T&I approves legislation to cut red tape & increase Clean Water Act permitting efficiency
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act*, led by Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) and Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO).
The legislation cuts red tape, streamlines reviews, and provides greater regulatory certainty under Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting processes.
Read the full press release from T&I here.
“This bill will unleash America’s power to build by cutting red tape, streamlining permitting processes, and providing regulatory certainty, all while continuing to protect clean water. The legislation does not overhaul or roll back the Clean Water Act; it instead makes targeted reforms to the law informed by on-the-ground feedback. I want to thank Chairman Collins and my other Committee members for their excellent work and contributions to this legislation,” said T&I Chairman Sam Graves.
“The PERMIT Act delivers much-needed reform to the Clean Water Act that will overhaul permitting processes and reduce burdens on permit seekers. As we enter a new era with a renewed focus on domestic energy production and growth, this legislation delivers the tools that our country needs to build faster, smarter, and safer,” said Subcommittee Chairman Collins.
“When I was appointed as Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I put myself on a mission to make our government more efficient and productive for the American people. With Chairman Graves’ leadership, and all members who introduced proposals, I am proud to say that we are doing just that with the PERMIT Act.”
Other Members of the T&I Committee, in addition to Subcommittee Chairman Collins, who previously introduced proposals incorporated into the PERMIT Act as approved today are Reps. Rick Crawford (R-AR), David Rouzer (R-NC), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Dave Taylor (R-OH), and Jimmy Patronis (R-FL). For summaries of many of the bills and provisions that are included in the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 3898, click here.
The legislation has the support of Republican Leaders in the House, and its various provisions have also garnered the support of numerous industry leaders and stakeholders.
Industry Leaders Express Support for PERMIT Act’s Permitting Reforms
Numerous industry leaders and stakeholders have applauded the commonsense permitting reforms included in the legislation and provided the following statements of support for H.R. 3898 and its component provisions, including NAPA, the American Cement Association (ACA), National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA).
“This legislative package offers essential, common-sense reforms that reduce the construction materials industry’s costly and unpredictable permitting delays. These bills protect operators from regulatory overreach and procedural abuse by establishing clear jurisdictional boundaries and predictable timelines, often resulting in unnecessary project slowdowns or cancellations. This certainty is critical to meeting growing national demands for the industries supplying the foundational materials for America’s roads, bridges, energy systems, and other infrastructure. Moreover, these reforms directly support the United States’ broader infrastructure and economic goals. They align with Congress’s bipartisan commitment to rebuild and modernize the nation’s physical assets while strengthening domestic supply chains and creating high-quality jobs.”
– NAPA, APA, NRMCA, & NSSGA in a letter to the committee
Read the full press release from the T&I Committee.
*The Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act, also includes the following previously introduced legislation: The Clarifying Federal General Permits Act (H.R. 3899) and the Water Quality Technology Availability Act (H.R. 3900) – introduced by Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) The Farmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship (FUELS) Act (H.R. 3909) – introduced by Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) The Improving Water Quality Certifications and American Energy Infrastructure Act (H.R. 3928), the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act (H.R. 3824), and the Nationwide Permitting Improvement Act (H.R. 3927) – introduced by Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 (H.R. 3300) – introduced by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) The Reducing Permitting Uncertainty Act (H.R. 3935) – introduced by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) The Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act (H.R. 3888) – introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) The Judicial Review Timeline Clarity Act (H.R. 3905) – introduced by Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) The Jurisdictional Determination Backlog Reduction Act (H.R. 3901) – introduced by Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-CO) The Water Quality Standards Attainability Act (H.R. 3934)– introduced by Rep. Jefferson Shreve (R-IN) The Confidence in Clean Water Permits Act (H.R. 3897) – introduced by Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) The Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Act Permitting Act (H.R. 3902) – introduced by Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL)
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