Senate Capitol Week in Review
From Senator Steve Crowell
February 20, 2026
LITTLE ROCK – To improve efficiency within state government, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, signed an executive order this week to streamline permitting. The executive order is part of the Governor’s Arkansas Forward initiative to save money and improve efficiency. Consequently, this will help refine government processes and expedite permits to protect natural resources and foster economic growth. State agencies are now required to review their processes around permitting and then submit a plan on how to expedite permits.
The governor stated, “Arkansas is one of the best states in the nation to start, build, and grow a business – but we have to do better to compete across the country and globe.” This will help to add transparency and speed up our permitting process to ensure major economic development projects aren’t held up by unnecessary red tape.”
The executive order will require each cabinet-level state agency, board, or commission that issues permits, licenses, certifications, or other regulatory approvals to conduct a comprehensive review of all such processes within 120 days. Findings may include unnecessary steps that can be eliminated, consolidated, or digitized; laws or regulations that slow down the processing of permits and ways to expedite permits using artificial intelligence.
Specific agencies mentioned in the executive order include the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy and Environment, the Department of Labor and Licensing, and the Department of Health.
Within 180 days of the new order, these agencies must submit a written improvement plan to the governor’s office outlining their current performance metrics and proposed improvements. Agencies will be required to establish timelines available to the public for all major permits and licenses, develop “one-stop” online application portals, expand concurrent reviews across agencies, and provide applicants with real-time status updates and single points of contact.
“The Department of Labor and Licensing applauds the Governor’s business-friendly approach and will continue to improve its user-friendly licensing procedures by expanding its online, interactive licensing platform as funding permits,” said Arkansas Secretary of Labor and Licensing Daryl Basset. “The Department works closely with Arkansas businesses to provide the licensing resources and assistance needed to foster the state’s economic growth and prosperity.”
In 2024, Governor Sanders established Arkansas Forward, outlining at least $300 million in potential cost savings and cost avoidance across five main areas: information technology, procurement, fleet management, personnel, and real estate.