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Pa. State Sen. Baker Introduces Legislation to Give Rural Hospitals Another Option to Keep Care Local
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Sept. 25 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release:
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Baker Introduces Legislation to Give Rural Hospitals Another Option to Keep Care Local
September 24, 2026
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HARRISBURG -- Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) today introduced legislation to establish a state license category for Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH), giving eligible rural hospitals in Pennsylvania another option to sustain emergency and outpatient care in the face of an ever-challenging operating climate.
Senate Bill 1454 would allow a Critical Access Hospital or a rural hospital
... Show Full Article
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Sept. 25 -- The Pennsylvania Senate Republicans issued the following news release:
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Baker Introduces Legislation to Give Rural Hospitals Another Option to Keep Care Local
September 24, 2026
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HARRISBURG -- Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20) today introduced legislation to establish a state license category for Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH), giving eligible rural hospitals in Pennsylvania another option to sustain emergency and outpatient care in the face of an ever-challenging operating climate.
Senate Bill 1454 would allow a Critical Access Hospital or a rural hospitalwith 50 or fewer beds to convert to a federally designated REH.
"Rural hospitals are critical infrastructure for the communities they serve, but financial pressures, workforce shortages and other challenges continue to threaten their ability to maintain inpatient services," Baker said. "We cannot wait until a hospital is on the verge of closing to start looking for solutions. We need to give rural providers options that allow them to adapt while keeping essential healthcare services available close to home."
The REH designation was created to provide eligible rural hospitals with an alternative to closure while continuing to provide emergency, observation and outpatient services. Under the federal model, REHs receive Medicare reimbursement for covered services, as well as an additional monthly facility payment.
According to the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP), more than 50 rural hospitals across 22 states have converted to REH status. The designation is currently not available to Pennsylvania hospitals.
"Pennsylvania's rural hospitals are continuing to face significant challenges, from workforce shortages to inadequate reimbursement and growing financial pressures," said Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of HAP. "Communities cannot afford to lose the essential services these hospitals provide. The REH model offers a pathway for hospitals that may no longer be able to sustain inpatient services to continue providing emergency and outpatient care close to home. We appreciate Sen. Baker for championing legislation that keeps care local."
HAP notes that six Pennsylvania rural hospitals have closed since 2005, while nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed nationally during that period.
"Every rural hospital closure has consequences that extend far beyond the hospital itself," Baker said. "When a hospital closes, patients may have to travel farther for care, communities can lose healthcare providers and local economies can be affected. Senate Bill 1454 provides another pathway for rural hospitals to consider and could help preserve access to care for the Pennsylvanians who depend on these facilities."
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Original text here: https://www.pasenategop.com/news/baker-introduces-legislation-to-give-rural-hospitals-another-option-to-keep-care-local/
N.M. Economic Development Dept.: New Mexico Backs $1.4 Billion Medical Isotope Project
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 25 -- The New Mexico Department of Economic Development issued the following news release:
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September 24, 2026
New Mexico backs $1.4 billion medical isotope project
Project will strengthen America's medical supply chain, add 205 New Mexico jobs
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SANTA FE -- Eden Radioisotopes, an Albuquerque-based medical isotopes company, will invest up to $1.4 billion to build a production facility in Lea County, backed by the State of New Mexico.
The project represents North America's first purpose-built medical isotope production reactor and processing facility, making
... Show Full Article
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 25 -- The New Mexico Department of Economic Development issued the following news release:
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September 24, 2026
New Mexico backs $1.4 billion medical isotope project
Project will strengthen America's medical supply chain, add 205 New Mexico jobs
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SANTA FE -- Eden Radioisotopes, an Albuquerque-based medical isotopes company, will invest up to $1.4 billion to build a production facility in Lea County, backed by the State of New Mexico.
The project represents North America's first purpose-built medical isotope production reactor and processing facility, makingit a lynchpin in America's medical supply chain. The facility will be used to produce isotopes used in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment, helping doctors find disease at the cellular level and deliver targeted care.
Economic Development New Mexico is backing the expansion through the state's Job Training Incentive Program, the high wage and rural job tax credits and LEDA GRT Share. The project is expected to generate more than $1.5 billion in economic impact over 10 years.
