118 HR 5509 RH: Electronic Permitting Modernization Act U.S. House of Representatives 2024-09-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IBUnion Calendar No. 577118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 5509[Report No. 118–682]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 14, 2023Ms. Porter (for herself and Mr. LaMalfa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural ResourcesSeptember 17, 2024Additional sponsors: Mr. Donalds, Mrs. Peltola, Mr. Molinaro, and Mr. CastenSeptember 17, 2024Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on September 14, 2023A BILLTo modernize permitting systems at the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Electronic Permitting Modernization Act.

2.

Department of the Interior permit accessibility

In order to improve the overall economy, efficiency, and management of operations and activities of the Department of the Interior (referred to in this section as the Department), reduce paperwork, and provide high-quality services and access to the public, the Secretary of the Interior shall, to the extent practicable—(1)design and deliver modernized electronic permitting systems to accept, process, and record applications (including plan submissions, payment activity, and other related correspondence) for permits, forms, and other paperwork required for activities regulated by the Department;(2) provide a centralized electronic permitting system online repository, available to the public on the Department’s website, that includes—(A)hyperlinks to facilitate navigation to all Department electronic permitting systems; and(B)with respect to permits, the contact information for the appropriate Department employees providing assistance to State, Tribal, and local governments; and(3)provide to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate periodic updates on the implementation of paragraphs (1) and (2).

3.

Conforming amendment to ensure consistency with the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023

In developing the permitting systems required under section 2 of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the Department’s electronic permitting systems are consistent with the priorities identified in section 110 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4336d) with respect to any permit that requires review under that Act.

September 17, 2024Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed