ABC celebrates passage of permitting reform bills

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing two comprehensive, ABC-supported permitting reform bills: H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act, and H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act.

“The PERMIT Act and the SPEED Act rank among the most comprehensive permitting reform measures advanced by the House in the last decade,” says Kristen Swearingen, ABC vice president of government affairs. “By reforming provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act, these bills provide project sponsors and contractors with greater certainty to plan, invest and deliver even the most complex construction projects. Certainty that is essential to meeting the nation’s infrastructure needs.”

ABC sent a Key Vote letter to all representatives urging support for the SPEED Act. ABC sent a similar Key Vote letter on Dec. 9, encouraging representatives to vote in favor of the PERMIT Act. The bills will now move to the Senate for approval.

“ABC urges the U.S. Senate to advance both bills and send them to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature, eliminating redundant delays and excessive permitting uncertainty that often lead to cost overruns and project setbacks,” Swearingen says.