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January 21, 2020
From January 7, 2020 to January 20, 2020, 46 bills were referred to committee to address environmental and energy issues. In addition to the introduction of environmentally relevant legislation, Senate passed four bills and the House passed one bill
Highlights
During this time period, Congress focused on natural resources and conservation. H.R.925 would reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act through 2021, S.3202 would discourage oil and gas leasing of public land, and S.1982 would increase efforts to combat marine debris.
Energy conservation was also a common theme. H.R.5615 would establish a grant program for operation of energy conservation programs using residential tree-planning, and H.R.5650 would establish a Federal Energy Management Program and improve energy and water performance requirements for Federal buildings.
Be sure to read through the rest of the round-up. EESI has curated bills most relevant to energy, environment, and climate topics. The bill list below is drawn directly from congress.gov
Bills Referred to Committee:
S.3171 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (Introduced 01/09/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: Senate - Environment and Public Works
S.3175 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend SAFETEA-LU to improve the Intelligent Transportation System Program Advisory Committee, to require information and resources for the development of local smart communities, to help establish a 21st century transportation workforce, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 01/09/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation
S.3156 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish the January 8th National Memorial in Tucson, Arizona, as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
S.3157 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to reinstate the financing for the Hazardous Substance Superfund, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Finance
S.3160 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act to modify the payment periods of loans from State revolving funds under those Acts, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R. 535. - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
An act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] (Introduced 01/14/2010) Cosponsors: (66)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure | Senate - Environment and Public Works
S. 3186 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend title 40, United States Code, to modify the definition of Appalachian region.
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] (Introduced 01/14/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
S. 3196. - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to conserve global bear populations by prohibiting the importation, exportation, and interstate trade of bear viscera and items, products, or substances containing, or labeled or advertised as containing, bear viscera, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] (Introduced 01/15/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
S. 3202 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to discourage speculative oil and gas leasing and to promote enhanced multiple use management of public land and National Forest System land, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
S. 3204 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to revise the policy of the Agency to address the threats of climate change, to include considerations of climate change in the strategic plan of the Agency, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
S. 3211 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to modify certain allotments under that Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
S. 3214 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 with respect to preagreement costs of emergency watershed protection measures, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Bills Passed:
H.R.263 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To rename the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge as the Congressman Lester Wolff Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Sponsor: Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3] (Introduced 01/04/2019) Cosponsors: (26)
Committees: House - Natural Resources | Senate - Environment and Public Works
Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-228
H.R.925 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
An Act to improve protections for wildlife, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] (Introduced 01/30/2019) Cosponsors: (34)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-284
S.1982 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Save Our Seas 2.0 Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK] (Introduced 06/26/2019) Cosponsors: (19)
H.R. 434 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Emancipation National Historic Trail Study Act
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18] (Introduced 01/10/2019) Cosponsors: (55)
Committees: House - Natural Resources | Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Committee Meetings:
BUSINESS MEETING
Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee announced the following subcommittee assignments for the 116th Congress: Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade: Senators Boozman (Chair), McConnell, Hoeven, Hyde-Smith, Grassley, Loeffler, Brown, Bennet, Gillibrand, Smith, and Durbin. Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy: Senators Ernst (Chair), McConnell, Hoeven, Braun, Thune, Fischer, Smith, Brown, Klobuchar, Bennet, and Durbin. Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, and Natural Resources: Senators Braun (Chair), Boozman, Hyde-Smith, Grassley, Thune, Loeffler, Bennet, Leahy, Klobuchar, Casey, and Durbin. Subcommittee on Nutrition, Agricultural Research, and Specialty Crops: Senators Fischer (Chair), McConnell, Boozman, Hoeven, Ernst, Thune, Casey, Leahy, Brown, Klobuchar, and Gillibrand. Subcommittee on Livestock, Marketing, and Agriculture Security: Senators Hyde-Smith (Chair), Ernst, Braun, Grassley, Fischer, Loeffler, Gillibrand, Leahy, Klobuchar, Casey, and Smith. Senators Roberts and Stabenow are ex-officio members of each subcommittee.
Date of Meeting: January 15, 2020
NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION AND MODERNIZATION ACT
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine an update on implementation of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, after receiving testimony from Margaret Doane, Executive Director for Operations, and Ben Ficks, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, both of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
H.R. 5579 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to provide for improved precision in the listing, delisting, and downlisting of endangered species and potentially endangered species.
