H.B. 437
Signed into LawEnvironmental Permitting Amendments
Environmental Permitting Amendments
Introduction
Jan 30
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 12
House Floor Vote
Feb 20
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 27
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 4
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 4
Governor Signed
Mar 25
What This Bill Does
This bill creates a program for the expedited review of environmental permit applications.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- defines terms;
- authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality (department) and Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (division) to make rules to:
- identify a permit administered by the department or division as a permit eligible for expedited review;
- establish requirements for the expedited review process;
- certify a qualified reviewer;
- authorize a qualified reviewer to complete an expedited review of an eligible permit; and
- establish the maximum number of a days for a qualified reviewer to complete an expedited review;
- requires the department and division to conduct a technical review and make a final administrative decision for a permit application upon completion of an expedited review; and
- makes technical and conforming changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Under this bill, businesses and others seeking certain environmental permits from the Department of Environmental Quality or the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining can opt into a faster review process by hiring and paying for a state-certified private professional — such as an engineer or geologist — to conduct an initial review of their application within a set time limit. That private reviewer submits a recommendation to the state agency, which must then conduct its own final technical review and issue an official decision. The state agencies are directed to create rules spelling out which permits qualify, how reviewers get certified, and how long each step can take.
H.B. 437
Signed into LawEnvironmental Permitting Amendments
Introduction
Jan 30
House Rules
House Committee
Feb 12
House Floor Vote
Feb 20
Senate Rules
Mar 4
Senate Committee
Feb 27
Senate 2nd Reading
Mar 4
Senate 3rd Reading
Mar 4
Governor Signed
Mar 25
IntroductionJan 30
House Rules
House CommitteeFeb 12
House Floor VoteFeb 20
Senate RulesMar 4
Senate CommitteeFeb 27
Senate 2nd ReadingMar 4
Senate 3rd ReadingMar 4
Governor SignedMar 25
What This Bill Does
This bill creates a program for the expedited review of environmental permit applications.
Key Provisions
This bill:
- defines terms;
- authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality (department) and Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (division) to make rules to:
- identify a permit administered by the department or division as a permit eligible for expedited review;
- establish requirements for the expedited review process;
- certify a qualified reviewer;
- authorize a qualified reviewer to complete an expedited review of an eligible permit; and
- establish the maximum number of a days for a qualified reviewer to complete an expedited review;
- requires the department and division to conduct a technical review and make a final administrative decision for a permit application upon completion of an expedited review; and
- makes technical and conforming changes.
Plain-Language Summary
AI-generated summary. We recommend consulting the bill text for important decisions.
Under this bill, businesses and others seeking certain environmental permits from the Department of Environmental Quality or the Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining can opt into a faster review process by hiring and paying for a state-certified private professional — such as an engineer or geologist — to conduct an initial review of their application within a set time limit. That private reviewer submits a recommendation to the state agency, which must then conduct its own final technical review and issue an official decision. The state agencies are directed to create rules spelling out which permits qualify, how reviewers get certified, and how long each step can take.
Votes
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Motion: Favorable Recommendation
Documents
Floor Debates
Committee Hearings
Other Versions
Original
Subjects
Action History39
Governor Signed
Lieutenant Governor's office for filing
House/ to Governor
Executive Branch - Governor
House/ received enrolled bill from Printing
Clerk of the House
House/ enrolled bill to Printing
Clerk of the House
Enrolled Bill Returned to House or Senate
Clerk of the House
Last updated Mar 26, 2026, 9:41 PM