S. 3800 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Feb 5, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryDigitalizing environmental review processes nationwide
This bill sets up a system to move environmental reviews online and make them easier for federal agencies to handle together. The Council on Environmental Quality would create digital standards and tools, then require federal agencies to use them when conducting environmental reviews. The goal is to build one connected digital system where agencies can automatically share information and the public can access a single online portal for environmental permits and authorizations.
How it affects you
If you're applying for a federal permit or environmental authorization—whether you're a business, landowner, or organization—this could eventually streamline your experience by reducing paperwork and letting you navigate one online portal instead of dealing with multiple agencies separately. The changes will roll out gradually, with a pilot program starting soon and the full system expected by the end of 2027.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Feb 5, 2026)
ePermit Act
This bill establishes requirements related to digitizing environmental reviews conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) must develop, publish, and iteratively update data standards for the collection and curation of certain data related to environmental reviews. CEQ must also design, test, and build prototype tools for environmental reviews.
Additionally, CEQ must publish guidance to assist relevant agencies in implementing such standards as well as certain minimum functional requirements, such as data sharing that enables automated transfer of relevant data among federal agencies. Federal agencies responsible for environmental reviews or authorizations must implement the data standards and such minimum functional requirements.
To the maximum extent practicable, CEQ and such agencies must iteratively develop and maintain a unified interagency data system consisting of interconnected federal agency systems and shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations, including a common interactive, digital, cloud-based authorization portal.
Within a year, CEQ must oversee a pilot of shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations, including the portal. To the maximum extent practicable, CEQ must develop and implement the unified interagency data system by December 1, 2027.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 3800
A BILL
ePermit Act
Sponsor: Sen. John R. Curtis (R-UT) · Introduced Feb 5, 2026 · Environmental Protection · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Feb 5, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.”
Sections
Sections · 11
- Sec. 1Short titleNo change
- Sec. 2FindingsNo change
- Sec. 3Establishment of data standardsNo change
- Sec. 4Development of prototype toolsNo change
- Sec. 5Publication of guidance for implementation of data standards and minimum functional requirementsNo change
- Sec. 6Implementation of data standards and minimum functional requirementsNo change
- Sec. 7Unified interagency data systemNo change
- Sec. 8Authority to enter into contractsNo change
- Sec. 9Clarifying rulemaking authorityNo change
- Sec. 10Savings clauseNo change
- Sec. 11DefinitionsNo change