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Bill114th CongressFiled Mar 26, 2015Energy
H.R. 1644

STREAM Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jan 12, 2016)

Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining Act or the STREAM Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to direct the Department of the Interior to make publicly available online and in the Federal Register, 90 days before publication, any draft, proposed, supplemental, final, or emergency rule, or any environmental analysis, economic assessment, policy, or guidance, and each scientific product upon which Interior has relied in developing the rule, the analysis, or the assessment.

A scientific product is any product that:

  • employs the scientific method for inventorying, monitoring, experimenting, studying, researching, or modeling purposes;
  • is relied upon by Interior in developing any rule, environmental analysis, economic assessment, policy, or guidance; and
  • is not protected under copyright laws.

For scientific products receiving federal funds Interior must also make publicly available the raw data used for them (any computational process or quantitative or qualitative data not protected by copyright or containing personally identifiable information, sensitive intellectual property, trade secrets, or business-sensitive information).

If Interior fails to make publicly available any scientific product for longer than six months, it must withdraw the rule, environmental analysis, or economic assessment policy or guidance. This requirement shall not apply if a delay in the publication of a rule will pose an imminent and severe threat to human life.

(Sec. 3) Interior shall arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for its Board on Earth Sciences and Resources to conduct a detailed, comprehensive study of the effectiveness of the "Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations Permanent Regulatory Program; Stream Buffer Zones and Fish, Wildlife, and Related Environmental Values" Final Rule in protecting perennial and intermittent streams through the use of stream buffer zones. The study shall include suggestions and recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the rule if it finds regulatory inefficiencies.

Appropriations for the study are authorized for FY2016-FY2017.

Until one year after publication of the Board's report to Congress, Interior may not issue any proposed or final regulations under the Act that relate either to stream buffer zones or to stream protection.

(Sec. 4) The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 is further amended to declare that nothing in it authorizes Interior to take any action that duplicates, implements, interprets, enforces, or determines compliance with specified mining, environmental, or fish and wildlife law.

What just happenedJan 19, 2016

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

Who’s behind it

Rep. Mooney, Alexander X. [R-WV-2](R-WV)Sponsor
34 cosponsors34 R
Read on Congress.gov
34cosponsors2committees36actions4amendments1related bills12subjects
  1. Jan 19, 2016IntroReferral

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

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  2. Jan 12, 2016FloorH38310

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

  3. Jan 12, 2016FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 235 - 188 (Roll no. 42).

  4. Jan 12, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 235 - 188 (Roll no. 42).

  5. Jan 12, 2016FloorH36110

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 237 (Roll no. 41).

    Natural Resources Committee
  6. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8A000

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H322)

  7. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to insert language stating that either an imminent or long-term threat to human life or increase the incidence or prevalence of lung cancer, heart or kidney disease, birth defects, or heavy metal contaimination in communities in the vicinities of mountaintop removal cola mining projects.

  8. Jan 12, 2016FloorH36100

    Mr. Kildee moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Natural Resources. (consideration: CR H321-322; text: CR H321)

    Natural Resources Committee
  9. Jan 12, 2016FloorH34400

    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. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H315-316)

  10. Jan 12, 2016FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H321)

  11. Jan 12, 2016FloorH32600

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1644.

  12. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Sewell amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Sewell demanded a recorded voted and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

  13. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 583, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sewell amendment No. 4.

  14. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Cartwright amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cartwright demanded a recorded voted and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

  15. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 583, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cartwright amendment No. 3.

  16. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Kildee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Kildee demanded a recorded voted and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

  17. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 583, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee amendment No. 2.

  18. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 583, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lamborn amendment No. 1.

  19. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1644.

  20. Jan 12, 2016FloorH32400

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Erik Paulsen to act as Chairman of the Committee.

  21. Jan 12, 2016FloorH32020

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 583 and Rule XVIII.

  22. Jan 12, 2016FloorH8D000

    The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1644, S.J. Res. 22 and H.R. 3662. The resolution also provides for proceedings during the period from January 14, 2016, through January 22, 2016.

  23. Jan 12, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 583. (consideration: CR H308-323)

  24. Jan 11, 2016FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 583 Reported to House. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1644, S.J. Res. 22 and H.R. 3662. The resolution also provides for proceedings during the period from January 14, 2016, through January 22, 2016.

  25. Oct 1, 2015CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 209.

  26. Oct 1, 2015CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-277.

    Natural Resources Committee
  27. Oct 1, 2015Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 114-277.

    Natural Resources Committee
  28. Sep 10, 2015Committee

    Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  29. Sep 10, 2015Committee

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 12.

    Natural Resources Committee
  30. Sep 10, 2015Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  31. Sep 9, 2015Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  32. May 14, 2015Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
  33. Apr 8, 2015Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

    Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee
  34. Mar 26, 2015IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    Natural Resources Committee
  35. Mar 26, 2015IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  36. Mar 26, 2015IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJan 12, 201636

Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining Act or the STREAM Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to direct the Department of the Interior to make publicly available online and in the Federal Register, 90 days before publication, any draft, proposed, supplemental, final, or emergency rule, or any environmental analysis, economic assessment, policy, or guidance, and each scientific product upon which Interior has relied in developing the rule, the analysis, or the assessment.

