Regulatory and Permitting Streamline
The Problem
Getting permits for water rights, environmental approvals, building projects, business expansions, and infrastructure starts takes too long because of unclear processes, repeated requests for information, overlapping reviews between agencies, and unnecessary back-and-forth. Simple unprotested water rights applications can still take 3–6 months or longer if any issues arise; protested or complex cases often stretch to 12–18 months or more. DEQ environmental permits and other approvals face similar delays from inconsistent timelines and lack of real-time visibility. This slows housing construction, farm improvements, business growth, road projects, and economic development across Idaho. Costs rise for families, farmers, builders, and companies while good projects sit waiting. Protections for water, environment, and safety are essential, but current red tape hurts everyday Idahoans who just want to build, grow food, start businesses, or improve their communities.
What I'll Do Day One as Governor
Sign an order that speeds up permitting across all state agencies without weakening any environmental, water, or safety protections. Right away:
Set firm maximum timelines for standard permits: 90 days for simple/unprotested applications (e.g., basic water rights transfers or minor DEQ reviews) and 180 days for complex/protested cases, with automatic public tracking of every step.
Require every permitting agency (Water Resources, DEQ, Transportation, Lands, etc.) to post real-time status updates online on Transparent Idaho—applicants and the public can see exactly where the application is, what is needed next, and any delays.
Create a single statewide permitting portal (building on existing online tools) where applicants submit once and agencies coordinate reviews internally—no more sending the same documents to multiple departments separately.
Mandate a "one-stop" pre-application meeting option for complex projects so applicants get clear guidance upfront on requirements and timelines.
Pilot the new timelines and portal in Water Resources and DEQ for common permit types, with weekly progress reports and full results in 90 days.
This uses powers I already have under agency rulemaking authority and existing executive oversight. No new laws needed first.
How This Is Different From Now
Right now, timelines are often guidelines rather than hard limits, status updates are inconsistent or non-existent, and applicants must chase multiple agencies separately. Delays happen without explanation, and there is no central way to track or hold agencies accountable for missed steps. This way goes further: hard maximum timelines with automatic public dashboards, a unified portal to eliminate duplicate submissions, mandatory pre-application guidance, and citizen oversight to catch bottlenecks early. It builds on existing processes but adds real teeth—clear deadlines, total visibility, and accountability—so good projects move faster while protections stay rock-solid.
What I'll Push the Legislature For
Easy laws to make it permanent:
Codify maximum timelines for all major permit categories (90 days standard, 180 days complex) with automatic extensions only for documented good cause and public notice.
Require a statewide single-portal system for submissions and inter-agency coordination, with mandatory real-time status updates.
Add accountability for missed deadlines: public explanation required, citizen team review, and potential budget impact for chronic delays.
Authorize "deemed approved" after maximum timeline (with safeguards for legitimate issues) to incentivize timely decisions without weakening reviews.
Strengthen pre-application meetings as a standard option, with agencies required to provide written checklists and timelines upfront.
No big new spending. Faster approvals generate economic growth and save taxpayer money overall.
How We'll Check It Works
We will keep it honest with:
Public dashboards showing every permit application status in real time on Transparent Idaho.
Independent audits on timeline compliance, reasons for delays, and agency performance.
Citizen team to review complaints, track bottlenecks, gather tips from applicants and locals, and recommend fixes.
Yearly report on average processing times, approval rates, number of extensions, and economic impact (e.g., faster housing starts, farm improvements).
Public feedback portal for applicants to rate the process and flag issues.
Everything open for anyone to look at and ask about.
How This Connects to Other Reforms
Faster permits reduce holding costs for construction and service contracts and boost savings in procurement reform. Better budget decisions protect permitting agencies from cuts that cause delays. Audits verify timeline compliance and spot inefficient reviews. Improved staffing from workforce reform means agencies have people to process permits quickly. Grant-funded projects such as community development move faster with streamlined approvals. This reform leverages the efficiency from the others to drive economic growth and more revenue. It closes the loop on the full plan.
Answers to Common Questions
Won't faster permitting hurt the environment or public safety?
No. All existing environmental, water, and safety protections remain fully in place. We are cutting unnecessary delays and duplication, not standards or review requirements.
What if a permit truly needs more than the maximum timeline?
Extensions are allowed only for documented good cause (e.g., applicant delay or complex data needs), with public notice and explanation. The citizen team reviews patterns of extensions to prevent abuse.
How does this help rural Idahoans, farmers, and small businesses?
Shorter waits mean faster well permits, irrigation upgrades, barn additions, home builds, and business expansions in every county—lower costs and quicker economic wins for rural communities.
Does this cost more to run or require new staff?
No. It uses existing agency staff, online tools already in place, and the current Transparent Idaho platform. Faster decisions reduce long-term costs for applicants and the state.
How does this connect to the State Procurement and Contracts Reform?
Faster permits mean construction and service contracts start and finish sooner, with lower holding costs and better value for taxpayers.
What about very complex projects that involve multiple agencies?
The single portal and mandatory pre-application meetings coordinate reviews upfront. Hard timelines apply with inter-agency accountability to prevent finger-pointing delays.
How will we know if timelines are really being met?
Real-time public dashboards show every step. Yearly reports on Transparent Idaho track average times, extensions, and improvements—plus citizen team oversight.
What if an agency misses a deadline repeatedly?
Public explanation required, citizen team investigation, and potential budget or performance impact. The goal is accountability, not punishment.
How do we balance speed with thorough review?
The citizen team and public comment portal keep the process honest. Applicants can flag rushed reviews, and agencies must document all decisions.
What about water rights specifically?
Simple unprotested transfers aim for 90 days max. Protests or complex cases get 180 days with clear tracking. Pre-application guidance helps avoid common pitfalls upfront.
How does this sequence with other reforms?
Pilots run in Year 1 (low cost), with timelines and portal improvements feeding into faster contracts/procurement in Year 1–2—no unfunded changes.
How does this drive economic growth?
Shorter waits reduce holding costs for projects, speed housing starts, farm upgrades, and business expansions—creating jobs and boosting local economies.
What about appeals or disputes in permitting?
Appeals processes remain unchanged and protected. Public dashboards show status, and citizen team can review patterns to ensure fairness.