In a decisive 28-22 vote last Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 6, an important permitting reform measure designed to modernize and streamline the Commonwealth’s permitting process. The legislation introduced by Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-York, would bring greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency to how state agencies handle permit applications.

Senate Bill 6 establishes a centralized permit tracking system that will allow applicants to monitor the status of their permits in real time. It also enables third-party reviews of delayed applications and codifies key elements of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Executive Order on permitting reform, ensuring these improvements endure beyond any single administration. The bill mandates regular performance reporting, empowering Pennsylvanians to hold agencies accountable for delays and inefficiencies.

These reforms build on the success of the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program, enacted in last year’s budget, which began the process of reducing the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s historic permit backlog. Senate Bill 6 expands those efforts across all state agencies, reinforcing a culture of responsiveness and predictability.

For years, employers across industries—from manufacturing and energy to logistics and construction—have cited permitting delays and inconsistent communication as major barriers to investment in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 6 directly addresses these concerns by creating clear timelines, improving interagency coordination, and reducing uncertainty for businesses seeking to grow and invest in the Commonwealth.

In a public statement, PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein praised the Senate’s action, calling the bill “a major step toward ensuring that Pennsylvania’s permitting process supports economic growth.” He emphasized that the legislation “improves communication between agencies and applicants, creates clear timelines, increases transparency, and ensures accountability by establishing a public permit-tracking system and annual performance reporting.”

The bill now heads to the state House for consideration. The PA Chamber is urging swift action [CLICK HERE to read the memo] to ensure that Pennsylvania’s permitting system is modernized, which will deliver positive, lasting economic results for employers and communities.