§5A-13-5. Options for Paper or Alternative Electronic Forms.

(a) Use of the Permitting Dashboard by a permit-holder or prospective permit-holder is not mandatory for any permit application submitted before July 1, 2027. There shall be no penalty or disadvantage applied to any permit-holder or prospective permit-holder who chooses to bypass the Permitting Dashboard before that date and work directly with the agency to obtain, complete, and return an application in paper form or through any pre-existing online application system operated by permitting agencies.

(b) On and after July 1, 2027, the Permitting Dashboard shall be the exclusive means of applying for a permit, as defined in §5A-13-2 of this code, except where an alternative means is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., or the West Virginia Human Rights Act, being §5-11-1 et seq. of this code.

(c) The refund requirement under §5A-13-4(c) through §5A-13-4(e) of this code shall only apply to applications submitted through the Permitting Dashboard.