Summary of HR 4135

Bill Number: HR 4135

Title: To encourage States to participate with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council's online dashboard for certain covered projects.

Status: Introduced in House

Introduced Date: June 25, 2025

Classification: Bill

Primary Sponsor: Dusty Johnson

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of HR 4135 is to encourage U.S. states to actively participate in the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council's (FPISC) online dashboard for specific projects that require state certifications or permits under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The bill aims to streamline the environmental review and authorization process for these projects, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing delays.

Key Provisions

• Encouragement of State Participation: The bill encourages states to engage with the FPISC's online dashboard for any "covered project" as defined in section 41001 of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m). This includes projects that require state certifications or permits under sections 401, 402, or 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

• Maximizing Practical Participation: States are urged to participate "to the maximum extent practicable" in the environmental review and authorization process outlined in section 41003(c) of the FAST Act (42 U.S.C. 4370m–2(c)). This provision emphasizes the importance of collaboration between federal and state agencies to facilitate project approvals.

Who Would Be Affected

• State Governments: The bill directly impacts state agencies responsible for issuing environmental permits and certifications, encouraging them to utilize the FPISC's resources.

• Project Developers: Developers of covered projects will benefit from a potentially expedited review process, leading to faster project approvals and implementation.

• Environmental Stakeholders: The bill may also affect environmental advocacy groups and stakeholders who monitor the permitting process, as increased state participation could lead to more comprehensive environmental assessments.

Procedural Aspects

• Legislative Actions:

  • On June 25, 2025, HR 4135 was introduced in the House and subsequently referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources for further consideration.

• Related Legislation: HR 4135 has a companion bill, HR 3898, which may address similar issues or provide additional context regarding federal permitting processes.

Conclusion

HR 4135 seeks to enhance the efficiency of environmental permitting processes by encouraging state participation in a federal online dashboard for covered projects. By fostering collaboration between state and federal entities, the bill aims to streamline project approvals while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.