S.B. 1002 - Summary

• Requires the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) to contract with qualified third-party consultants to review state projects and projects affecting historic properties when the project involves affordable housing development, if SHPD cannot provide review within 60 days.

• Third-party consultants must meet educational and experience standards set by rules, provide recommendations within 30 days, and cannot have prior involvement with the project; SHPD may terminate consultants for non-compliance with preservation laws or inaccurate reviews.

• Project proponents bear the full cost of third-party consultants, though they may seek support from counties, housing authorities, non-profits, or other entities to meet fee requirements.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to SHPD for recruiting and retaining qualified third-party consultants.

• Provisions take effect July 1, 2027, and sunset July 1, 2032; SHPD must publish proposed rules within one year and present final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources within two years of the bill's effective date.