Last night, the House of Representatives unanimously passed Rep. Katie Porter’s (D-CA) Electronic Permitting Modernization Act. The bill, co-led by Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), would streamline the Department of Interior’s permitting process by establishing a central, online location linking to each type of permit. 

“Inefficient, outdated processes waste taxpayer dollars and decrease people’s confidence in our government,” said Rep. Porter. “My bill would make it easier for Americans to get permission to use our public lands for allowed activities, and bring transparency and accountability to the permitting process. It passed the House with unanimous support for one reason: it is good policy that would make government work better for Americans. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill without delay.”

The bipartisan Electronic Permitting Modernization Act would push the Department of Interior into the 21st century by encouraging the development of electronic permits that are easily accessible. It would require the Department of Interior to centralize links to these permits onto one webpage and provide resources to help individuals get assistance with permitting questions. The bill establishes reporting mechanisms to help Congress hold the Department accountable for its e-permitting implementation. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration. 

Rep. Porter is committed to making government work better for the American people. She’s introduced legislation to improve and modernize the services that 14 federal agencies offer, like passport renewals, student loan payments, and tax filing. Rep. Porter has used her oversight role—and whiteboard—to hold countless Administration officials accountable for how they serve the public, including the heads of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Centers for Disease Control. 

###