Every day, more than 40,000 procedures in the U.S. use medical isotopes, yet our country is dependent on aging reactors and overseas production for much of its supply. Outages and other disruptions can put these fragile supply lines at risk. Eden's project will help bring more of that production home, ensuring a dependable supply of medical isotopes for patients and doctors across the country.
"This is a win for New Mexico's economy and for American healthcare," said Economic Development Secretary Rob Black. "We're bringing high-wage jobs to New Mexico while helping build a more reliable supply of critical medical isotopes."
"We're proud to build this critical medical isotope capacity here in New Mexico, a state with a long history of nuclear innovation," said Carrie Freeman, CEO of Eden Radioisotopes. "This project will create high-quality jobs for New Mexicans while helping ensure patients across the United States have reliable access to the medical isotopes they need for lifesaving diagnosis and treatment."
The project will create 205 jobs statewide, including 146 jobs in Lea County, 200 of which are tied to manufacturing. Phase 1, expected to be operational in 2030, will create 125 jobs, followed by 80 more jobs with the addition of a second reactor.
The jobs will include nuclear engineers, reactor operators, radiation safety professionals, skilled technicians and other specialized positions.
The project also builds on New Mexico's long history of nuclear innovation. Eden's reactor technology is based on research developed at Sandia National Laboratories, while New Mexico's universities -- including the University of New Mexico, which pioneered nuclear medicine work beginning in the 1970s -- will help develop the skilled workforce needed for the industry's future.
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Original text here: https://edd.newmexico.gov/press-releases/new-mexico-backs-1-4-billion-medical-isotope-project/
N.M. A.G. Torrez Calls on Congress to Protect Americans From Unchecked AI Development
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 25 (TNSida) -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Raul Torrez Calls on Congress to Protect Americans from Unchecked AI Development
September 24, 2026
Albuquerque, NM - Earlier today, following the New Mexico Department of Justice's formal letter to the University of New Mexico (UNM) regarding an attempted AI driven intrusion into UNM's digital library, Attorney General Raul Torrez called on Congress to immediately regulate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. In a separate letter sent to Speaker
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SANTA FE, New Mexico, Sept. 25 (TNSida) -- New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Raul Torrez Calls on Congress to Protect Americans from Unchecked AI Development
September 24, 2026
Albuquerque, NM - Earlier today, following the New Mexico Department of Justice's formal letter to the University of New Mexico (UNM) regarding an attempted AI driven intrusion into UNM's digital library, Attorney General Raul Torrez called on Congress to immediately regulate the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. In a separate letter sent to SpeakerMike Johnson, Majority Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, AG Torrez, and a coalition of 25 attorneys general, warn that recent incidents, including the attempted breach targeting UNM, demonstrate that unchecked AI development endangers Americans and poses growing threats to the nation's financial system, critical infrastructure, and national security.
The coalition urges Congress to quickly pass substantive legislation to regulate the AI industry to ensure that development occurs at an intentional pace, incorporates safety and transparency by design, and maintains states' ability to oversee the industry.
"Across the country, we're seeing undeniable evidence that the newest generation of AI systems can behave unpredictably and operate outside the boundaries developers intended," said Attorney General Raul Torrez. "Congress must take action now, and here in New Mexico we're preparing legislation to ensure these technologies are subject to meaningful safeguards before they put our communities at risk."
Several recent examples exist in which AI has behaved dangerously or illegally.
On May 25 and 26 the University of New Mexico (UNM) reported an attempted unauthorized intrusion into UNM's digital library by an autonomous artificial intelligence agent operated by OpenAI. While the reported attempts were unsuccessful, the incident fits into a growing pattern of "loss of control" events at frontier AI laboratories (including breaches, deceptive behavior, and circumvention of safeguards) that pose emerging risks to public institutions, critical infrastructure, businesses, and communities. The fact that one of these incidents reached a UNM system underscores the seriousness of these developments for New Mexico.
On July 16, Hugging Face, an open-source library and repository, reported that it was being attacked by an unknown third party. Within a week, OpenAI admitted that the attack was waged by its AI agents, which escaped a testing environment and infiltrated Hugging Face using stolen credentials. OpenAI was aware of the agents' capabilities and failed to monitor their activity or stop their exploits. The agents' actions, if perpetrated by a human, would have constituted criminal conduct.
