (DECD) Office of the Permit Ombudsman. By law, the office coordinates expedited permit reviews of eligible economic development projects with the transportation, public health, and energy and environmental protection departments.

The act also requires the permit ombudsman to assist and provide guidance to bioscience businesses seeking to expedite the review and approval of permits required by local zoning authorities.

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2016

BACKGROUND

Project Eligibility Criteria for Expedited Permit Reviews

By law, DECD's Permit Ombudsman Office provides for the expedited review of projects meeting one of two sets of economic development criteria. It must do so for projects:

1. creating at least 50 permanent, full-time equivalent non-construction jobs in any of the state's 17 enterprise zones or at least 100 such jobs elsewhere in Connecticut;

2. located in a brownfield;

3. compatible with the state's responsible growth initiatives;

4. considered transit-oriented development, or

5. developing green technology businesses.

The office also must review other types of projects the commissioner approves based on specified economic impact factors, such as the project's total capital investment and the extent to which it will diversify and strengthen the local and state economy.

OLR Tracking: HP; ND; vr: tjo