The House of Representatives is set to consider H.R. 3898, known as the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act. The bill, led by Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) and Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), aims to streamline permitting under the Clean Water Act (CWA). Supporters say it will reduce regulatory delays, cut litigation costs, and make the process more efficient and transparent.
The PERMIT Act combines several reform proposals previously introduced by members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. These include contributions from Reps. Rick Crawford (R-AR), David Rouzer (R-NC), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Burgess Owens (R-UT), Eric Burlison (R-MO), Jeff Hurd (R-CO), Jefferson Shreve (R-IN), Dave Taylor (R-OH), and Jimmy Patronis (R-FL).
Since its approval by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on June 25, 2025, support for the PERMIT Act has grown among industry groups and stakeholders. Over 60 organizations have issued statements or letters backing the reforms.
The Waters Advocacy Coalition, representing sectors such as construction, transportation, real estate, mining, manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, energy, wildlife conservation, and public health stated: “WAC represents a cross-section of the nation’s construction, transportation, real estate, mining, manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, energy, wildlife conservation, and public health and safety sectors―all of which are vital to a thriving national economy and provide much-needed jobs in local communities…. This legislation is essential to providing clarity and certainty within the Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting process for landowners and other regulated entities across the country.”
The Aluminum Association commented: “American aluminum can’t grow without a permitting system that is timely, predictable, and transparent. Our industry is inherently energy-intensive and depends on affordable, reliable power to build and modernize facilities, expand recycling, and connect new generation and transmission to the grid. The Aluminum Association supports the PERMIT Act, which will streamline the permit process and allow the domestic aluminum industry to build on the historic investment of the last decade. Put simply, smarter permitting means more U.S. metal, more resilient supply chains, and more good-paying American jobs.”
Several associations from construction materials industries—including cement producers—said: “This legislative package offers essential, common-sense reforms that reduce the construction materials industry’s costly and unpredictable permitting delays. These bills protect operators from regulatory overreach and procedural abuse by establishing clear jurisdictional boundaries and predictable timelines... This certainty is critical to meeting growing national demands for the industries supplying the foundational materials for America’s roads, bridges, energy systems, and other infrastructure.”
Other organizations echoed similar sentiments about regulatory burdens affecting their operations:
- The American Exploration & Mining Association said: “This package of reforms will greatly help to place the United States on a path to a more secure mineral supply chain...”
- Agricultural groups noted: “Clean water is essential... However...the current permitting framework under the CWA often presents unnecessary delays...”
- The American Mosquito Control Association stated: “This legislation will eliminate costly...permit requirements that impact our members' ability to adequately control mosquitoes.”
- The American Pipeline Contractors Association remarked: “Provisions of [the] PERMIT Act...will modernize the cumbersome federal permitting system...”
- The American Public Gas Association added: “For public gas systems..., permitting reform is central to maintaining their ability to deliver energy affordably...”
Support also came from organizations involved in infrastructure development:
- The American Road & Transportation Builders Association said: “These reforms collectively offer targeted...upgrades to a system that...delays essential transportation projects for little to no environmental value.... If enacted,...these bills would not diminish environmental safeguards.”
- Associated Builders and Contractors stated: “The PERMIT Act...contains much-needed,...reforms...that promote transparency...and ensures that approved projects move forward on time.”
- Associated General Contractors of America thanked committee leadership for advancing reforms.
Local agencies like California Association of Sanitation Agencies highlighted increasing complexity in water quality needs while supporting reform efforts.
Advocacy groups such as Competitive Enterprise Institute emphasized that meaningful reform must address laws beyond NEPA alone.
Trade associations stressed both environmental protection continuity alongside reduced administrative burdens:
- Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology praised clarifications around pesticide permits.
- Essential Minerals Association criticized what it called regulatory overreach by federal agencies.
Other endorsements came from forest landowners’ groups; golf course superintendents; electrical contractors; natural gas associations; explosives manufacturers; irrigation districts; municipal electric authorities; home builders; manufacturers; hydropower advocates; marine manufacturers; mining companies; rural electric cooperatives; utility contractors; fertilizer producers; chambers of commerce—and others.
According to a recent survey cited by National Association of Manufacturers in 2024—72 percent reported that lengthy permit processes affected investment decisions.
More information about H.R. 3898 can be found through official congressional resources.
