(a) A Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues is established and shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor. It shall be comprised of the following members or their respective designees:

(1) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

(2) The Secretary of the Department of Transportation.

(3) The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture.

(4) [Repealed.]

(5) The Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority.

(6) The Secretary of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

(7) Such others as the Governor may designate.

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(b) The Governor shall designate 1 member to serve as Chairperson of the Committee.

(c) The Committee shall consider matters relating to the orderly growth and development of the State, including, but not limited to:

(1) Recommendations for the most desirable general pattern of land use within the State, in light of the best available information concerning topography, climate, soil and underground conditions, water courses and bodies of water and other natural or environmental factors, as well as in light of the best available information concerning the present and prospective economic bases of the State, trends of industrial, population or other developments, the habits and standards of life of the people of the State and the relation of land use within the State to land use within adjoining areas;

(2) The major circulation pattern recommended for the State, including major routes and terminals of transportation and communication facilities, whether used for movement of people and goods within the State or for movement from and to adjoining areas;

(3) Recommendations concerning the need for and the proposed general location of major public and private works and facilities, such as utilities, flood control works, water reservoirs and pollution control facilities, military or defense installations and other governmentally financed or owned facilities;

(4) Recommendations on land use planning actions that are subject to review and comment pursuant to Chapter 92 of this title;

(5) Preparing the Strategies for State Policies and Spending document and maps, which shall serve as the primary policy guide that summarizes the State’s land use goals, policies and strategies and directs state spending into investment levels that support the most efficient use of state resources, be they physical, fiscal, or natural, except that county and municipal governments shall retain their existing autonomy with respect to the land use designations set forth in their proposed and/or adopted comprehensive plans. The Strategies for State Policies and Spending shall be updated at least every 5 years, provided that the Governor may extend the deadline at his or her discretion; and

(6) Performing such other duties and responsibilities with respect to Downtown Development Districts as set forth in Chapter 19 of Title 22.

(d) The Cabinet Committee shall submit a report on its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly by October 15 of each year, together with the recommendations for legislative and/or administrative changes it deems desirable.

(e) The Cabinet Committee’s proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 100 of this title.

(f) The Cabinet Committee shall be assisted by staff designated by each participating agency, and shall work in cooperation with all federal, State and local agencies of government and with private organizations and individuals to obtain all necessary and relevant information for its assignments.

(g) There is hereby established the Office of State Planning Coordination within the Office of the Budget. The administrator and head of the Office of State Planning Coordination shall be the State Planning Coordinator who shall be qualified by training or experience to perform the duties of the office. The Office of State Planning Coordination shall assist in statewide planning matters, and it shall function as an advisory, consultative and coordinating office.

(1) The Office of State Planning Coordination shall provide staffing assistance to the Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues.

(2) The State Planning Coordinator shall serve as the secretary to the Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues.

(3) The Office of State Planning Coordination shall collect and coordinate the comments of state agencies regarding land use planning actions pursuant to Chapter 92 of this title. In carrying out this function, the Office of State Planning Coordination shall, to the maximum extent possible, reconcile differing opinions and conclusions among agency comments with the objective of providing consistent, timely and useful information to the local government. The Office of State Planning Coordination shall be authorized to represent and speak for the State on land use matters subject to Chapter 92 of this title.

(4) [Repealed.]

(h) The Office of State Planning Coordination shall render local planning technical assistance. The Office of State Planning Coordination may serve as the lead agency to engage other state agencies, local governments, and other governmental and nongovernmental organizations for the purposes of coordinating planning activities, promoting liaison between various state agencies and local governments, building capacity through training and sharing of digital and other information, developing infrastructure plans and master plans, addressing specific growth and design issues, and such other actions as are appropriate to achieve the purposes of this chapter. The Office of State Planning Coordination shall develop and promote cooperation and coordination among state agencies and local governments to ensure effective and efficient planning and infrastructure investment. The Office of State Planning Coordination may make grants available to county and municipal governments to assist them in achieving any of the objectives outlined in this section, provided that funded activities and deliverables are in compliance and in harmony with the Strategies for State Policies and Spending. The Office of State Planning Coordination shall further have such authority and responsibility with respect to Downtown Development Districts as set forth in Chapter 19 of Title 22.

63 Del. Laws, c. 191, § ?2; 69 Del. Laws, c. 458, § ?1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § ?1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 522, §§ ?1, 2; 71 Del. Laws, c. 485, § ?1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 43, § ?2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 186, § ?12; 74 Del. Laws, c. 128, § ?8; 76 Del. Laws, c. 103, § ?1; 78 Del. Laws, c. 92, §§ ?29-31; 79 Del. Laws, c. 240, §§ ?2-4; 81 Del. Laws, c. 49, § ?3; 81 Del. Laws, c. 374, § 30;