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The PERMIT Act (Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today) is a comprehensive package of water-related reforms that would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The bill passed the House in December 2025 and is now under review by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
The legislation would make several significant changes to how water permits are reviewed and issued. It would redefine which waters receive federal protection by excluding certain features like waste treatment systems, seasonal waterways that only flow after rain, previously farmed land, and groundwater. The bill would extend wastewater discharge permits from five to ten years, meaning pollution standards would not be updated as frequently. It would also streamline the permitting process by establishing clearer rules and faster timelines for permit decisions.
Proponents argue the bill reduces regulatory burdens on businesses, farmers, construction companies, and infrastructure projects by cutting through what they view as excessive red tape and providing more certainty. Supporters contend it focuses the Clean Water Act on actual water quality protection rather than procedural delays.
Opponents contend the bill weakens environmental protections by removing safeguards for small streams, wetlands, and seasonal waterways that feed into drinking water sources. They argue it reduces states' ability to review how large projects affect overall water quality and allows polluters to continue using outdated pollution standards for longer periods. Environmental groups characterize it as making it easier for industries to avoid oversight and accountability for water contamination.
AI-generated summary
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Dec 15, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Dec 15, 2025
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jun 11, 2025
To encourage States to participate with the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council's online dashboard for certain covered projects.
Introduced in House
Jun 25, 2025
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3898) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to make targeted reforms with respect to waters of the United States and other matters, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3383) to amend the Investment Company Act of 1940 with respect to the authority of closed-end companies to invest in private funds; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3638) to direct the Secretary of Energy to prepare periodic assessments and submit reports on the supply chain for the generation and transmission of electricity, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3628) to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to add a standard related to State consideration of reliable generation, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3668) to promote interagency coordination for reviewing certain authorizations under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1071) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
No CBO cost estimate has been published for this bill.
Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H5124-5134)
Dec 10, 2025
