An Act to support the equitable utilization of third party consultants in land use determinations

This bill requires Massachusetts municipalities to maintain a certified list of at least three qualified outside consultants for each field where local boards need expert review. It allows applicants to choose a consultant from this list and receive proposals from each before making a selection, while also ensuring that applicants are not charged for the consultant's travel expenses. Additionally, the law mandates that different local boards working on the same project must coordinate their use of consultants to prevent unnecessary duplication of reviews. These changes aim to make the land use process more transparent and equitable for property owners seeking expert assistance.