A scientific product is any product that:

  • employs the scientific method for inventorying, monitoring, experimenting, studying, researching, or modeling purposes;
  • is relied upon by Interior in developing any rule, environmental analysis, economic assessment, policy, or guidance; and
  • is not protected under copyright laws.

For scientific products receiving federal funds Interior must also make publicly available the raw data used for them (any computational process or quantitative or qualitative data not protected by copyright or containing personally identifiable information, sensitive intellectual property, trade secrets, or business-sensitive information).

If Interior fails to make publicly available any scientific product for longer than six months, it must withdraw the rule, environmental analysis, or economic assessment policy or guidance. This requirement shall not apply if a delay in the publication of a rule will pose an imminent and severe threat to human life.

(Sec. 3) Interior shall arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for its Board on Earth Sciences and Resources to conduct a detailed, comprehensive study of the effectiveness of the "Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations Permanent Regulatory Program; Stream Buffer Zones and Fish, Wildlife, and Related Environmental Values" Final Rule in protecting perennial and intermittent streams through the use of stream buffer zones. The study shall include suggestions and recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the rule if it finds regulatory inefficiencies.

Appropriations for the study are authorized for FY2016-FY2017.

Until one year after publication of the Board's report to Congress, Interior may not issue any proposed or final regulations under the Act that relate either to stream buffer zones or to stream protection.

(Sec. 4) The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 is further amended to declare that nothing in it authorizes Interior to take any action that duplicates, implements, interprets, enforces, or determines compliance with specified mining, environmental, or fish and wildlife law.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Oct 1, 201517

Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining Act or the STREAM Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to direct the Department of the Interior to make publicly available online and in the Federal Register, 90 days before publication, any draft, proposed, supplemental, final, or emergency rule, or any environmental analysis, economic assessment, policy, or guidance, and each scientific product upon which the Department has relied in developing the rule, the analysis, or the assessment.

A scientific product is any product that:

  • employs the scientific method for inventorying, monitoring, experimenting, studying, researching, or modeling purposes; and
  • is relied upon by Interior in developing any rule, environmental analysis, economic assessment, policy, or guidance.

For scientific products receiving federal funds Interior must also make publicly available the raw data used for them (any computational process or quantitative or qualitative data not protected by copyright or containing personally identifiable information, sensitive intellectual property, trade secrets, or business-sensitive information).

If Interior fails to make publicly available any scientific product for longer than six months, it must withdraw the rule, environmental analysis, or economic assessment policy or guidance. This requirement shall not apply, however, if a delay in the publication of a rule will pose an imminent and severe threat to human life.

(Sec. 3) Interior shall arrange with the National Academy of Sciences for its Board on Earth Sciences and Resources to conduct a detailed, comprehensive study of the effectiveness of the "Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations Permanent Regulatory Program; Stream Buffer Zones and Fish, Wildlife, and Related Environmental Values" Final Rule in protecting perennial and intermittent streams through the use of stream buffer zones. The study shall include suggestions and recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the rule if it finds regulatory inefficiencies.

Appropriations for the study are authorized for FY2016-FY2017.

Until one year after publication of the Board's report to Congress, Interior may not issue any proposed or final regulations under the Act that relate either to stream buffer zones or to stream protection.

(Sec. 4) The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 is further amended to declare that nothing in it authorizes Interior to take any action that duplicates, implements, interprets, enforces, or determines compliance with specified mining, environmental, or fish and wildlife law.

Introduced in HouseMar 26, 2015

Supporting Transparent Regulatory and Environmental Actions in Mining Act or the STREAM Act

This bill amends the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to direct the Department of the Interior to make publicly available, 90 days before publication, any draft, supplemental, final, or emergency rule, or any environmental analysis or economic assessment, and each scientific product upon which the Secretary has relied in developing the rule, the analysis, or the assessment.

For scientific products receiving federal funds Interior must also make publicly available: (1) the raw data used for them, and (2) the background information of the authors of the scientific study.

If Interior withholds any scientific product for more than six months, it must withdraw the rule, environmental analysis, or economic assessment.

Interior shall contract with the National Academy of Sciences for its Board on Earth Sciences and Resources to conduct a detailed, comprehensive study of the effectiveness of the "Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Operations Permanent Regulatory Program; Stream Buffer Zones and Fish, Wildlife, and Related Environmental Values" Final Rule in protecting perennial and intermittent streams through the use of stream buffer zones.

Until one year after publication of the Board's report to Congress, Interior may not issue any proposed or final regulations under the Act that relate either to stream buffer zones or to stream protection.

The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 is further amended to declare that nothing in it authorizes Interior to take any action that duplicates, enforces, or determines compliance with specified mining, environmental, or fish and wildlife law.

STREAM Act — Informed