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Bipartisan Action on Permitting Reform Creating New Opportunities for PA’s Small Businesses

In a step toward ensuring that Pennsylvania can continue attracting investment and growth that will make us the next innovation hub of the world, the PA Chamber was excited to celebrate the state Senate’s recent passage of S.B. 6, a transformative permitting reform measure.

Senate Bill 6 aims to modernize and streamline the Commonwealth’s permitting process, removing long-standing barriers to investment and growth that have slowed project completion times and disproportionately impacted small businesses.

Why It Matters

Senate Bill 6 directly addresses concerns voiced by employers across various industries, including manufacturing, energy, logistics, and construction, who have long cited permitting delays and inconsistent communication as significant obstacles to expansion. The bill:

  • Improves communication between agencies and applicants.
  • Creates clear timelines for permit decisions.
  • Increases transparency through a public permit-tracking system.
  • Ensures accountability via annual performance reporting.
  • Allows third-party reviews to keep projects moving.
  • Codifies firm decision deadlines so employers can invest with confidence.

Read the full PA Chamber statement

Bipartisan Support: Governor Josh Shapiro has championed permitting reform since he took office, both through executive action and the launch of the PA Permit Fast Track Program, which accelerates approvals for high-impact projects; and the SPEED Program, which was created through bipartisan legislation and expedites permit reviews by qualified professionals through the Department of Environmental Protection.

U.S. Senators Dave McCormick and John Fetterman have also called for streamlined permitting, recognizing its potential to drive investment, job creation, and economic opportunity across the Commonwealth.

Real Results for Small Businesses

These reforms aren’t just theoretical—they’re already improving the bottom line for small businesses:

  • Faster licenses and certifications mean a quicker time to project completion.
  • Streamlined timelines reduce uncertainty and allow for better planning.
  • Cleared backlogs free up stalled projects and reduce wait times.
  • Expanded access to programs enables more small businesses to compete for contracts and participate in local project development.

Whether it’s helping a local contractor get certified faster or a manufacturer you know break ground on a new facility, permitting reform is clearing the way for small businesses to thrive.

What’s Next?

The PA Chamber is urging House lawmakers to act swiftly on S.B. 6 to ensure these reforms become law. As PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein noted, “When government and the business community work together to improve efficiency and predictability, everyone wins.”

Have you seen permitting reform make a difference for your business? Share your story with us at landrews@pachamber.org – we’d love to feature it in our blog, The Current.