Pennsylvania HB 1689: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credits, providing for streamlining permits for economic expansion and development program; and making a repeal.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2074
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1689
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STENDER, ARMANINI, BASHLINE, FRITZ, GILLEN,
KEPHART, MENTZER, E. NELSON, OLSOMMER, RADER, SCHEUREN, SMITH
AND ZIMMERMAN, JULY 1, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE
PROTECTION, JULY 1, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), entitled "An
act relating to tax reform and State taxation by codifying
and enumerating certain subjects of taxation and imposing
taxes thereon; providing procedures for the payment,
collection, administration and enforcement thereof; providing
for tax credits in certain cases; conferring powers and
imposing duties upon the Department of Revenue, certain
employers, fiduciaries, individuals, persons, corporations
and other entities; prescribing crimes, offenses and
penalties," in Pennsylvania Economic Development for a
Growing Economy (PA EDGE) Tax Credits, providing for
streamlining permits for economic expansion and development
program; and making a repeal.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Article XVII-L of the act of March 4, 1971
(P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, is amended
by adding subarticles to read:
SUBARTICLE B.1
(Reserved)
SUBARTICLE B.2
STREAMLINING PERMITS FOR
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22

ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Section 1711.2-L. Scope of subarticle.
This subarticle relates to the expedited review of permit
applications submitted to the department.
Section 1712.2-L. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." An entity listed under section 1713.2-L that
submits an application to the permitting entity under section
1713.2-L.
"Department." The Department of Environmental Protection of
the Commonwealth.
"Eligible permit." All permits and approvals issued by a
permitting entity.
"Permit decision." The issuance or denial of a permit.
"Permit decision timeline." One of the following:
(1) the total number of business days allotted for
review of an eligible permit in Final Technical Guidance
document 021-2100-001, notice of which was published in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin on November 3, 2012, as directed by
executive order 2012-l, known as the Permit Decision
Guarantee;
(2) the total number of business days allocated for
review of an eligible permit as determined by the department,
if not included in the notice under paragraph (1); or
(3) the total number of business days agreed to between
the applicant and permitting entity.
"Permitting entity." Either of the following:
(1) The department.
20250HB1689PN2074 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

(2) A county conservation district with a valid
delegation agreement with the department to conduct reviews
of permits to conduct earth disturbance activities issued
under 25 Pa. Code Ch. 102 (relating to erosion and sediment
control).
"Priority review." Heightened review in which a decision to
issue or deny an eligible permit application shall be rendered
within 10 business days of the expiration of the permit decision
timeline by the Regional Director or Bureau Director overseeing
that permitting program or the applicable county conservation
district.
"Program." The Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion
and Development Program established under section 1713.2-L.
"Qualified professional." An individual who satisfies the
requirements under section 1713.2-L.
"Tolling period." The time period commencing on the date
that the permitting entity sends a notice that the application
is incomplete or technically deficient under section 1713.2-L
and ending on the date when the permitting entity receives the
applicant's resubmitted application.
Section 1713.2-L. The Streamlining Permits for Economic
Expansion and Development Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Streamlining Permits For Economic
Expansion And Development Program is established within the
department to provide an expedited review process for eligible
permits.
(b) Process.--Within 60 days of the effective date of this
subsection, the department, in consultation with the Department
of General Services, shall establish a process to, and within 90
days shall, issue requests for proposals to engage qualified
20250HB1689PN2074 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

professionals to provide expedited reviews of eligible permits.
(c) Qualified professional.--An individual who:
(1) is a professional engineer, land surveyor,
geologist, landscape architect or other licensed professional
who may be necessary to review applications under the review
program;
(2) has five years of relevant permitting experience in
this Commonwealth;
(3) holds all required professional licenses as requi