EPermit Act

This bill, called the ePermit Act, would move environmental reviews and permits onto modern, digital tools. It tells the Council on Environmental Quality to set common data rules within 180 days, build prototype tools, and create a shared online portal where project sponsors can submit all paperwork, track progress, and work with agencies in real time. The public could see non‑sensitive status information like timelines, locations, project type, reviews, and mitigation steps, and get notices about meetings and comment periods. The portal would handle maps and location data, and automatically track steps and deadlines to reduce repeat work and speed up complex reviews. Agencies must meet minimum features like data sharing, automated case tracking, mapping tools, and AI‑assisted tools for handling public comments and records.

The bill sets clear timelines and guardrails. Guidance is due in 30 days; agencies must assess and plan in 90 days and begin implementing in 180 days. A pilot of shared services comes within one year, and a unified system is targeted by December 1, 2027. CEQ must provide annual progress updates; the portal must follow privacy and cybersecurity rules; CEQ can hire outside help; Congress gets direct access to performance data for oversight. Funding is authorized at $1 million per year from fiscal years 2026 through 2032. The bill does not add extra regulatory steps beyond existing environmental laws.

• Who is affected: Federal agencies that handle environmental reviews, project sponsors, the public, and Congress (for oversight).
• What changes: One online portal; shared data standards; modern tools for case management, mapping, and AI‑assisted comment handling; public access to non‑sensitive status data; no new regulatory hurdles.
• When: Guidance in 30 days; agency plans in 90 days; start in 180 days; pilot within 1 year; unified system by Dec. 1, 2027; $1M each year from FY 2026–2032.