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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 21, 2018 01:00 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Transparency in Permitting |
| We have all heard concerns from those who have had to deal with applying for one of the various types of permits in different state agencies. Businesses and individuals have commented on the unreasonable delay and uncertainty often involved in the process which often leads to delayed start time on important projects, frustration, and monetary loss. Often times, individuals or businesses have no idea where their permit is in the process or why it has been withheld. The permitting process should be a collaborative effort between business owners and government and not something that is overly burdensome or punitive. Therefore, in the near future, I will be introducing legislation to reform the permitting process. My legislation will require all agencies, which issue permits, to increase transparency throughout the process. This legislation will require agencies to post information about the permits that they grant on their website, to create an accessible tracking system for applicants to check the status of their applications and to clearly state the legal authority that the agency relies on when rejecting a permit application. The tracking system shall include processing time, dates of each permit, completeness review, technical review, elevated review, and an estimated time remaining for each incomplete phase of the permit approval process, and a contact person assigned to answer questions about the application process. This will allow for greater transparency, which gives those individuals who are applying for permits, more peace of mind and assurance that they have not been forgotten in the process. We must reform this process to help businesses and business owners throughout the Commonwealth. Please join me in cosponsoring this important piece of legislation, which promotes an accountable government that provides more clarity to businesses applying for permits. |
Introduced as SB252