HARRISBURG – The Senate of Pennsylvania approved a sweeping permitting reform measure championed by Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Greg Rothman (R- Cumberland, Perry and Dauphin) to bring greater accountability, transparency, and efficiency to how state agencies handle permit applications.
Senate Bill 6 sets clear timelines for state agencies to review permit applications, creates a permit tracking system, and ensures applicants receive timely, consistent answers not endless delays. The measure also requires regular performance reporting so Pennsylvanians can hold their government accountable.
“When permitting is unpredictable, so is investment,” said Phillips-Hill. “By passing this bill in the Senate, we’re sending a strong message that delays and inaction are no longer acceptable. We are saying Pennsylvania is open for business.”
The bill builds on the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program, championed by Phillips-Hill and Rothman and enacted in last year’s budget, which required the Department of Environmental Protection to implement a permit tracking system. This legislation expands those transparency and accountability measures to all state agencies, ensuring these reforms last well beyond any one administration.
“Transparency and accountability in the permitting process will provide needed certainty, reduce delays, and encourage investment in Pennsylvania,” Rothman said. “These reforms will both transform and grow the Pennsylvania economy.”
The legislation also codifies key elements of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order, ensuring these reforms are locked into law and will outlast any single administration.
The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
VIDEO (Phillips-Hill)
VIDEO (Rothman)
Contacts:
Morgan Wagner (Rothman)
717.773.3266