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May 23, 2022
Highlights:
The Senate and the House Appropriations Committees have been holding numerous hearings related to the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. EESI's recent briefing series, Agencies in Action, explored the longstanding federal programs delivering a host of climate, environmental, economic, and social benefits nationwide. If you missed any of the briefings in that series, highlights and recordings can be found here.
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on addressing climate change at U.S. airports. EESI’s aviation web page has a whole suite of materials on reducing the climate impacts of aviation, including sustainable aviation fuel.
Congressional Round-Up:
May 20, 2022
Senate
There was no environmental or energy activity in the Senate on May 20, 2022.
House
H.R.7861
To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate certain limitations with respect to pre-production plastic pellet pollution, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (Introduced 05/20/2022) Cosponsors: (4)
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 05/20/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 19, 2022
Latest Committee Action
S.4266
A bill to amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to increase funding for stormwater management for Atlanta, Georgia, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: Senate - Environment and Public Works
Latest Action: Senate - 05/19/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S.4274
A bill to improve the Federal effort to reduce wildland fire risks, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (8)
Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate - 05/19/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S.4279
A bill to increase efficiency and conservation in public water systems, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
S.4280
A bill to require the Secretary of Energy to remove carbon dioxide directly from ambient air or seawater, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate - 05/19/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R.7663
Great Lakes Agricultural Stewardship Act
Sponsor: Rep. Walberg, Tim [R-MI-7] (Introduced 05/03/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 05/19/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
H.R.7836
To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to facilitate community action to address repetitively flooded areas, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Financial Services
Latest Action: House - 05/19/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services
H.R.7842
To amend the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to expand opportunities for families living in areas of high flood risk to access Federal assistance for voluntary relocation, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Financial Services; Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 05/19/2022 Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker
H.R.7847
To increase efficiency and conservation in public water systems, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 05/19/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R.7848
To promote meeting domestic energy needs with domestic energy production, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Latest Action: House - 05/19/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R.7849
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against tax for the purchase of certain adaptive gear required to prevent the entanglement of Right Whales.
Sponsor: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (Introduced 05/19/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: House - Ways and Means
Latest Action: House - 05/19/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Passed House
H.R.7688
Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act
Sponsor: Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8] (Introduced 05/06/2022) Cosponsors: (16)
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce; Education and Labor
Latest Action: Senate - 05/19/2022 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 373.
May 18, 2022
S.2361
Green Retrofits Act
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI] (Introduced 07/15/2021) Cosponsors: (1)
Committees: Senate - Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Latest Action: Senate - 05/18/2022 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
S.2370
Zero-Emission Homes Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (Introduced 07/15/2021) Cosponsors: (14)
S.2616
Livable Communities Act of 2021
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] (Introduced 08/05/2021) Cosponsors: (7)
S.3140
Clean Energy for All Homes Act
Sponsor: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA] (Introduced 11/02/2021) Cosponsors: (14)
Committees: Senate - Finance
S.4244
A bill to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution in commerce of commercial asbestos and mixtures and articles containing commercial asbestos, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (Introduced 05/18/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: Senate - 05/18/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S.4245
A bill to impose a moratorium on large agribusiness, food and beverage manufacturing, and grocery retail mergers.
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (Introduced 05/18/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: Senate - Judiciary
Latest Action: Senate - 05/18/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S.4248
A bill to enhance pipeline safety and oil spill preparedness and response, particularly in the Great Lakes Basin, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI] (Introduced 05/18/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: Senate - 05/18/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Committee Hearings
APPROPRIATIONS: EPA
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies concluded a hearing to examine proposed budget estimates and justification for fiscal year 2023 for the Environmental Protection Agency, after receiving testimony from Michael S. Regan, Administrator, and David Bloom, Chief Financial Officer, both of the Environmental Protection Agency.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs: Committee concluded a hearing to examine addressing climate change with energy-efficient and resilient housing, including S. 2361, to reauthorize the budget-neutral demonstration program for energy and water conservation at multifamily residential units, to establish a green retrofit program, S. 3140, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make the credit for residential energy efficient property refundable, S. 2370, to require the Secretary of Energy to provide rebates for the installation of zero-emission technologies in single-family homes and multifamily buildings, S. 1768, to make grants to support online training of residential contractors and rebates for the energy efficiency upgrades of homes and multifamily buildings, and S. 2616, to create livable communities through coordinated public investment and streamlined requirements, after receiving testimony from Ruth Ann Norton, Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, Baltimore, Maryland; and Katie Tubb, The Heritage Foundation, and Krista Egger, Enterprise Community Partners, both of Washington, D.C.
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE BUDGET
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the President's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2023 for the Fish and Wildlife Service, after receiving testimony from Martha Williams, Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior.
H.R.7810
To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution in commerce of commercial asbestos and mixtures and articles containing commercial asbestos, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (Introduced 05/18/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: House - 05/18/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R.7812
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to establish a floriculture and nursery plant health initiative, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Kahele, Kaiali'i [D-HI-2] (Introduced 05/18/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 05/18/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
H.R.7813
To amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to establish a cacao tree health initiative, and for other purposes.
H.R.7816
To prohibit fetal remains in publicly owned water systems, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3] (Introduced 05/18/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
H.R.7827
To impose a moratorium on large agribusiness, food and beverage manufacturing, and grocery retail mergers.
