Landmark Permit Reform Expanded to Further Cut Red Tape and Strengthen Transparency
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania is taking another major step toward cutting government red tape thanks to an initiative championed by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York) and Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland, Perry, and Dauphin) building upon last year’s landmark permitting reform.
Language championed by Phillips-Hill and Rothman was recently incorporated into an omnibus reform measure to streamline the state’s permitting process, provide greater certainty for applicants, and strengthen transparency across all state agencies.
“For too long, outdated and inefficient permitting systems have held back Pennsylvania’s potential,” Phillips-Hill said. “By building on our landmark reforms, we are creating a clear, consistent, and accountable process that supports job growth and innovation, not government gridlock. Whether you’re a farmer, a manufacturer, or a small business owner, you deserve a fair and timely process and that’s exactly what this reform delivers.”
The reform continues Pennsylvania’s transformation toward greater efficiency and accountability by establishing clear timelines for permit decisions, expanding eligibility under the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) Program, and enhancing transparency across all agencies. For the first time, permits will be deemed approved if the state fails to act within a defined timeframe, giving applicants confidence in a fair and predictable process. Additional permit categories across agriculture, energy, environmental, and manufacturing sectors will now qualify for streamlined processing, allowing more industries to benefit from consistent and timely decisions.
In addition, all state agencies will be required to provide real-time online tracking of permit applications and publish annual reports detailing processing times and performance metrics. This enhanced transparency ensures that applicants, businesses, and citizens can monitor progress and hold state agencies accountable.
“Permit paralysis is holding back the creation of new jobs,” Rothman said. “More jobs and greater opportunities will be created for all Pennsylvanians when permits are received in a timely and predictable manner.”
This initiative incorporates key components of Senate Bill 6, legislation Phillips-Hill and Rothman advanced earlier this year with bipartisan support to streamline the permitting process and strengthen government accountability. These efforts mark the next step in modernizing Pennsylvania’s regulatory framework and ensuring that the commonwealth remains competitive for investment and job creation.
Phillips-Hill and Rothman said these are continued efforts reflecting their long-standing commitment to cutting bureaucratic red tape, increasing government accountability, and positioning Pennsylvania as a national leader in regulatory reform and economic competitiveness.