GETTING STARTED: INITIATING THE PROCESS OF STATE PLANNING LAW REFORM. IN: MODERNIZING STATE PLANNING STATUTES: THE GROWING SMART WORKING PAPERS, VOLUME ONE

This working paper reviews recent efforts in the states to initiate planning law reform. Based on interviews and reviews of publications, the paper analyzes reforms initiated by: (1) special state-level independent study commissions; (2) special study commissions composed of state legislators; (3) American Planning Association Chapters; and (4) other approaches, including privately funded consensus-building efforts, and continuing reviews of statutes by a state legislative committee. In some cases, the paper is able to draw lessons or conclusions from the reform efforts. In others, the process is still in its formative stages. In still others, the process has failed to yield results, other than additional studies.