Electronic Permitting Modernization Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my colleague Representative Porter's bill, the Electronic Permitting Modernization Act.

This legislation would codify parts of a Biden executive order that improves the navigability of the Federal Government's permitting process, and the bill would require the Department of the Interior to design and deliver a modernized electronic permitting system.

Permitting reform has been a popular topic this Congress in the Committee on Natural Resources, and on this topic, it is rare that we can achieve a bipartisan win, but we can all be for bringing the Federal permitting system into the 21st century.

That is why this bill would require the Department of the Interior to provide a centralized online repository on its website for public access to its electronic permitting system. It would also make easily available the contact information of the appropriate Department of the Interior employees who can assist State, Tribal, and local governments with permit applications.

These changes will make the lives of our constituents easier by simplifying the process of applying for a permit.

We know that we can make permitting more efficient. We can speed up processing times, and we can improve transparency for everyone involved, all without sacrificing community engagement or environmental protections.

From my district in the Bronx and Queens to across the American West, Americans are all too familiar with the legacy of sacrifice zones. Having online options for DOI permits is a commonsense solution to a part of an important issue that we all care about.

This bill also requires the Department of the Interior to provide periodic updates to the House Committee on Natural Resources, which will allow us to continue to monitor and upgrade our permitting processes.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support Representative Porter's Electronic Permitting Modernization Act, and I urge the House to approve it.

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Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Porter), the sponsor of the bill.

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Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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