ePermit Act
Latest action (5 Feb 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
The ePermit Act would direct the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), working with agencies such as the General Services Administration, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, and the Office of Management and Budget, to create standardized data formats and technical requirements for how federal agencies handle environmental reviews and permitting decisions. CEQ would develop prototype digital tools, issue implementation guidance, and oversee creation of a "unified interagency data system," including a shared online authorization portal for tracking permit applications, sharing documents, submitting public comments, and displaying project timelines and geospatial data.
The bill primarily affects federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews and permitting, requiring them to assess their current systems, report timelines, and begin implementing new data standards and digital tools within set deadlines (90, 120, and 180 days after enactment, with broader system development by December 2027). Project sponsors seeking permits, and members of the public and Congress seeking transparency into review timelines and decisions, would also gain access to the new portal. The bill states it does not authorize new regulatory requirements beyond existing law, such as NEPA.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 5, 2026, by Senator John Curtis with bipartisan cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee action and approval by both chambers before becoming law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
ePermit Act
This bill establishes requirements related to digitizing environmental reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must develop, publish, and iteratively update data standards for the collection and curation of certain data related to environmental reviews. CEQ must also design, test, and build prototype tools for environmental reviews.
Additionally, CEQ must publish guidance to assist relevant agencies in implementing such standards as well as certain minimum functional requirements, such as data sharing that enables automated transfer of relevant data among federal agencies. Federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations must implement the data standards and such minimum functional requirements.
To the maximum extent practicable, CEQ and such agencies must iteratively develop and maintain a unified interagency data system consisting of interconnected federal agency systems and shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations, including a common interactive, digital, cloud-based authorization portal.
Within a year, CEQ must oversee a pilot of shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations, including the portal. To the maximum extent practicable, CEQ must develop and implement the unified interagency data system by December 1, 2027.
Common questions
- What does S. 3800 do?
- The ePermit Act would direct the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), working with agencies such as the General Services Administration, the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, and the Office of Management and Budget, to create standardized data formats and technical requirements for how federal agencies handle environmental reviews and permitting decisions. CEQ would develop prototype digital tools, issue implementation guidance, and oversee creation of a "unified interagency data system," including a shared online authorization portal for tracking permit applications, sharing documents, submitting public comments, and displaying project timelines and geospatial data. The bill primarily affects federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews and permitting, requiring them to assess their current systems, report timelines, and begin implementing new data standards and digital tools within set deadlines (90, 120, and 180 days after enactment, with broader system development by December 2027). Project sponsors seeking permits, and members of the public and Congress seeking transparency into review timelines and decisions, would also gain access to the new portal. The bill states it does not authorize new regulatory requirements beyond existing law, such as NEPA. The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 5, 2026, by Senator John Curtis with bipartisan cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. It has not yet been voted on, and would need committee action and approval by both chambers before becoming law.
- Has S. 3800 become law?
- Not yet. As of 5 Feb 2026, S. 3800 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 3800?
- S. 3800 was sponsored by Sen. John Curtis [R-UT] (Republican-UT), with 9 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3800?
- Introduced (5 Feb 2026).
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