Steil, McCaul, Ellzey, Ross Introduce Bill to Make Key Technology Industries Eligible for Streamlined Permitting Process

WASHINGTON, DC— Representative Bryan Steil (WI-01) and Representatives Michael McCaul (TX-10), Jake Ellzey (TX-06), and Deborah Ross (NC-02) introducedlegislation that will speed up permitting for key technology industries, including semiconductors, to encourage companies to produce products in the United States. Currently, the permitting process often takes longer than other countries. This bill does not alter U.S. environmental regulations, but works to increase the speed and transparency of the permitting process. 

“If we’ve learned anything from the supply chain shortages in the last few months, much less the last two years, it’s that we need to encourage production of goods in the United States,” saidSteil. “Too often, there are bureaucratic delays preventing investment in chip manufacturing. This bill will allow producers to get up and running quickly and allow the United States to become a leader in chip manufacturing once again.”

"Each new semiconductor fab built in the United States means not only thousands of good paying jobs but also a more secure supply chain for critical products," saidMcCaul. "This bipartisan legislation will cut red tape for manufacturing key technologies here in America—helping our economy and protecting our national security."

“It is imperative that the U.S. leads in microelectronics. And today, I had the honor of co-sponsoring this legislation to do just that,” saidEllzey. “This voluntary program will allow semiconductor factories to be built in an efficient, predictable, and transparent process, accelerating U.S. leadership in the microelectronics industry. As the world and our economy become more dependent on microchips, this legislation will be instrumental in increasing our domestic production and development of next-generation chips. I want to thank Senator Hagerty and Ranking Member McCaul for their leadership in making America a leader in the production of semiconductors.”

“Our nation has long been a global leader in science and technology, propelled by hubs of innovation and research like my district in Raleigh,” saidRoss. “To maintain this position, America must invest in key technologies, from semiconductors to advanced computing and cybersecurity. I was proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that will not only help create jobs nationwide in these sectors but also ensure we have the technological capabilities to bolster our national security into the future.”

Background:

Senators Bill Hagerty, Rob Portman, and Angus King introduced the Senate version of the bill, which passed in January by Unanimous Consent.

This bill would allow key technology industries that play a role in our national security, such as semiconductors, to utilize a streamlined permitting process known as FAST-41. The intent of this legislation is to create a domestic permitting process that allows technology sectors to come online in an efficient manner while maintaining certain protections. In addition to semiconductors, the technologies included in the bill are artificial intelligence and machine learning, high-performance computing and advanced computer hardware and software, quantum information science and technology, data storage and data management, and cybersecurity.

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