Arizona Chamber Foundation Policy Brief Makes Case for Expanded Use of General Permits
April 12, 2010
Complex permitting environment hinders economic development
PHOENIX – The Arizona Chamber Foundation today released the second in a series of policy briefs by former Small Business Administration Regional Advocate Michael Hull. This most recent paper looks at the gains that could be won from the expanded use of general permits.
General permits can often be issued faster than individual permits which, in the case of the Arizona Department of Environment Quality, can take anywhere from six months to two years to issue.
In his paper, Hull draws a comparison to securing permits to obtaining a driver’s license, in which the general permit process is akin to securing a regular license, yet an individual permit comes with more requirements and restrictions.
“Under the [individual permit] form, you submit your paperwork, are obligated to follow the rules of the road, and then the Motor Vehicle Department can decide what kind of car you can drive, where you need to go for fueling and repair, and how long and how far you can travel every day before granting a license to operate,” Hull writes.
While the use of general permits has grown over the years, other states are employing them more extensively. In Arizona, most water permits are issued as general permits, but in California, that state only issues general permits for storm water discharge associated with construction activity.
While general permit issuance continues to grow on a state level, there is still room for improvement at a county level, according to Hull.
“If Arizona were trying to recruit a manufacturer from another state to set up plants in Maricopa, Pima and Pinal counties, they would have to undertake three different permitting processes with three different requirements,” Hull writes. “Streamlining this process could help with employer recruitment efforts.”
Hull recommends that counties embrace the use of general permits and enter into agreements with one another to allow a permit granted in one county to be applicable in another county.
Diversifying the Arizona economy depends on lessening the barriers to entry, particularly those made by government, Hull says. He points to legislation before the Arizona Legislature, H.B. 2260, which makes a number of pro-business changes to the state’s regulatory environment, including calling for the increased use of general permits by state agencies whenever possible and practical.
“Issuance of general permits is one path state, county and city-level agencies can look at to ease the burden,” Hull writes.
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The Arizona Chamber Foundation (501 (c) 3) is a non-partisan, objective educational and research foundation. The Foundation produces research studies on Arizona public policy issues such as health care, budget, education, regulation, energy and others in an effort to inform policymakers business leaders and the general public.
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