House Bill 605 Summary

• Amends Idaho Code sections 67-6519, 67-6520, 67-6521, and 67-6535 to revise local land use planning and zoning permit procedures.

• Adds attorneys to the list of professionals who may serve as hearing examiners for zoning and land use applications.

• Requires final decisions on permit applications to include notice of applicants' rights to request regulatory taking analysis and provides applicants 28 days after exhausting local remedies to seek judicial review.

• Establishes priority consideration for public school facility permit applications and requires review of effects on vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian volumes on adjacent roads and highways.

• Revises the definition of "affected person" to clarify who has standing to petition for hearings on land use matters and strengthens written decision requirements to include specific findings and rationale.

• Declares an emergency and makes the act effective upon passage and approval.