Pennsylvania SB 6: An Act providing for the administration of permits by State agencies, for a tracking system for permit applications, for the establishment of permit programs, for third-party review of permit decision delays and for annual reports; establishing the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity and the Economic Development Strategy Group; and providing for their powers and duties.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 434 PRINTER'S NO. 1260
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 6
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, ROTHMAN, BROOKS, K. WARD, LAUGHLIN,
BROWN, MARTIN, COSTA, BAKER, J. WARD, PENNYCUICK, STEFANO,
DUSH AND MASTRIANO, MARCH 19, 2025
SENATOR PITTMAN, RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, RE-REPORTED AS
AMENDED, OCTOBER 21, 2025
AN ACT
Providing for the administration of permits by State agencies,
for a tracking system for permit applications, for the
establishment of permit programs, for third-party review of
permit decision delays and for annual reports; establishing
the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity and
the Economic Development Strategy Group; and providing for
their powers and duties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Permit
Administration and Economic Development Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." A person, corporation, municipality, municipal
authority, political subdivision, State agency or an agency of
the Federal Government, which submits an application for a
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permit to a State agency.
"Application." A submission to a State agency by an
applicant which seeks any of the following:
(1) A new permit.
(2) A permit renewal.
(3) A permit amendment.
(4) A permit modification.
(5) A permit transfer.
(6) A change of ownership of a permit.
"Completeness review." The process by which a State agency's
staff reviews an application to determine if the application
satisfies all of the applicable statutory and regulatory
requirements.
"Incomplete application." An application which does not
include all required documents and information necessary to
perform a completeness review.
"Office." The Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and
Opportunity established under section 11(a).
"Permit." For the purposes of this act, an authorization
issued by a State agency which approves the performance of a
regulated activity. The term includes authorization permits,
certificates of public convenience, plan approvals and
registrations under a general permit.
"Permit decision." The issuance or denial of a permit.
"Permit decision delay." The failure of a State agency to
issue a permit decision not later than:
(1) the time period specified by statute or regulation,
including the time period specified under 4 Pa. Code Ch. 7a
Subch. H (relating to permit decision guarantee for the
Department of Environmental Protection); or
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(2) 30 days after the submission of the permit
application if there is no time period specified by statute
or regulation, including 4 Pa. Code Ch. 7a Subch. H.
"Permit program." The program designed for the operation and
management of permits which are subject to permit decision
delays.
"Processing time." Beginning when the permit satisfies the
completeness review, the total number of business days allowed
by statute, regulation or State agency policy before a State
agency must take final action on a permit decision.
"State agency." An office, department, independent agency,
authority, board or commission of the executive branch that
issues permits.
"Strategy group." The Economic Development Strategy Group
established under section 12(a).
"Technical review." A review of the technical aspects of an
application to determine if the application satisfies all of the
applicable statutory and regulatory requirements for permit
issuance.
"Technically deficient application." An application that
does not include all necessary documents and information in
sufficient detail to perform a technical review.
"Third-party professional." An individual in this
Commonwealth who possesses all of the requisite certifications
and qualifications of an occupation relating to a permit
administered by a State agency.
Section 3. Initial review of permits by State agencies.
Not later than 60 days after the effective date of this
section, a State agency shall review the State agency's permit
decisions and permit decision delays during the immediately
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preceding calendar year and submit a report of findings to the
General Assembly.
Section 4. Compilation of permits.
(a) List of permits.--A State agency shall compile, maintain
and make available a complete list of all types of permits
issued by the State agency. The list, including any revisions to
the list, shall be transmitted to the Legislative Reference
Bureau for publication in the next available issue of the
Pennsylvania Bulletin and shall be posted on the State agency's
publicly accessible Internet