Bill > S4805

This bill, the Full Responsibility and Expedited Enforcement (FREE) Act, aims to replace traditional permitting systems with a "permit by rule" system. Permit by rule is a streamlined process where applicants submit a certification of compliance with specified requirements, and the permit is deemed granted if not denied within 30 days. The bill requires each federal agency to evaluate its permitting systems and report to Congress on whether a permit by rule could replace them. Agencies must then establish a permit by rule option for any feasible permitting system, allowing applicants to choose between the existing system and the new permit by rule. The bill also restricts agencies from entering settlement agreements that prevent enforcement of the new permit by rule requirements. Overall, the bill seeks to increase efficiency and reduce delays in the federal permitting process.