Sponsor: Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (Introduced 05/18/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Committees: House - Agriculture; Judiciary
Latest Action: House - 05/18/2022 Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee concluded a markup on the Budget Views and Estimates Letter of the Committee on Agriculture for the agencies and programs under the jurisdiction of the Committee for Fiscal Year 2023; H.R. 7764, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide additional payments under the environmental quality incentives program for implementation of a nutrient management practice, and for other purposes; H.R. 2518, the ``Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment Act''; H.R. 2606, the ``Sponsoring USDA Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions Act of 2021''; H.R. 4140, the ``Butcher Block Act''; H.R. 7675, to amend the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 to establish an Agricultural and Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response Task Force, and for other purposes; H.R. 7606, the ``Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022''; H.R. 7763, to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to support and incentivize domestic activities to address fertilizer shortages and deficiencies, diversity fertilizer sources, and reduce depending on foreign sources for fertilizer, and other purposes; and H.R. 7765, the ``American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act of 2022''. Budget Views And Estimates were approved. H.R. 7764, H.R. 2518, and H.R. 2606 were ordered reported, without amendment. H.R. 4140, H.R. 7675, and H.R. 7606 were ordered reported, as amended.
APPROPRIATIONS--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Committee on Appropriations: Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies held a budget hearing on the National Park Service. Testimony was heard from Jessica Bowron, Comptroller, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; and Charles F. Sams III, Director, National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
May 17, 2022
S.4228
A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior to immediately resume oil and gas lease sales, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (6)
Latest Action: Senate - 05/17/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.4229
A bill to empower States to manage the development and production of oil and gas on available Federal land, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (5)
S.4231
A bill to support water infrastructure in Reclamation States, and other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (2)
S.4232
A bill to address the recovery of certain costs with respect to certain Reclamation facilities in the Colorado River Basin, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
S.4233
A to bill amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to provide for critical maintenance and repair of certain Bureau of Reclamation reserved or transferred works, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
S.4236
A bill to provide for a national water data framework, to provide for the water security of the Rio Grande Basin, to reauthorize irrigation infrastructure grants, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
S.4237
A bill to establish and maintain a coordinated program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that improves wildfire, fire weather, fire risk, and smoke related forecasting, detection, modeling, observations, and service delivery, and to address growing needs in the wildland-urban interface, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA] (Introduced 05/17/2022)
U.S.-CANADA ENERGY AND MINERAL PARTNERSHIP
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine ways to strengthen the energy and mineral partnership between the U.S. and Canada to address energy security and climate objectives, after receiving testimony from Jason Kenney, Premier, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Nathalie Camden, Associate Deputy Minister for Mines, Quebec, Canada; and Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and Francis Bradley, Electricity Canada, both of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Sponsor: Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8] (Introduced 05/06/2022) Cosponsors: (13)
Latest Action: House - 05/17/2022 Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1124 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 350, H.R. 7688 and H.R. 7790. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 350, H.R. 7688, and H.R. 7790.
H.R.7776
To provide for improvements to the rivers and harbors of the United States, to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (Introduced 05/16/2022) Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Action: House - 05/17/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
H.R.7789
To require the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to establish a working group relating to best practices and Federal guidance for animals in emergencies and disasters, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (Introduced 05/16/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: House - 05/17/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
H.R.7792
To provide for a national water data framework, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Stansbury, Melanie Ann [D-NM-1] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (13)
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Transportation and Infrastructure; Agriculture; Energy and Commerce; Science, Space, and Technology; Armed Services
Latest Action: House - 05/17/2022 Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology, and Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker...
H.R.7793
To provide for the water security of the Rio Grande Basin, to reauthorize irrigation infrastructure grants, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Stansbury, Melanie Ann [D-NM-1] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (4)
Latest Action: House - 05/17/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R.7797
To direct the Secretary of the Army to carry out a study relating to projects to restore the Florida Central Gulf Coastal Shellfish and Seagrass habitat, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: House - 05/17/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R.7801
To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to allow the Secretary of Commerce to establish a Coastal and Estuarine Resilience and Restoration Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49] (Introduced 05/17/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 EPA BUDGET
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change held a hearing entitled ``The Fiscal Year 2023 EPA Budget''. Testimony was heard from Michael S. Regan, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
PREPARING FOR TAKE-OFF: EXAMINING EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AT U.S. AIRPORTS
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing entitled ``Preparing for Take-Off: Examining Efforts to Address Climate Change at U.S. Airports''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
May 16, 2022
S.4227
A bill to streamline the oil and gas permitting process and to recognize fee ownership for certain oil and gas drilling or spacing units, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND] (Introduced 05/16/2022) Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Action: Senate - 05/16/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Became Law
H.R.6023
Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-16] (Introduced 11/18/2021) Cosponsors: (29)
Committees: House - Oversight and Reform; Natural Resources; Budget
Committee Report: H. Rept. 117-301
Latest Action: 05/16/2022 Became Public Law No: 117-127.
H.R.7771
To require the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study analyzing the cost to permit applicants and permit holders of complying with sections 402 and 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7] (Introduced 05/13/2022) Cosponsors: (0)
Latest Action: House - 05/16/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
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