Contact Congress about H.R. 3898: PERMIT Act
Projects that affect water or wetlands could get permits faster and keep them longer. The bill also narrows which waters and farm-related discharges need federal permits.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
PERMIT Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Latest action on H.R. 3898: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people and groups that need Clean Water Act permits or deal with water pollution rules. That includes farmers, landowners, builders, energy companies, pipeline and transmission projects, states, federal water agencies, and communities near affected waters.
Why this matters: Clean Water Act permits can decide how quickly major projects move and how much review water impacts receive. This bill would make many permits last longer and move faster. It would also remove some activities and waters from federal permit rules. The result could be faster projects, but also less federal oversight in some places.
Key provisions in H.R. 3898
- States and EPA would have to consider whether water treatment is affordable and available before setting water quality standards. They would also have to consider whether the technology has worked at real-world scale.
- EPA could issue new or updated national water quality criteria only through formal rulemaking. That process includes public notice, public comments, and possible court review.
- States would have less room to deny water quality certifications tied to federal permits. They would have to rely on specific Clean Water Act rules, give written reasons, finish within one year, and use a defined test for a complete request.
- Some energy transmission permit disputes would get fast federal court review. A case would have to be filed within 30 days, and the court would aim to decide within 120 days.
- EPA could issue broad discharge permits for a state, region, or the whole country. If EPA will not renew similar permits, it must give two years of public notice, and many expired general permits would keep working until replaced.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 3898
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 3898
- What is H.R. 3898?
- Projects that affect water or wetlands could get permits faster and keep them longer. The bill also narrows which waters and farm-related discharges need federal permits.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 3898?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 3898?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 3898 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
