Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed an executive order Monday directing state agencies to overhaul their permitting and licensing processes, calling the move part of her broader Arkansas Forward initiative to cut costs and improve government efficiency.
The order requires each cabinet-level agency and board or commission that issues permits, licenses, certifications or other regulatory approvals to complete a comprehensive review of all such processes within 120 days. Agencies must then submit a written improvement plan to the governor within 180 days.
The order specifically names the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy and Environment, the Department of Labor and Licensing and the Department of Health…