This bill mandates timely approval of applications for federal easements, rights-of-way, and leases by automatically approving complete applications if agencies fail to meet deadlines.
Jay Obernolte
Representative
CA-23
The GRANTED Act of 2025 aims to expedite the approval process for federal easements, rights-of-way, and leases. It mandates that executive agencies must approve or deny complete applications by a set deadline, otherwise, the application is automatically approved. The bill clarifies the definition of a "complete" application and sets a 30-day timeframe for agencies to notify applicants of any missing information. These changes apply to applications received on or after the enactment date of this Act.
GRANTED Act of 2025: Auto-Approvals for Federal Land Use Permits Kick In If Agencies Delay
This bill, officially called the "Granting Remaining Applications Not Treated Efficiently or Delayed Act of 2025" (or GRANTED Act, because of course), changes how the government handles applications for using federal land. It's all about easements, rights-of-way, and leases – basically, getting permission to build stuff like pipelines, cell towers, or renewable energy projects on federal property.
Speeding Things Up (Maybe Too Fast?)
The core of the GRANTED Act is about making the application process faster. It amends Section 6409(b)(3) of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. Instead of just needing a "duly filed" application, now it has to be "complete." But here's the kicker: if an agency doesn't approve or deny a complete application on time, it's automatically approved the very next day. This puts some serious pressure on federal agencies.
What's "Complete," Anyway?
That's where it gets interesting. An application is considered "complete" once you've taken the first step required and you haven't received a notice within 30 days saying something's missing. (Section 2). Think of it like ordering something online – you hit "submit," and if you don't get an email saying your credit card was declined within 30 days, you assume it's all good. Except in this case, it means you might get to build that cell tower or pipeline whether the agency has fully reviewed the environmental impact or not.
Real-World Rollout
Imagine a small telecom company applying to install a new 5G antenna on federal land. They submit their paperwork, and if they don't hear back within 30 days that anything is incomplete, their application is considered complete. Then, if the agency misses its final deadline, boom – automatic approval. This could mean faster internet for rural areas, but it also means less time for, say, assessing the impact on local wildlife.
Or picture a solar energy company wanting to build a new array. The same rules apply. Faster approval could mean quicker deployment of renewable energy, but it could also raise concerns about bypassing thorough environmental reviews. This isn't just hypothetical – these are the kinds of projects this bill directly affects.
The Catch
While the GRANTED Act aims to cut red tape, it could also create some new problems. Agencies might get overwhelmed by the 30-day notice requirement, potentially leading to rushed reviews. The automatic approval clause could be a big deal. It's designed to prevent applications from getting stuck in limbo, but could it lead to projects being greenlit without the usual checks and balances? Time will tell.