Ask AI
Bill115th CongressFiled Jun 23, 2017Energy
H.R. 3043

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary passed house amended (Nov 8, 2017)

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

(Sec.2)This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license.

The bill expands the definition of "renewable energy" to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.

(Sec.3)The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact.

FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.

The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects.

(Sec.5)The Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior must consider the threat of invasive species when prescribing a fishway. (Fishways are structures placed on or around constructed barriers to give fish the opportunity to migrate.)

(Sec.6) FERC may examine the license for any project that is located in an area that was declared to be a disaster area in 2017.

What just happenedNov 9, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Who’s behind it

Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5](R-WA)Sponsor
Read on Congress.gov
3committees35actions4amendments4related bills10subjects
  1. Nov 9, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  2. Nov 8, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Nov 8, 2017FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)

  4. Nov 8, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620).(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)

  5. Nov 8, 2017FloorH34400

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

  6. Nov 8, 2017FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  7. Nov 8, 2017FloorH32600

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3043.

  8. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

  9. Nov 8, 2017FloorH32050

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

  10. Nov 8, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8641-8642)

  11. Nov 8, 2017FloorH32700

    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3043 as unfinished business.

  12. Nov 8, 2017FloorH32341

    On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

  13. Nov 8, 2017FloorH32340

    Mr. Upton moved that the Committee rise.

  14. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

  15. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rush amendment No. 4.

  16. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jenkins (WV) amendment No. 3.

  17. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Babin amendment No. 2.

  18. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grothman amendment No. 1.

  19. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3043.

  20. Nov 8, 2017FloorH32400

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.

  21. Nov 8, 2017FloorH32020

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 607 and Rule XVIII.

  22. Nov 8, 2017FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

  23. Nov 8, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 607. (consideration: CR H8614-8641)

  24. Nov 6, 2017FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 607 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

  25. Oct 31, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 277.

  26. Oct 31, 2017DischargeH12300

    Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  27. Oct 31, 2017Committee5500

    Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  28. Oct 31, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  29. Oct 31, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  30. Jun 28, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  31. Jun 28, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  32. Jun 23, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.

    Oversight and Accountability Committee
  33. Jun 23, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  34. Jun 23, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  35. Jun 23, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedNov 8, 201736

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

(Sec.2)This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license.

The bill expands the definition of "renewable energy" to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.

(Sec.3)The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact.

FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.

The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects.

(Sec.5)The Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior must consider the threat of invasive species when prescribing a fishway. (Fishways are structures placed on or around constructed barriers to give fish the opportunity to migrate.)

(Sec.6) FERC may examine the license for any project that is located in an area that was declared to be a disaster area in 2017.

Reported to House amended, Part IOct 31, 201718

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license.

The bill expands the definition of "renewable energy" to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.

The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact.

FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.

The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects.

Introduced in HouseJun 23, 2017

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license, license amendment, or exemption.

The bill expands the definition of "renewable energy" to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.

The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact.

FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.

The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects.

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017 — Informed