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PRINTER'S NO. 621
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
587
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY ZIMMERMAN, BLOOM, BARRAR, M. K. KELLER, MURT, FEE,
CUTLER, B. MILLER, DOWLING, MALONEY, WARD, DUSH, GREINER,
CAUSER, TOEPEL, HICKERNELL, IRVIN, MILLARD, GABLER, RADER,
SANKEY, MILNE, GILLEN, DIAMOND, McGINNIS, EVERETT AND
SCHEMEL, FEBRUARY 23, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
FEBRUARY 23, 2017
AN ACT
Imposing a duty on the Department of Environmental Protection to
maintain a system for applicants to track the status of
certain permit applications; and providing for permit
notifications.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
Permit Tracking and Notification Law.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." An individual, partnership, association,
company, corporation, municipality, municipal authority,
political subdivision or an agency of Federal or State
government that submits an application for a permit to conduct
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an activity authorized by the department.
"Application manager." The specific department staff member
who is responsible for the processing of an application and is
the primary contact for the project review.
"Complete and technically adequate application." An
application package that includes all necessary documents and
information and is provided in sufficient detail to perform a
technical review.
"Completeness review." A process by which department staff
review applications to determine if the applications are
complete and technically adequate and comply with applicable
regulatory and statutory requirements.
"Department." The Department of Environmental Protection of
the Commonwealth.
"Permit." Authorization issued by the department or under a
delegated agreement by the department giving approval to perform
a regulated activity. The term includes a permit, plan approval
and registration under a general permit. The definition does not
include a certification or license.
"Processing time." The total number of business days
allowed, whether by statute, regulation or department policy,
beginning with the acceptance of a complete and technically
adequate application and ending with the final action by the
department. The length of time does not begin until the
application passes completeness review and the application is
determined to be complete and technically adequate.
"Project." A permit required by the department for any of
the following:
(1) Construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural
alteration, relocation or enlargement of a building or other
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structure.
(2) Site preparation, including grading, earth moving
activities, clearance, soil removal or movement, timber
harvesting relocation, excavation, landfill and moving,
depositing or storing soil, rock or earth materials.
(3) Use or change in the use of a building or other
structure or change in land use.
(4) Land development as defined in section 107 of the
act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805, No.247), known as the
Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, or land use.
(5) Demolition, moving or removing a building or other
structure.
"Technical review." A review of the technical aspects of a
permit application to determine if the permit application meets
regulatory and statutory requirements for permit issuance.
Section 3. Permit tracking.
The department shall maintain a secure system available to
applicants for tracking the status of permit applications on the
department's publicly accessible Internet website. The system
shall include:
(1) The processing time provided for each permit and a
citation of relevant statutory, regulatory or department
policy establishing the processing time.
(2) The dates associated with receipt, completeness
review, technical review, elevated review process, if
necessary, and final permit decision.
(3) An estimate of time remaining for each incomplete
phase of the approval process.
(4) Identification of the application manager and
appropriate contact information for department staff assigned
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to answer relevant applicant questions.
Section 4. Permit notifications.
The department shall provide electronic notifications to
permit holders 60 days before the permit's expiration date and
when there are changes in:
(1) Statutes or regulations that impact the permit.
(2) Permit fees that affect the renewal of a permit.
Section 5. Prior permits.
A project permit issued prior to the effective date of a
statute or regulation altering the requirements for the same
project permit shall remain valid under the provisions by which
the permit was granted until the project is completed.
Section 6. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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