News from

For Immediate Release

December 11, 2025

Contact: Corbin Keown,

Corbin.Keown@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C. – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed Rep. Collins' (R-GA) H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act, to cut red tape, streamline review processes, and make permitting under the Clean Water Act (CWA) more efficient and transparent.

This bill will have an immediate impact on energy producers, the agriculture industry, home and road builders, water utilities, and everyday Americans regulated under the CWA by allowing critical infrastructure projects to be built more quickly and efficiently. These reforms are designed to reduce burdensome regulatory requirements, protect against frivolous lawsuits, and increase transparency, while ensuring clean water protections. 

Rep. Collins released the following statement after the bill's passage:

“As we enter a new era with a renewed focus on domestic energy production and growth, this legislation delivers the tools that our country needs to build faster, smarter, and safer,” said Subcommittee Chairman Collins.“When I was appointed as Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I put myself on a mission to make our government more efficient and productive for the American people. I am proud to say that we are doing just that with the PERMIT Act.”

The legislation is supported by over 100 national manufacturing, small business, agricultural, and energy groups, as well as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Ports Authority, Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Power, Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation, and the Georgia Forestry Association.

Georgia Farm Bureau: "We are proud to support the PERMIT Act (HR 3898). This bill ends EPA overreach, cuts red tape and keeping family farms competitive with less regulated competitors. HR 3898 aligns with Sackett, ends unnecessary permits on ditches & prior converted cropland, and saves Georgia farmers millions in compliance costs. We urge swift passage to protect family farms." 

Oglethorpe Power: "During this time of unprecedented growth and planning, it is imperative that federal permitting programs, including those under the CWA, are implemented as intended by Congress and do not unnecessarily delay or hinder critical energy projects, or burden the homes, businesses and farms our member EMCs serve with unreasonable costs."

Jackson Electric Membership Corporation: "The PERMIT Act would reduce overly burdensome regulatory requirements, protect against frivolous lawsuits, and increase certainty, transparency and efficiency in the CWA permitting process while maintaining important environmental protections."

Background

The PERMIT Act:

• Cuts the red tape that drives up utility and service costs, letting communities build faster and keep prices down.
• Helps speed up building approvals that hold housing hostage, lowering construction costs, and getting homes built sooner.
• Moves to end permitting gridlock that stalls road and bridge projects, saving money and delivering safer, faster travel.
• Provides needed clarity and certainty to assist with dredging and construction to facilitate ports moving goods cheaply and efficiently, strengthening supply chains and lowering costs.
• Clears out delays that block upgrades to failing water systems, protecting communities, and keeping clean water reliable.
• Solidifies long-standing Clean Water Act practices, providing predictability and consistency to farmers and protection from frivolous lawsuits.

This is the third bill that Rep. Collins has passed through the House of Representatives in his two terms in Congress, with the previous being the Laken Riley Act to deport illegal criminal aliens and the TRANQ Act to remove deadly synthetic drugs from our streets, which were both signed into law.

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December 5, 2025

Dear Georgian,

We’re cruising by Mile Marker #29 and it’s time to talk about what’s been happening these past few weeks in Washington, D.C. and the District! 

This past week, I was proud to support a series of bills that protect our children from Chinese Communist Party influence in our classrooms. 

The PROTECT Our Kids Act, the CLASS Act, and the TRACE Act stop CCP-linked funding, end Confucius Classrooms, and halt the indoctrination of American students with Chinese propaganda. 

I was also proud to support the DUMP Red Tape Act to cut the red tape that is holding small businesses back and give job creators a direct line to the Small Business Association to let their voices be heard. 

Under the Biden administration, needless federal regulations added $1.7 TRILLION in new regulatory costs and over 300 million regulatory paperwork hours for small business owners. 

In the Golden Age of America, President Trump and House Republicans are working hand in hand to unleash the American economy and rebuild after Joe Biden’s disastrous, job-crushing regulations. Cutting the red tape is just the start.

Next week, my PERMIT Act from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will be on the House floor. This act, originally approved by the committee in June, will drastically improve the permitting process for American permit seekers and holders, while also offering clear instructions and regulations for permitting agencies. 

The PERMIT Act delivers much-needed reform to the Clean Water Act that will overhaul permitting processes and reduce burdens on permit seekers. As we enter a new era with a renewed focus on domestic energy production and growth, this legislation delivers the tools that our country needs to build faster, smarter, and safer. 

When I was appointed as Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I put myself on a mission to make our government more efficient and productive for the American people, and with the PERMIT Act I am proud to say we are doing just that.

Over 50 individual organizations stand behind this act, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Home Builders, and more. In a letter of support for the act, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said, "Streamlining and modernizing our federal permitting systems is intrinsically linked to fostering economic growth.  A more transparent and efficient permitting process will facilitate the timely construction of quality infrastructure, which in turn will help create jobs and grow the economy.”

This isn’t the only great news. In addition to further discussion on the PERMIT Act, Congress will be discussing permit reform at large. Overall, these reforms, in addition to the PERMIT Act, will restore America to a nation of efficiency and innovation to make life cheaper and more affordable.

My staff will be holding mobile office hours next week in Madison, Oglethorpe, Barrow, and Oconee Counties to meet with constituents who wish to share priorities, discuss concerns, and seek help with federal agencies. No appointment required!

Madison County
Tuesday, Dec. 9
11 AM – 2 PM
Madison Co. Board of Commissioners, Public Meeting Room
91 Albany Avenue, Danielsville, GA 30633

Oglethorpe County
Wednesday, Dec. 10
11 AM – 2 PM
Oglethorpe Co. Board of Commissioners, Board Room
105 Union Point Road, Lexington, GA 30648

Barrow County
Thursday, Dec. 11
11 AM – 2 PM
Barrow Co. Historic Courthouse, Public Meeting Room
30 N Broad Street, Winder, GA 30680 

Oconee County
Tuesday, Dec. 16
11 AM – 2 PM
Oconee Co. Administrative Building, Commission Chambers
7635 Macon Highway, Watkinsville, GA 30677

As always, my staff and I are here to help. If you need assistance with a federal agency or have comments or concerns to share with me, please do not hesitate to call my Monroe or Washington, D.C. offices. To receive frequent updates, I encourage you to visit my website, like my Facebook page, and follow me on X.

Sincerely  Mike Collins
Member of Congress

WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
2351 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4101
MONROE DISTRICT OFFICE
100 Court Street
Monroe , GA 30655
Phone: (770) 207-1776