This bill establishes a permit transparency program under the administration of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing in Iowa. The program aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the permit approval process by setting standards for processing timelines, providing technical assistance to agencies, and developing metrics to measure efficiency. A permit transparency coordination committee will be formed, consisting of representatives from each agency that issues permits, to share best practices and recommend improvements. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a publicly accessible online permit transparency portal that will allow users to search for permit types, submit applications electronically, track application statuses, and access historical processing data.

Agencies are required to designate a liaison for coordination with the program, integrate their permit processes with the portal, and establish timelines for each procedural stage in the approval process. They must also notify applicants of any deficiencies in their applications within ten business days. Furthermore, within 180 days of the bill's effective date, each agency must conduct an audit of its permits and submit the results to the director. This audit will include recommendations for eliminating unnecessary permits and consolidating those that serve similar purposes. The bill emphasizes the importance of electronic submissions and aims to streamline the permitting process while ensuring accountability and transparency.