H.R. 5672 — Reducing Unnecessary Slowdowns in Handling Act

This section establishes processing deadlines for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): (1) 90 calendar days after receipt for applications generally; and (2) 60 calendar days after receipt for applications relating to federal firearms licenses under 18 U.S.C. 923 (i.e., for manufacturers, importers, dealers, and collectors of firearms or ammunition).

This section establishes a quarterly reporting requirement for the Bureau, directing it to submit reports within 90 days after enactment and every 90 days thereafter to the House Committees on Oversight and Accountability and on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, and to make the reports publicly available on the Bureau's website. For each type of application processed during the prior 90-day period, the reports must include (1) the number of applications received, approved, denied, and pending; (2) processing times; (3) a summary of reasons for delays; and (4) a summary of reasons for denials.

This section directs the Bureau to (1) establish an appeals process for applicants to challenge application denials or compel processing of applications not compliant with section 2; (2) establish procedures to identify causes of noncompliance with section 2 and take corrective actions; and (3) implement the Act using existing salaries and expenses funds—without hiring additional personnel or acquiring new resources—by eliminating repetitive reviews, unnecessary administrative steps, and outdated or duplicative processes that hinder timely permit processing.

This section defines terms used in the Act: (1) application, as an application for a license, permit, authorization, or a form required by federal law to be submitted to the Bureau; (2) Bureau, as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and (3) easily accessible format, as a format for a report that is available to the general public and allows users to efficiently locate and read the report.