Federal Issues

Permitting Reform in Congress: A Quiet Shift with Major Implications for Commercial Real Estate

April 27, 2026

While much of the attention in Washington has focused on housing affordability and interest rates, a quieter—but highly consequential—conversation is unfolding around infrastructure and permitting reform. Though technical in nature, these efforts could significantly reshape the commercial real estate (CRE) landscape by determining how quickly and efficiently projects move from concept to construction.

At the center of the debate is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the federal law that requires agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts of major projects before granting approvals. NEPA plays a critical role in safeguarding environmental quality, but it has also become a source of delay and uncertainty. For large-scale developments, environmental reviews can take several years, often increasing costs and exposing projects to prolonged legal challenges.

Recognizing these challenges, lawmakers in Congress—on both sides of the aisle—are working to modernize the permitting process. Several proposals have emerged, most notably the SPEED Act and the PERMIT Act, both of which passed the House in 2025. While each bill takes a slightly different approach, they share a common goal: to make the federal review process more predictable, efficient, and transparent.

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