The proposed bill aims to establish the One Stop Shop Permitting Program in West Virginia, which will streamline the process for obtaining and renewing qualifying permits through a centralized online platform known as the Permitting Dashboard. This program is intended to enhance public awareness, collaboration, and efficiency in the state's permitting processes, particularly for critical infrastructure and economic development projects. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Secretary of the Department of Administration in coordinating the program, providing guidance, and ensuring the dashboard is accessible and user-friendly by July 1, 2026.

Additionally, the bill introduces a refund requirement for agencies that fail to process qualifying permits within established deadlines, thereby holding them accountable for delays. It specifies that the refund will be issued by the agency responsible for the late processing, with certain exceptions for incomplete applications. The legislation also allows for the continued use of paper applications until January 1, 2027, after which the Permitting Dashboard will become the exclusive method for applying for permits, except in cases where alternative methods are mandated by law. The Secretary is empowered to create rules regarding deadlines and fees for expedited processing of applications, further enhancing the program's efficiency.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 5A-13-1, 5A-13-2, 5A-13-3, 5A-13-4, 5A-13-5, 5A-13-6