Gov. Shapiro order establishes agency license and permit response times, money-back guarantee

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A new executive order, signed by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, will give businesses a money-back guarantee that government agencies will respond to their licensing and permitting applications within a set time period.

Aimed at improving the state’s licensing, permitting, and certification processes, the executive order establishes a period for agencies to process applications and get back to businesses. If applicants don’t receive a response by the set date, the agency responsible will refund their application fee, the executive order says. The order will also begin a comprehensive look at how long agencies take to process those applications and how online applications work.

“State government’s top priority should be serving the people of our Commonwealth, but for far too long, Pennsylvanians have had to endure long wait times, outdated systems, and bureaucratic delays. They deserve a government that works efficiently and effectively to get them answers,” Shapiro said. “Under my Administration, Pennsylvanians will have certainty – they will know how long it will take for agencies to respond, and if an agency doesn’t live up to that promise, they deserve their money back. Pennsylvanians work hard to keep our economy moving, and the Commonwealth should work just as hard to process their applications.”

The Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its affiliates applauded the move.
“Identifying and streamlining these processes are necessary steps to accelerating economic development and unlocking opportunities for businesses of all sizes and at all stages, from formation to established operations across the commonwealth,” said Matt Smith, Allegheny Conference on Community Development Chief Growth Officer. “This order will establish enhanced standards for commonwealth-issued permits, licenses, and certifications – which, in turn, will result in increased certainty for those seeking to do business here. By providing transparency in processes, setting benchmarks to achieve results, communicating turnaround times, and providing refunds for undue processing delays, the order will help expedite forward progress for businesses across Pennsylvania.”

Smith said the Allegheny Conference felt the move was a “critical next step” in making the Pittsburgh region and the state economically competitive.