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September 19, 2022
Highlights:
Last week, the bipartisan Strategic EV Management Act of 2022 (S. 4057) passed the Senate. The bill would mandate the development of a “comprehensive, strategic plan for federal electric vehicle battery management.”
The Wildfire Recovery Act (H.R. 1066) passed the House. The bill would allow for increased federal cost-sharing of Fire Management Assistance Grants. To learn more about wildfire policy, check out EESI’s briefing, Living with Climate Change: Wildfires.
The week also saw several hearings on environmental topics. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing,“Fueling the Climate Crisis: Examining Big Oil’s Prices, Profits, and Pledges,” while the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing,“Soil Health Practices and Programs that Support Regenerative Agriculture.” To learn more about regenerative agriculture, check out EESI’s Pathways to Regenerative Agriculture briefing.
September 16, 2022
Senate
There was no environment or energy-related action in the Senate.
House
Committee Action
H.R.8849
To prohibit the Corps of Engineers from issuing a permit for the Delta Conveyance Project, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-10]
Committees: House - Transportation and Infrastructure
Latest Action: House - 09/16/2022 Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
September 15, 2022
Passed Senate
S.4057
Strategic EV Management Act of 2022
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Committees: Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee Meetings: 05/25/22 11:00AM
Committee Reports: S. Rept. 117-139
Latest Action: Senate - 09/15/2022 Message on Senate action sent to the House.
S.4877
A bill to amend Public Law 91-378 to authorize activities relating to Civilian Conservation Centers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Committees: Senate - Energy and Natural Resources
Latest Action: Senate - 09/15/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.Res.765
A resolution designating October 8, 2022, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day".
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Committees: Senate - Judiciary
Latest Action: Senate - 09/15/2022 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
S.4860
A bill to provide for the establishment of a grazing management program on Federal land in Malheur County, Oregon, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
S.4864
A bill to amend the Natural Gas Act to bolster fairness and transparency in the consideration of interstate natural gas pipeline permits, to provide for greater public input opportunities in the natural gas pipeline permitting process, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Committees: Senate - Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Latest Action: Senate - 09/15/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
S.4870
A bill to approve the settlement of the water right claims of the Tule River Tribe, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Committees: Senate - Indian Affairs
Latest Action: Senate - 09/15/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
Committee Meetings
FUSION ENERGY
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the Federal government's role in supporting the commercialization of fusion energy, after receiving testimony from Scott C. Hsu, Lead Fusion Coordinator, Office of the Undersecretary for Science and Innovation, Department of Energy; Steven Cowley, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey; Tim Luce, ITER Organization, St. Paul lex Durance Cedex, France; and Bob Mumgaard, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
H.Res.1358
Expressing support for the designation of the week of September 17 through September 24, 2022, as "National Estuaries Week".
Sponsor: Rep. Posey, Bill [R-FL-8]
Committees: House - Natural Resources
Latest Action: House - 09/15/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R.8847
To amend the Natural Gas Act to bolster fairness and transparency in consideration of interstate natural gas pipelines, to provide for greater public input opportunities, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Committees: House - Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: House - 09/15/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
A 2022 REVIEW OF THE FARM BILL: BROADBAND
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Broadband''. Testimony was heard from Xochitl Torres Small, Under Secretary for Rural Development, Department of Agriculture; and public witnesses.
THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND RECOVERY FROM THE COVID–19 PANDEMIC: IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S. POLICY
Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on International Development, International Organizations, and Global Corporate Social Impact held a hearing entitled ``The Sustainable Development Goals and Recovery from the COVID–19 Pandemic: Implications for U.S. Policy''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Full Committee began a markup on H. Res. 1247, of inquiry directing the Secretary of the Interior to transmit certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the 2023–2028 five-year program for offshore oil and gas leasing; H. Res. 1248, of inquiry directing the Secretary of the Interior to transmit certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the compliance with the obligations of the Mineral Leasing Act; H. Res. 1251, of inquiry directing the Secretary of Agriculture to transmit certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the mineral withdrawal within the Superior National Forest; H. Res. 1252, of inquiry directing the Secretary of the Interior to transmit certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the mineral withdrawal within the Superior National Forest; and H. Res. 1253, of inquiry directing the Secretary of the Interior to transmit certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the actions of the Department of the Interior's Departmental Ethics Office.
