WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Rick Scott led a group of colleagues to introduce the Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act to require all U.S. agencies issuing permits to create a page on their website for permit applicants to track the status of their permit application, along with the steps completed and those that are remaining, the timeframe expected, and contact information readily available for users.

Senators Katie Britt, Joni Ernst, Jim Justice, Tim Sheehy, Dan Sullivan, and Thom Tillis are cosponsors.

Senator Rick Scott said, “The federal permitting process can be an overly bureaucratic, frustrating, and long process that leaves applicants waiting with no information, no timeline, and no updates on the status of approval. It’s time to fix that. My Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act simply requires agencies to create a page on their website to allow applicants to track the status of their approval and a full description of what they can expect from the application process. Americans deserve a federal government that is fully transparent and works efficiently to support their success, and this bill will be a great step to better serve Americans.”

Senator Joni Ernst said, “The federal permitting system is a complete disaster for Iowans, with some projects taking decades just to get approval because of unclear delays. As I have often said, sunlight is the best disinfectant, and that is especially true in Washington. The regulatory approval process should be fully transparent and not shrouded in secrecy.”

Senator Thom Tillis said, “ Streamlining our permitting process is long overdue, and this bill takes a smart, bipartisan step toward cutting needless delays that stall critical infrastructure projects. This commonsense legislation adds transparency, reduces bureaucracy, and strengthens America’s economic future.”

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