AR SB322

Applicants for construction permits may hire private professional providers (licensed engineers, architects, or certified inspectors not affiliated with the project) to conduct plan reviews and site inspections instead of waiting for local government personnel

Local governments must notify applicants within 5 business days whether permit applications are complete, and must act on permits within 60 days or the permit is automatically approved and all regulatory fees must be refunded

Private professional providers must submit plan review reports within 5 days of completion, and local governments have 10 business days to issue permits or provide written notice of specific code deficiencies with citations

Exemptions apply to hospitals, nursing homes, jails, airports, high-rise buildings, and structures affecting homeland security, though interior tenant build-outs in high-rises are not exempt

Private professional providers must maintain professional liability insurance of at least $1 million per claim for projects under $5 million or $2 million per claim for projects of $5 million or more