Gov. Ned Lamont on Thursday signed an executive order intended to speed up the state’s processing of licenses, certifications and permits, including a new requirement to refund application fees if agencies miss prescribed deadlines.
The order directs state agencies to overhaul how residents and businesses apply for and renew credentials needed to operate, with an emphasis on faster response times and expanded digital services.
“This order sets specific standards that will let Connecticut residents and businesses know how long it will take for agencies to process their applications, and if that is not met they will get their money back,” Lamont said in a statement.
Under the order, each agency must submit a detailed report to the governor’s office listing every license, certification and permit it issues, how applications are accepted — such as by paper, email or online portal — and how many applications are received each year.
Agencies must also provide data on average processing times and propose a maximum number of days for completing each type of application.
After the reports are reviewed, the governor’s office will publish a statewide list setting firm deadlines for approval or denial of each license, permit and certification. Once those deadlines take effect, applicants whose paperwork is not processed on time may request a refund of their application fees from the responsible agency.
Administration officials said the goal is to make interactions with state government more predictable and less burdensome, particularly for small businesses that often depend on timely approvals to open or expand operations.
The executive order also calls for a review of the digital tools used by agencies and directs them to identify which processes could benefit from additional technology, including expanded online applications.
The initiative mirrors a program launched in Pennsylvania under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, which has drawn national attention for reducing backlogs and improving the delivery of digital government services.
Lamont, also a Democrat, has made modernization of state services a recurring priority since taking office. His administration has rolled out several “one-stop shop” websites, including business.ct.gov, jobs.ct.gov and health.ct.gov, and moved many transactions online that previously required in-person visits and paper forms.
Agencies have not yet announced when their reports will be due or when the refund policy will take effect, but the governor’s office said implementation will begin later this year after the reporting and review process is completed.
