Committee advances 'Fast Track Permits' bill requiring 60‑day municipal response

Representative Ken Underwood, sponsor of House Bill 1207, told the committee the bill creates a 60‑day deadline for cities or counties to respond to permit applications so applicants will know whether to proceed.

Underwood said the measure, which he called the 'Fast Track Permits Bill,' does not force local governments to approve applications but requires them to approve, deny or request changes within 60 days. "If an applicant complies with all of the requirements related to a permit imposed by local government, they shall not [be] denied," Underwood said when explaining an amendment that also corrects a missing location reference in the House language.

Members pressed sponsors on enforcement and potential gaming of the clock. "Sometimes we have a shot clock and they keep requesting changes, and the shot clock restarts," said Senator Sullivan. Underwood responded that the bill anticipates third‑party delays and that similar measures in other states have included protections; he pointed to Florida's 2021 reforms as an example of bipartisan use of such deadlines.

Senator Sarah Bryant urged the committee to monitor implementation and advised colleagues to check with local builders about whether municipalities reset the clock with arbitrary requirements. Sponsors and the municipal league said stakeholders had been engaged and their concerns were addressed on the House end.

The committee adopted Underwood's amendment and passed House Bill 1207 by voice vote.