The Expediency and Accessibility in State Environmental Permitting Act aims to enhance the transparency and efficiency of the environmental permitting process in New Jersey by requiring the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create an online permit transparency portal, known as the EASE Permitting Portal. This portal will allow permit applicants and the public to monitor the status of permit applications, including details on application completeness and review stages. The bill mandates that the portal be developed in phases, with specific deadlines for different divisions within the DEP, and establishes minimum requirements for the information that must be accessible through the portal.

Additionally, the bill directs the DEP to transition its existing permit management systems to a more integrated permitting workflow management system that facilitates better communication between applicants and the department. To fund these technological improvements, the DEP is authorized to impose a three percent technology surcharge on permit fees, with the proceeds dedicated to supporting these enhancements. The bill appropriates $3,750,000 from the General Fund, allocating $3 million for the development of the EASE Permitting Portal and $750,000 for the needs assessment and planning of the permitting process upgrade.