Following the Hugging Face incident, Anthropic and Meta also acknowledged their AI agents had entered the open web and performed dangerous and unlawful actions. This agent behavior has been known to the industry for years and is a direct result of their training. Through a practice called "reinforcement learning," AI labs reward models' achievement of goals and penalize unsuccessful attempts, leading models to take reckless measures to complete the tasks they are given.
These reports have led to some of the AI industry's leading developers calling for regulation. OpenAI's Chief Global Affairs Officer called for "mandatory, capability-based national AI safety regulation." Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged the United States to lead international coordination of AI model development because this effort "will require government support."
Attorney General Torrez and the coalition are calling on Congress to take immediate action to ensure AI development does not lead to irreversible damage or further illegal behavior. In their letter, the coalition emphasizes that any AI regulatory scheme considered by congress must include:
* Federal oversight of safety testing and standards, led by experts in the field of AI model safety and backed by consistent performance benchmarks;
* Uniform and transparent government-led incident response with public findings that allow the industry to rapidly evolve in response;
* Safety infrastructure and experienced leaders to make critical safety decisions unburdened by profit maximization;
* International cooperation to pace AI advancement and prevent the development of harmful superintelligence; and
* A prohibition on preemption of state laws and full authority for state officials to enforce federal protections.
Joining Attorney General Torrez in sending the letter to Congress are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa.
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INFODOC: https://nmdoj.gov/wp-content/uploads/AG-Letter-Federal-AI-Regulation.pdf
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Original text here: https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/attorney-general-raul-torrez-calls-on-congress-to-protect-americans-from-unchecked-ai-development/
Governor Newsom on the California Supreme Court Ruling Sheriff Bianco Illegally Seized Ballots
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Sep 24, 2026
Governor Newsom on the California Supreme Court ruling Sheriff Bianco illegally seized ballots
What you need to know: After the 2025 special election for Proposition 50, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco illegally seized hundreds of thousands of ballots in an attempt to claim and prove voter fraud (no evidence was ever provided). California leaders took him to court to hold him accountable and the Governor signed new laws preventing a similar future attack on democracy.
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SACRAMENTO
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SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 25 -- Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-California, issued the following news release:
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Sep 24, 2026
Governor Newsom on the California Supreme Court ruling Sheriff Bianco illegally seized ballots
What you need to know: After the 2025 special election for Proposition 50, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco illegally seized hundreds of thousands of ballots in an attempt to claim and prove voter fraud (no evidence was ever provided). California leaders took him to court to hold him accountable and the Governor signed new laws preventing a similar future attack on democracy.
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SACRAMENTO- Governor Gavin Newsom today released the following statement in response to the California Supreme Court ruling Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco illegally seized hundreds of thousands of ballots from last year's special election, determining: "that the seizure of the ballots was unlawful."
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"Today's ruling affirms that in California we will defend democracy -- using every branch of government. And the new laws I signed just last week add new protections so attacks like this cannot happen again. People deserve to know their ballot is counted and secure, and in California we will do everything we can to protect that constitutional right -- this year, and beyond."
Governor Gavin Newsom
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This ruling (Cervantes v. Bianco 9/24/26 SC) comes as the Governor signed a 13-bill election protection package last week -- building on his extensive record defending democracy -- and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Trump administration's attempts to weaponize the U.S. Postal Service with regards to the vote-by-mail process.
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Original text here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/09/24/governor-newsom-on-the-california-supreme-court-ruling-sheriff-bianco-illegally-seized-ballots/
DEC Announces $1.25 Million in Funding Available for Hudson River Estuary Communities
ALBANY, New York, Sept. 25 -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the following news release:
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September 24, 2026
DEC Announces $1.25 Million in Funding Available for Hudson River Estuary Communities
Grants Support Resiliency Planning and Adaptation to Climate Risk in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed
Additional Funding for Improvements to Estuary Health, Recreational Access, and Environmental Education
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the availability of $1.25 million in grants
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ALBANY, New York, Sept. 25 -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation issued the following news release:
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September 24, 2026
DEC Announces $1.25 Million in Funding Available for Hudson River Estuary Communities
Grants Support Resiliency Planning and Adaptation to Climate Risk in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed
Additional Funding for Improvements to Estuary Health, Recreational Access, and Environmental Education
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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced the availability of $1.25 million in grantsfor projects to help communities within the Hudson River Estuary watershed plan for and adapt to climate change, advance conservation and stewardship, restore habitat, improve recreational river access, and expand educational programming. The funding is announced during Climate Week and National Estuaries Week, an annual celebration to promote the importance of estuaries and the need to protect them.