Sponsor: Rep. Gianforte, Greg [R-MT-At Large] (Introduced 01/10/2020) Cosponsors: (6)
H.R. 5580 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to codify certain rules issued by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce relating to endangered species and threatened species.
Sponsor: Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-4] (Introduced 01/10/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
H.R.5552 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to affirm that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act's prohibition on the unauthorized take or killing of migratory birds includes incidental take by commercial activities, and to direct the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to regulate such incidental take, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (18)
H.R.5553 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To prohibit transportation by rail of crude oil with a Ried vapor pressure of more than 9.5 pounds per square inch, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
H.R.5554 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to ensure that vehicles in Federal fleets comply with certain low greenhouse gas emission standards, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform; Energy and Commerce
H.R.5557 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To codify a final rule of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to endangered and threatened species, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Buck, Ken [R-CO-4] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (6)
H.R.5558 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To promote American leadership in vehicle manufacturing, job creation, improved air quality, and climate protection through domestic manufacturing of low- and zero-emission vehicles and development of electric vehicle charging networks, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
H.R.5559 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish the January 8th National Memorial in Tucson, Arizona, as an affiliated area of the National Park System, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-2] (Introduced 01/08/2020) Cosponsors: (8)
H.R.5541 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Tribal Power Act
Sponsor: Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1] (Introduced 01/07/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Energy and Commerce
H.R.5542 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
To require the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program for States to provide incentives to natural gas distribution companies for the improvement of natural gas distribution systems, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11] (Introduced 01/07/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R.5544 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
American Innovation and Manufacturing Leadership Act of 2020
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (Introduced 01/07/2020) Cosponsors: (3)
H.R.5545 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
NO EXHAUST Act of 2020
Sponsor: Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1] (Introduced 01/07/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Oversight and Reform
H.R.5548 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Fishery Failures: Urgently Needed Disaster Declarations Act
Sponsor: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (Introduced 01/07/2020) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Ways and Means
H.R.5550 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
PFAS Safe Disposal Act
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] (Introduced 01/07/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R. 5585. - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to require review of the economic cost of adding a species to the list of endangered species or threatened species, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22] (Introduced 01/13/2020) Cosponsors: (8)
H.R. 5588. - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of1973 to provide for consideration of the totality of conservation measures in determining the impact of proposed Federal agency action.
Sponsor: Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4] (Introduced 01/13/2020) Cosponsors: (9)
H.R. 5589. - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to establish an Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (Introduced 01/13/2020) Cosponsors: (11)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology; House Administration
H.R. 5591. - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to add requirements to the designation of areas as critical habitats, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Mike [R-LA-4] (Introduced 01/13/2020) Cosponsors: (6)
H.R. 5594. - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to provide for greater county and State consultation with regard to petitions under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8] (Introduced 01/13/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
S. 1982 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation | House - Transportation and Infrastructure; Natural Resources; Foreign Affairs; Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology; Agriculture
H.R. 5598 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to provide for the protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and interconnected Federal lands and waters, including Voyageurs National Park, within the Rainy River Watershed in the State of Minnesota,and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] (Introduced 01/14/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
H.R. 5601 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to protect private property rights and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor: Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5] (Introduced 01/14/202) Cosponsors: (6)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture
H. Res. 794 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A resolution supporting the designation of January 2020 as ``National One Health Awareness Month`` to promote awareness of organizations focused on public health, animal health, and environmental health collaboration throughout the United States and to recognize the critical contributions of those organizations to the future of the United States.
Sponsor: Rep. Schrader, Kurt [D-OR-5] (Introduced 01/14/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform
H. Res. 797 - 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A resolution encouraging the Environmental Protection Agency to maintain and strengthen requirements under the Clean Water Act and reverse ongoing administrative actions to weaken this landmark law and protections for United States waters.
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12] (Introduced 01/14/2020) Cosponsors: (74)
H.R. 5606.- 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to extend the withdrawal and reservation of certain public land in the State of Nevada for the continued use of the Nevada test and training range, to designate certain land in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor: Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4] (Introduced 01/15/2020) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Armed Services
H.R. 5615. - 116th Congress (2019-2020
A bill to establish a grant program to assist retail power providers with the establishment and operation of energy conservation programs using targeted residential tree-planting, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] (Introduced 01/15/2020) Cosponsors: (6)
H.R. 5625 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to authorize the imposition of sanctions with respect to significant actions that exacerbate climate change, to reinforce comprehensive efforts to limit global average temperature rise, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Oversight and Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Foreign Affairs; Judiciary; Financial Services; Oversight and Reform; Ways and Means
H.R. 5628 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Sponsor: Rep. Waltz, Michael [R-FL-6] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (1)
H.R. 5636 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to provide for the accurate reporting of fossil fuel extraction and emissions by entities with leases on public land, and for other purposes.
