The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on Nov. 20 unanimously passed legislation led by U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD) that would reform the nation’s permitting process by moving it from being paper-based to including digital formats.
“It takes too long to build in America,” Rep. Johnson said. “I’m grateful for the work of the Natural Resources Committee to advance my bill that will help America build again. I look forward to moving this bill forward in Congress to modernize our permitting system and unlock development and innovation in our communities.”
The committee advanced the bipartisan ePermit Act, H.R. 4503, which Rep. Johnson sponsored in July alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), and has referred it to the full chamber for consideration.
If enacted, H.R. 4503 would improve environmental reviews and authorizations through the use of interactive, digital, and cloud-based platforms, according to the text of the bill.
“Our permitting system is still burdened by an outdated, paper-based process that slows down the projects Americans are counting on — from transportation and broadband to clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure,” said Rep. Peters. “The ePermit Act moves us toward a modern, efficient, fully digital permitting system that will cut red tape, and today’s passage brings us one step closer to delivering results faster.”
The bill has garnered support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Council of Engineering Companies, ClearPath Action, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Association of Home Builders, the American Petroleum Institute, the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and the American Conservation Coalition Action.