Bill > HB2603

This bill aims to streamline the process for obtaining permits for land or water use activities and construction projects by establishing specific deadlines and requiring the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to create resources and processes to expedite applications, with the Department of Transportation also authorized to select projects for this facilitated application process, similar to the federal FAST-41 program which helps accelerate large-scale infrastructure projects. The bill amends existing law to shorten the timeframe for the department to notify relevant agencies about a facilitated application request to ten days, requires agencies to submit estimated timelines for permit issuance, and allows the department to adjust these deadlines based on project complexity, while also mandating an annual report to the legislature on the facilitated application process and establishing a digital portal for applications, a fast-track process for low-impact projects, and a permit by rule process for such projects reviewed by a licensed design professional, which includes engineers, architects, surveyors, or landscape architects.