"During Climate Week, New York recognizes the impact Governor Kathy Hochul's record investments in local conservation efforts are making in improving our state's resiliency to climate change," Commissioner Lefton said. "Healthy estuaries play a crucial role and the $1.25 million available now through the Hudson River Estuary Grants program will help Hudson River communities further adapt to climate risk and implement projects that restore and protect estuary ecosystems."
Four Requests for Applications (RFAs) are available: Tributary Restoration and Resilience, Local Stewardship Planning, River Education, and River Access. All projects must align with goals in the 2026-2030 Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda.
$350,000 for Local Stewardship Planning
Approximately $350,000 is available to help local organizations and communities prepare plans, studies, and policies, and engage the public in climate adaptation, conservation, and tributary stewardship in the estuary watershed. Eligible projects include:
* Climate adaptation and resilience planning and actions to adapt to climate risks
* Planning for conservation of habitats and contiguous natural areas
* Watershed-based stewardship and planning for Hudson River estuary tributaries
The minimum grant award for Local Stewardship Planning is $10,500 and the maximum is $50,000.
$400,000 for Tributary Restoration and Resiliency
Approximately $400,000 is available for projects to support restoration of free-flowing tributaries to conserve and restore habitat, improve water quality, and address localized flooding. Eligible projects include:
* Dam removal construction
* Dam removal engineering and design
* Dam removal initial reconnaissance and risk assessment
* Stream crossing replacement
* Stream crossing design
* Stream crossing design and replacement
Projects that benefit river herring and American eel and are in closest sequential proximity to tidal waters are priorities. The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum is $200,000.
$250,000 for River Education
Approximately $250,000 is available for projects to enhance education about the Hudson River Estuary and its watershed and make learning opportunities more accessible for a wide range of people. Eligible projects include:
* Locally-based facilities for learning about the Hudson River Estuary
* Education programs and resources about the Hudson River Estuary
* Educator professional development or curriculum development
* Intensive environmental science research programs for young adults
The minimum grant award for River Education is $20,000, and the maximum grant amount is $100,000.
$250,000 for River Access
Approximately $250,000 is available for projects to improve resiliency to flooding and sea-level rise and improve accessibility to the Hudson River Estuary and its tidal tributaries. Eligible projects include:
* Access site improvements for swimming, boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities
* Access site resiliency to flooding and sea level rise
The minimum grant award is $10,500 and the maximum grant amount is $100,000.
Webinars about project eligibility and the application process will be held on October 8, 2026, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Register for the webinars on the Hudson River Estuary Program's Grants and Funding Opportunities webpage. The webinars will be recorded and will be available to view on DEC's website. Applications are due on December 17, 2026.
Now in its 23rd year, DEC's Hudson River Estuary Grants Program implements priorities outlined in DEC's 2026-2030 Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda. To date, the Hudson River Estuary Program has awarded more than 680 grants totaling more than $31.7 million.
Funding for DEC's Estuary Grants program is provided by New York State's Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), a critical resource for environmental programs, such as land acquisition, farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, recreation access, water quality improvement, and environmental justice projects. The FY 2026-27 New York State Budget includes an increase of the Environmental Protection Fund to a record $450 million to support measures to adapt and mitigate climate impacts.
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Original text here: https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2026/9/dec-announces-125-million-in-funding-available-for-hudson-river-estuary-communities
Conn. Energy Dept.: Connecticut and New England State Partners Announce Over 100 MW of Clean Energy Selections
HARTFORD, Connecticut, Sept. 25 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued the following news release:
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09/24/2026
Connecticut and New England State Partners Announce Over 100 MW of Clean Energy Selections
Solar Projects Will Expand New England's Electricity Supply and Provide Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy for New England Ratepayers
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(HARTFORD)- Today, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), together with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Rhode Island Energy, announced the collective selection
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HARTFORD, Connecticut, Sept. 25 -- The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued the following news release:
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09/24/2026
Connecticut and New England State Partners Announce Over 100 MW of Clean Energy Selections
Solar Projects Will Expand New England's Electricity Supply and Provide Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy for New England Ratepayers
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(HARTFORD)- Today, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), together with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Rhode Island Energy, announced the collective selectionof new clean energy projects totaling 102.4 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation through a collaborative, multistate, competitive solicitation. Connecticut is procuring 63.4 MW across three projects, with the remainder procured by Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The portfolio of projects selected will improve the reliability of the state and region's electric grid, save New England ratepayers money on energy supply and capacity market costs by bringing new affordable generation online, and increase the state's electricity supply with clean, emission-free resources. Projects were selected through a collaborative, competitive, multistate solicitation for new zero-carbon energy resources. New England ratepayers will see affordability and reliability benefits from the full portfolio of projects, including those selected by the other states.
