[Comm-Council] FW: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Signs E-Permitting Legislation to Streamline Construction Permitting

Wed May 2 11:25:32 PDT 2007

Lonn Hoklin

Public Affairs Manager

Oregon Department of Administrative Services

503.378.2627

503.428.2169 (cell)

________________________________

From: SHERWOOD Jodi L * Governor's Office 
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 11:25 AM
To: EXEC Net List
Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Governor Signs E-Permitting Legislation to
Streamline Construction Permitting

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    

May 2, 2007

Contact: 
Anna Richter Taylor: 503.378.6169

Jake Weigler: 503.378.6496

Diane Childs (DCBS), 503.947.7868

Governor Signs E-Permitting Legislation to Streamline Construction
Permitting 

Oregon's statewide electronic permitting program is first of its kind in
the nation

Salem - Governor Ted Kulongoski today signed into law House Bill 2405,
creating the nation's first statewide online permitting program.  A
priority bill of the Governor's, HB 2405 will allow Oregon contractors
to electronically submit and manage building-related paperwork with any
city or county across the state.

"This groundbreaking program will save contractors' time and help
complete projects more quickly - a win for businesses and for
consumers," said the Governor. "This program is a prime example of
business and government working together to find creative, innovative
ways to improve service and Oregon's economic competitiveness."

Creating the online program, contractors will now be able to use the
internet to apply, pay for and receive permits; submit building plans
for review and tracking; and schedule, track and receive inspection
reports with 132 cities and counties across Oregon.

The statewide program will build on the existing e-permitting pilot
project at www.BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov. Currently the site, hosted by
the Department of Consumer and Business Services, allows contractors in
fifteen cities and counties across the state to apply and pay for simple
permits.

"In less than two years of the pilot's operation, contractors have
purchased more than 10,000 permits online. Both contractors and local
governments have praised the new system, saying it saves both parties a
significant amount of time and makes each of them more efficient on the
job," noted Governor Kulongoski during the signing ceremony.

HB 2405 is one of 31 regulatory streamlining bills submitted at the
request of the Governor to make it easier to do business in Oregon. The
Governor has already signed into law SB 89 and HB 2614, which
respectively allow the temporary transfer of water rights in certain
irrigation districts and permitting wineries to sell malt beverages at
licensed special events off premises.

Over the past four years, state agencies have completed nearly 200
projects and the Legislature has enacted more than 100 measures to
simply regulations on business, while preserving protections for the
public.

"As a result, our improved regulatory climate has helped us turn our
economy around - and Oregon is now a national model in regulatory
streamlining," the Governor said. "Looking at the diverse group of
business, labor and government officials here today just goes to show
how much we can accomplish when we collaborate and stay focused on a
common goal."

Oregon's e-permitting program has received national attention. During
the legislative hearing process, the Alliance for Building Regulatory
Reform in the Digital Age, a national public-private sector partnership,
hailed the statewide e-permitting program as a streamlining model other
states can replicate. Many states have requested information on Oregon's
program, specifically how it can reduce construction costs and delays
and speed economic recovery after a disaster.

For more information on the program: 
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/epermit.shtml

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