Kelly, Lummis Introduce Bipartisan SMART Infrastructure Act to Modernize Federal Permitting Through Digital Technology
Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) introduced the Streamlining Modeling for Advanced, Rapid Transportation (SMART) Infrastructure Act of 2025, landmark legislation that revolutionizes how America plans and permits critical transportation infrastructure by harnessing cutting-edge digital twin technology and creating a unified electronic permitting system.
“Arizonans feel it when transportation projects get stuck in years-long reviews because it slows down safety improvements, adds to traffic, and hurts local economies,” said Kelly. “Using better digital tools to modernize how these projects are reviewed will mean safer roads, less congestion, and faster delivery of the infrastructure improvements communities need.”
“For too long, our infrastructure projects have been delayed by archaic processes that waste taxpayer dollars and keep critical projects stuck in bureaucratic limbo,” said Lummis. “The SMART Infrastructure Act brings our permitting system into the 21st century by leveraging proven digital technologies that will cut red tape, increase transparency, and deliver better outcomes for communities.”
See what stakeholders are saying in support of the legislation:
“The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) commends Senator Lummis and Senator Kelly for their efforts to advance E-NEPA implementation at federal agencies. Effective integration of digital tools and processes in infrastructure project delivery is crucial for improving efficiency, accuracy, collaboration, and sustainability. The guidelines, pilot projects, and agency coordination provided in the bill will equip our public sector partners to leverage digital models and modernize the permitting process,” said the American Council of Engineering Companies.
“The Business Software Alliance commends Senators Cynthia Lummis and Mark Kelly for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the SMART Act. This legislation helps advance AI adoption by modernizing America’s infrastructure permitting process and helping businesses better harness cutting-edge engineering and construction software,” said the Business Software Alliance.
Key provisions of the legislation include:
- Digital Twin Technology Integration: Within 18 months, the Department of Transportation must issue guidelines enabling the use of advanced 3D digital modeling in the permitting process. This technology provides clear, objective data about project impacts, replacing endless speculation and litigation.
- Pilot Program: A pilot program will launch within 120 days across at least 10 infrastructure projects to prove that modern technology can deliver results faster and cheaper.
- National e-NEPA Portal: Within two years, DOT will create a single, centralized platform for submitting, reviewing, and tracking e-NEPA documents, to replace the current fragmented system.
- Accelerated Permitting: The legislation requires the Department of Transportation to use all available existing methods to achieve at least a 25% reduction in review timelines for projects. That means projects get permitted faster, construction jobs are created sooner, and communities get the infrastructure they’ve been waiting years to receive.
Read the full bill text here.