Sponsors: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
H.R. 5638 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the Endangered Species Act to prevent a species that is not native to the United States from being listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, to prohibit certain types of financial assistance, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (5)
H.R. 5649 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to direct the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to establish a grant program to fund research and development with respect to certain cellular phone applications, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
Committees: House - Science, Space, and Technology
H.R. 5650 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to amend the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to improve Federal energy and water performance requirements for Federal buildings and establish a Federal Energy Management Program.
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (2)
H. Res. 803 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A resolution recognizing the longstanding partnership between the United States and Australia to share critical firefighting resources during times of crisis.
Sponsor: Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-20] (Introduced 01/16/2020) Cosponsors: (81)
Committees: House - Foreign Affairs
H.R. 5653 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
A bill to prohibit Federal agencies from purchasing or leasing new vehicles that are not zero-emission vehicles, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] (Introduced 01/17/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
H.Res.779 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)
Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 535) to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to designate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.
Sponsor: Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5] (Introduced 01/07/2020) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Rules
Committee Reports: H. Rept. 116-366
PROMOTING AMERICAN INNOVATION AND JOBS: LEGISLATION TO PHASE DOWN HYDROFLUOROCARBONS
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing entitled ``Promoting American Innovation and Jobs: Legislation to Phase Down Hydrofluorocarbons''. Testimony was heard from Cynthia Newberg, Director, Stratospheric Protection Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs, Office of Air and Radiation, Environmental Protection Agency; and public witnesses.
Date of meeting: January 14, 2020
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held a hearing on H.R. 1834, the ``Defending Our National Marine Sanctuaries from Damaging Chemicals Act of 2019''; H.R. 2236, the ``Forage Fish Conservation Act''; H.R. 4679, the ``Climate-Ready Fisheries Act of 2019''; H.R. 4723, the ``Fish Act of 2019''; H.R. 5126, the ``Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2019''; and H.R. 5548, the ``Fishery Failures: Urgently Needed Disaster Declarations Act''. Testimony was heard from Representatives Rooney of Florida, Dingell, and Huffman; Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet, U.S. Navy (Ret.), Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Deputy NOAA Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and public witnesses.
THE PATH TO A CARBON-FREE MARITIME INDUSTRY: INVESTMENTS AND INNOVATION
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation held a hearing entitled ``The Path to a Carbon-Free Maritime Industry: Investments and Innovation''. Testimony was heard from Joshua Berger, Governor's Maritime Sector Lead, Washington Department of Commerce; and public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee held a markup on H.R. 306, the ``Kettle Creek Battlefield Study Act''; H.R. 496, the ``Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2019''; H.R. 895, the ``Tribal School Federal Insurance Parity Act''; H.R. 1702, the ``Free Veterans from Fees Act''; H.R. 2640, the ``Buffalo Tract Protection Act''; H.R. 3068, the ``Offshore Wind Jobs and Opportunity Act''; H.R. 3160, the ``Blackwater Trading Post Land Transfer Act''; H.R. 3465, the ``Fallen Journalists Memorial Act of 2019''; H.R. 4248, the ``Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act Amendments of 2019''; and H.R. 5552, the ``Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2020''. H.R. 306, H.R. 1702, H.R. 2640, H.R. 3068, H.R. 3465, and H.R. 5552 were ordered reported, as amended. H.R. 496, H.R. 895, H.R. 3160, and H.R. 4248 were ordered reported, without amendment.
Date of meeting: January 15, 2020
AN UPDATE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS: FROM SCIENCE TO SOLUTIONS
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``An Update on the Climate Crisis: From Science to Solutions''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S OFFICE OF SCIENCE: EXPLORING THE NEXT FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: Subcommittee on Energy held a hearing entitled ``The Department of Energy's Office of Science: Exploring the Next Frontiers in Energy Research and Scientific Discovery''. Testimony was heard from Chris Fall, Director, Office of Science, Department of Energy.
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