§ 4020. State agency planning and coordination

(a) State agencies that have programs or take actions affecting land use, as determined by Executive Order of the Governor, shall engage in a continuing planning process to assure that those programs and actions are consistent with the goals established in 24 V.S.A. § 4302 and compatible with regional and approved municipal plans, as those terms are defined in that section. This planning process shall be coordinated, in a manner established by Executive Order of the Governor, with the planning process of other agencies and of regional and municipal entities of the regions in which the programs and actions are to have effect.

(b) In the process of preparing plans or amendments to plans, a State agency shall hold at least two public hearings which are noticed as provided in 3 V.S.A. § 839 for administrative rules, but plans shall not be adopted as administrative rules under 3 Vt. Stat. Ann. chapter 25. Specific notice also shall be provided to the following, at least 30 days prior to the public hearing:

(1) the executive director of each regional planning commission;

(2) the Department of Housing and Community Affairs within the Agency of Commerce and Community Development;

(3) the Council of Regional Commissions; and

(4) business, conservation, low-income advocacy, and other community or interest groups or organizations that have requested notice prior to the date the hearing is warned.

(c) Any of the foregoing bodies or their representatives may submit comments on the proposed plan or amendment, and may appear and be heard in any proceeding with respect to the adoption of the proposed plan or amendment. State agencies shall use an informal working format at locations convenient and accessible to the public in order to provide opportunities for all persons and organizations with an interest in their plans and actions to participate. (Added 1987, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 28, eff. July 1, 1989; amended 1995, No. 190 (Adj. Sess.), § 1(a).)