Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends and reforms the state permitting process by establishing a new Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity and the Economic Development strategy group.

Highlights:

• Requires a state agency to review permit decisions and deliver a report to the Pennsylvania general assembly (Sec. 3). 

• Requires the state to record a complete list of permits (Sec. 4). 

• Establishes a secure tracking system for applicants to use to view and track the status of permit applications on the state website (Sec. 5). 

• Requires the state agency to provide applicants with a notice five days after submission of permit application on instructions for the operation of the tracking system (Sec.5). 

• Requires the state agency to inform the application if the application is incomplete in any way shape or form (Sec. 5). 

• Specifies that if the state agency is unable to issue a determination on whether or not to allow a permit it must list what information is missing in order to resubmit the application (Sec. 5).

• Requires the state agency to inform the applicants on specific details concerning the permit like when the permit renews, how long the permit lasts for, and other information (Sec. 7). 

• Specifies that permits issued prior to the implementation of this act are valid under the provisions by which the original permit was issued (Sec. 8). 

• Requires the state to create a program to review permit delays and resolve issues caused by permit delays (Sec. 9). 

• Authorizes for a permit approval if a permit has not been properly issued to a third-party professional to review (Sec. 9). 

• Requires the state agency to make a report concerning issue a report each year concerning the nature and details of permit applications as well as the number (Sec. 9). 

Full Bill Text