S.1735 - Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1735, the Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act, aims to enhance transparency in the federal permitting process. It mandates that covered agencies create webpages displaying the status of permit applications. This includes information on completed stages, durations, current status, contact information, required stages, and estimated timelines.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would likely lead to increased public awareness of the permit application process. It will also potentially streamline agency operations by encouraging accountability. This could reduce delays and improve communication between agencies and applicants.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in the permit application process.
- Improved communication between agencies and applicants.
- Potential for reduced delays in permit approvals.
- Greater accountability for agencies involved in permitting.
- Empowered citizens and businesses with better access to information.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on agencies.
- Possible costs associated with developing and maintaining the required webpages.
- Risk of information overload if data is not presented clearly.
- No guarantee of faster permit approvals, only increased transparency.
- Potential for misuse of contact information by malicious actors.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the principles of open government and accountability. While the Constitution does not explicitly address permitting processes, the emphasis on transparency can be seen as consistent with the spirit of informing citizens about government actions. Article 1, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce, implicitly allows for the establishment of permitting processes, and this bill seeks to improve the efficiency and transparency of those processes.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).