State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) wants state agencies to streamline permitting processes to protect Alabama's small businesses.
Elliott is championing two bills in the 2025 legislative session. He told 1819 News the issue came to his attention after he heard from business owners who had to delay opening for months while waiting for permits.
"As a small business person myself, I have seen and continue to see delays caused by overregulation and regulatory agencies that just cannot seem to get out of each other's way in order to approve permits," Elliott said. "They take too much time and drag their feet at extensive cost to my constituents and to their businesses."
Senate Bill 29 would require state and local governmental bodies to approve or deny permits within 45 days of receiving applications. If the agency does not take action within 45 days, the license, permit or certification would be considered approved.
Elliott said he has seen permitting delays by many state agencies, including the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the health department.
"The vast majority of which are simple in nature and they just take too much time sitting on somebody's desk waiting on somebody to move them along and get them approved," Elliott added. "And that time is money for small businesses."
On the Gulf Coast, several permitting delays have postponed restaurant openings for up to six months. He fears the delays cost businesses and stifle growth.
"We all need to ensure that we are moving along in a customer service-friendly manner and that we are processing the permits that are requested and issuing a ruling and moving on," he explained.
The bill states that permit applicants may waive the time frame requirement for governmental bodies.
Senate Bill 12 would prohibit an agency from requiring permitting from another agency as a condition for issuing permits.
"I see small businesses, in general, held up by the multiple overlapping permitting requirements that are just not small business-friendly," he continued. "We talk a good game in Alabama about business-friendly, but until you go out there and you try to start one, you will be amazed at the cacophony of different permits required to just get your business started."
The proposed laws would not influence federal permitting, such as those of the USDA, FDA or EPA.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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