Committee adopts substitute and advances bill setting timelines for permit review and applicant notice

Senate Bill 29, which establishes review timelines for license and permit applications, advanced after the committee adopted a substitute aligning the bill with state and federal notice and hearing requirements.

Under the substitute discussed in committee, a permitting authority must notify an applicant of deficiencies within 15 days after receiving a complete application. The governing body must then approve, deny, or request additional time within 45 days; if the applicant agrees to waive additional time, the authority may take longer. Committee debate emphasized that the substitute preserves existing public‑notice, public‑hearing, and federal requirements that could extend timelines, and sponsors said the substitute was designed to avoid automatic approvals in cases requiring extended vetting.

Stakeholders including the Alabama League of Municipalities opposed the original bill and raised concerns about automatic approvals and unintended consequences for zoning, historic preservation, and public safety. Industry groups such as the Alabama Associated General Contractors supported the bills to reduce project delays. The Alabama Board of Pharmacy and others cautioned that federal reviews (for example, DEA or FDA checks) can take longer than 45 days and the substitute explicitly preserves those exceptions.

The committee adopted the substitute and then gave SB 29 a favorable report as substituted by voice/roll call; supporters said the substitute balances timely permitting for applicants with protections for cases that require additional legal or administrative review.