Studies and evaluations submitted in connection with land use applications

Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act, municipal charter or home rule ordinance, any person who submits an environmental, health, traffic or economic impact study or evaluation in connection with a land use application pending approval by the legislative body, zoning commission, planning commission, planning and zoning commission, inland wetlands agency or zoning board of appeals of a municipality shall include in such submission a statement disclosing (1) the author or authors of such study or evaluation, (2) all costs associated with the completion of such study or evaluation and the name of the person or entity that paid such costs, and (3) any conflict of interest that may impact the ability of such author or authors to provide unbiased data or conclusions in such study or evaluation. In rendering a decision on any such application, such legislative body, commission, agency or board shall consider whether the (A) information disclosed in any such statement, or (B) failure to include such statement impacts the reliability of such study or evaluation.