"New England states are strongest when we work together to secure reliable and affordable energy for our residents and businesses," Governor Ned Lamont said. "These selections will bring additional generation onto the regional grid, help diversify our energy supply, and deliver clean power at competitive prices. Connecticut is continuing to pursue practical energy solutions that put affordability and reliability first."
"This competitive procurement demonstrates the value of regional coordination," Acting DEEP Commissioner Emma Cimino said. "By partnering with Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Connecticut can secure additional clean energy resources while sharing project output and expanding the benefits across the region. These solar projects will strengthen New England's electricity supply and support our shared affordability, reliability, and climate goals."
"Solar is the fastest way to add affordable power to our shared electric grid. This multi-state collaboration brings clean energy and economic development opportunities to our region and helps us meet demand," said Massachusetts Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. "Every summer, solar keeps our lights on and saves ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars during extreme heat, and in winter, solar adds reliability to our grid."
"Regional collaboration on energy procurement is essential for advancing efforts to diversify and strengthen Rhode Island's and the region's energy system," said Acting Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources Commissioner Chris Kearns. "The selected project will help further the state's energy and climate emission reduction goals."
"No single state can address New England's energy challenges alone," said President of Rhode Island Energy Greg Cornett. "This collaboration demonstrates how regional partnerships can deliver practical solutions that expand electricity supply, strengthen grid reliability, and provide customers with access to competitively sourced clean energy. We're pleased to work alongside our neighboring states to advance projects that will benefit Rhode Island Energy customers and the broader New England region for years to come."
"We congratulate Connecticut DEEP and the partnering New England states on their continued commitment to carbon-free energy projects," said Glenvale Solar CEO Aiden Foley. "The collaborative approach will benefit ratepayers and host communities, while supporting the reliability of our energy system in the coming years."
"We're pleased that our Saco Solar project was selected through this process and appreciate the collaboration between Massachusetts and Connecticut in advancing clean energy solutions in New England," said Greenskies CEO Vijay Singh. "This project reflects Greenskies' commitment to delivering reliable, cost-effective renewable energy that supports regional energy goals and creates long-term value for customers and communities."
The projects were selected pursuant to a February 11, 2026, Requests for Proposals (RFP) from DEEP seeking cost-effective zero-carbon resources to support an affordable and reliable electricity supply while advancing Connecticut's greenhouse gas reduction requirements and broader energy and environmental goals. The RFP was conducted in coordination with Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont to maximize savings and reliability benefits to ratepayers by sharing costs between states and ensuring procurement of affordable and reliable new zero-carbon electricity. All selected projects must begin delivering electricity by the end of 2032, with project schedules designed, where applicable, to meet eligibility deadlines for federal tax credits and other federal support. DEEP is still evaluating the nuclear proposals submitted in response to this RFP and will make an announcement about those projects at a later date.
The selected projects and state shares are:
Connecticut
* Keene Meadow Solar Station, Glenvale Solar - Keene, NH - 30 MW
* West Baldwin Solar Station, Glenvale Solar - Baldwin, ME - 17 MW
* Emery Meadow Solar Station, Glenvale Solar - Buxton, ME - 16.4 MW
Rhode Island
* Keene Meadow Solar Station, Glenvale Solar - Keene, NH - 20 MW
Massachusetts
* Saco Solar-Saco, Greenskies - ME - 19 MW
Connecticut and Rhode Island selected 30 MW and 20 MW, respectively, from the 50 MW Keene Meadow Solar Station. Combined, the four solar projects represent 102.4 MW of new solar generation. The portfolio is expected to produce approximately 190,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year, and Connecticut's share is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the annual usage of more than 22,000 residential homes.