FUELING THE CLIMATE CRISIS: EXAMINING BIG OIL'S PRICES, PROFITS, AND PLEDGES
Committee on Oversight and Reform: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Fueling the Climate Crisis: Examining Big Oil's Prices, Profits, and Pledges''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
September 14, 2022
Latest Action: Senate - 09/14/2022 Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote
S.4850
A bill to amend Public Law 117-169 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from using funds for methane monitoring to be used to monitor emissions of methane from livestock, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Committees: Senate - Environment and Public Works
Latest Action: Senate - 09/14/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
NOMINATION
Committee on Environment and Public Works: Committee concluded a hearing to examine the nomination of Shailen P. Bhatt, of Michigan, to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, after the nominee, who was introduced by Senator Hickenlooper, testified and answered questions in her own behalf.
Passed House
H.R.1066
Wildfire Recovery Act
Sponsor: Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Latest Action:Senate - 09/14/2022 Received in the Senate.
Roll Call Votes: There has been 1 roll call vote
H.R.4819
National Nuclear University Research Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2021
Sponsor: Rep. Gonzalez, Anthony [R-OH-16]
Committees: House - Science, Space, and Technology
Latest Action: House - 09/14/2022 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 362.
H.R.8819
To provide employment protection and paid emergency leave to workers impacted by certain climate disasters, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Bush, Cori [D-MO-1]
Committees: House - Education and Labor
Latest Action: House - 09/14/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
SOIL HEALTH PRACTICES AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Committee on Agriculture: Full Committee held a hearing entitled ``Soil Health Practices and Programs that Support Regenerative Agriculture''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
Committee on Energy and Commerce: Subcommittee on Health held a markup on H.R. 3173, the ``Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2021''; H.R. 3655, the ``Vaccine Injury Compensation Modernization Act of 2021''; H.R. 5141, the ``Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act''; H.R. 8163, the ``Improving Trauma Systems and Emergency Care Act''; and H.R. 6737, the ``Flint Registry Reauthorization Act''. H.R. 3173, H.R. 3655, H.R. 5141, H.R. 8163, and H.R. 6737 were forwarded to the full Committee, as amended.
THE ROLE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRMS IN PREVENTING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee Oversight and Investigations held a hearing entitled ``The Role of Public Relations Firms in Preventing Action on Climate Change''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on H.R. 8108, the ``Advancing Tribal Parity on Public Land Act''; H.R. 8109, the ``Tribal Cultural Areas Protection Act''; and H.R. 8719, the ``Great Bend of the Gila Conservation Act''. Testimony was heard from Chairman Grijalva; Brian Newland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
Committee on Natural Resources: Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States held a hearing on H.R. 6032, the ``Katimiin and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act''; H.R. 6964, to authorize leases of up to 99 years for lands held in trust for the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation; H.R. 7581, the ``Yurok Lands Act of 2022''; H.R. 8115, the ``Recreation and Public Purposes Tribal Parity Act''; H.R. 8286, to take certain Federal land in the State of Washington into trust for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and for other purposes; H.R. 8380, the ``Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation Settlement Act of 2022''; and H.R. 8387, the ``Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act''. Testimony was heard from Chairman Kilmer, and Representatives Garcia, Huffman, Strickland, and Newhouse; Wizipan Garriott, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior; and public witnesses.
FREE SPEECH UNDER ATTACK (PART III): THE LEGAL ASSAULT ON ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Committee on Oversight and Reform: Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties held a hearing entitled ``Free Speech Under Attack (Part III): The Legal Assault on Environmental Activists and the First Amendment''. Testimony was heard from public witnesses.
September 13, 2022
S.4826
A bill to amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to modify the definition of the term "at-risk community"
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Committees: Senate - Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Latest Action: Senate - 09/13/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4577)
S.4837
A bill to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to establish within the Mount Hood National Forest in the State of Oregon Indian Treaty Resources Emphasis Zones, and for other purposes
Latest Action: Senate - 09/13/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S.4835
A bill to provide for the removal of small-diameter trees in fire hazard areas, and for other purposes
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Latest Action: House - 09/13/2022 Motion to reconsider laid on the table. Agreed to without objection.
H.R.8802
To require the Secretary of the Interior and the Chief of the Forest Service to align management of public lands and waters with the President's greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, and for other purposes
Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-3]
Committees: House - Natural Resources; Agriculture
Latest Action: House - 09/13/2022 Referred 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
H.R.8808
To acquire cobalt refining capacity in the United States, and for other purposes
Sponsor: Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19]
Committees: House - Financial Services
Latest Action: House - 09/13/2022 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services
September 12, 2022
S. 3092
FIRE Act
Sponsor: Sen. Alex Padilla [D-CA]
Latest Action: Senate - 09/12/2022 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 482.
S. 4819
A bill to establish a minimum temperature for thermostats at the headquarters of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Latest Action: Senate - 09/12/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
There was no environment or energy-related action in the House.
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