Committee advances bill to create state permitting coordinator as single point of contact

Representative Kyle told the committee HB 530 would create a single permitting coordinator position under the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity to help businesses and others navigate state and federal permitting.

The bill does not strip permitting authority from existing agencies, Kyle said; rather, it would establish “a coordinator that somebody that will be a single point of contact for entities in seeking permits for the state and for federal permitting,” and produce guidance to improve clarity and efficiency.

“Instead of having to chase it down within the different divisions, they’ll develop guidance materials to assist those that are seeking those permits,” Kyle said. He also said federal partners were supportive of the concept.

There was no public comment on the measure. Representative Cutler moved that the committee favorably recommend HB 530 to the full House; the sponsor spoke in support and the chair ruled the motion passed unanimously. The bill will move forward to the full House for further consideration.