Substitute Bill No. 5170 Summary

• All inland wetlands agency members and staff must complete comprehensive training developed by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection commissioner, effective January 1, 2025.

• Current members and staff must complete training by January 1, 2026, and then every four years thereafter (or once per term if the term exceeds four years).

• New members and staff must complete training within one year of their election, appointment, or hiring, and then every four years thereafter.

• The commissioner shall make the training program available on the Department's website and develop it in consultation with interested persons affected by inland wetlands regulation.

• Each inland wetlands agency must submit annual compliance statements to its municipal legislative body or board of selectmen by March 1, 2026, and annually thereafter; failure to complete training does not invalidate agency actions.