The selected projects are aligned with DEEP's Procurement Plan Update , released on September 17, 2026 as part of its Integrated Resources Plan (IRP), that provides an updated procurement schedule for energy resources needed to meet the state's energy policy goals and to account for any contingencies or changed circumstances from the last IRP analysis. With significant changes in the energy markets since the 2022 Procurement Plan Update, including increasing concerns for energy affordability and growing electric demand, DEEP recognizes the need to continue to procure cost-effective energy resources, including in collaboration with other New England states, to save Connecticut ratepayers money while meeting the state's energy needs and policy goals, including electric reliability, fuel diversity, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
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Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/connecticut-and-new-england-state-partners-announce-over-100-mw-of-clean-energy-selections
Commerce Awards $475,000 to Help Eight Local Governments Speed Up Housing Permits
OLYMPIA, Washington, Sept. 25 -- The Washington State Department of Commerce issued the following news:
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Commerce awards $475,000 to help eight local governments speed up housing permits
September 24, 2026
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OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Department of Commerce today announced $475,000 for eight local governments to speed up the review of residential building permits. The grants pay for new permitting software, digital application systems and AI tools that check whether an application is complete before it's submitted.
Demand far exceeded the resources available. Commerce received 60 applications
... Show Full Article
OLYMPIA, Washington, Sept. 25 -- The Washington State Department of Commerce issued the following news:
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Commerce awards $475,000 to help eight local governments speed up housing permits
September 24, 2026
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OLYMPIA, Wash. - The Department of Commerce today announced $475,000 for eight local governments to speed up the review of residential building permits. The grants pay for new permitting software, digital application systems and AI tools that check whether an application is complete before it's submitted.
Demand far exceeded the resources available. Commerce received 60 applicationsrequesting $3.7 million total and was able to fund eight awards.
"We urgently need more housing, and we need to make it easier to build," said Commerce Interim Director Sarah Clifthorne. "These grants will help communities speed up permitting review and help get more homes built."
Grant recipients
Pierce County - $70,000
Snohomish County Health Department - $70,000
City of Tacoma - $70,000
City of Bellevue - $70,000
City of Lacey - $70,000
City of Ridgefield - $70,000
City of Tumwater - $35,000
City of Yakima - $20,000
A common bottleneck
Permit delays are a known bottleneck in housing production. Incomplete applications, repeated rounds of corrections and outdated software can add weeks or months to the process.
"Right now, one in four residential permit applications arrives incomplete, our inspection scheduling still runs on voicemail, and critical permit records are scattered across paper files and multiple systems," said Vanessa Dolbee, Lacey's director of community and economic development. "This grant could mean fewer resubmittals, shorter wait times and a much clearer path from application to permit."
The eight grants announced today target those steps directly.
Lacey and Tumwater will move to modern digital permitting platforms that let applicants apply, track and pay for permits online.
"This support transforms our permitting process into an engine for local growth, moving builders from application to construction with predictability and speed," said Matt Ames, IT project manager for the City of Tumwater.
Bellevue will launch applicant-facing tools that review uploaded documents and flag missing or inconsistent information before an application is submitted.
"This grant will support the City of Bellevue's implementation of AI tools that will help permit applicants get the right information early in the process and submit fully prepared applications, reducing delays and enabling a faster, more predictable permitting experience," said Jake Hesselgesser, Bellevue's acting director for development services.
Other awardees will audit local development regulations, upgrade or replace aging permitting software, and assess where their permit reviews slow down. The Snohomish County Health Department, which reviews septic systems for new homes outside sewer service areas, will automate the transfer of application data from the county planning department so reviews can start sooner.
Part of a broader push for housing
Washington needs to add more than 1 million homes by 2044 to keep pace with expected population growth, according to Commerce projections. These grants are part of Commerce's broader work to speed up housing production. Commerce awarded similar grants in 2024.
Through the Washington Accelerator for Residential Production, Commerce is bringing together practitioners and experts to recommend state actions that reduce costs and shorten timelines for new housing. Commerce is also developing guidance to help local governments offer permit-ready plans, pre-approved home designs that can move through permitting faster.
For more information, visit the Local Project Review webpage (https://www.commerce.wa.gov/growth-management/gma-topics/local-project-review/).
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Original text here: https://www.commerce.wa.gov/commerce-awards-475000-to-help-eight-local-governments-speed-up-housing-permits/
