A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Empower Energy Exporting Communities Act. It sets up a new trust fund in the U.S. Treasury called the Oil and Gas Community Trust Fund. The fund gets its money by taking 3 percent of the net revenues received from certain oil and gas companies. These funds can then be used to make payments to eligible oil and gas communities for investments in infrastructure and public services. To be eligible, a county, parish, municipality, or Tribal community must be located within 50 miles of a major port for exporting oil or gas. The amount of money a port region can get is limited based on how its export amounts compare to the total nationwide exports.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +5
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
The bill explicitly allows trust fund moneys to be used for infrastructure investments in eligible communities near export ports.
- Scored +4
Does this invest in rural communities?
Eligible communities include rural counties and parishes situated near major oil and gas export ports that will receive direct funding.
- Scored +3
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Investments in public services within eligible communities are likely to assist lower-income households residing in those port regions.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Specified oil or gas companies face a financial transfer of 3 percent of net revenues into the federal trust fund.
- Scored -2
Is this likely to lower the price at the pump?
The assessment on oil and gas revenues could potentially lead to higher energy costs passed down to consumers.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill creates a new mandatory appropriation into a dedicated trust fund financed by a portion of oil and gas net revenues.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Local Infrastructure and Public Services: Section 2(a) adds new section 9512(c)(1), which allows money from the trust fund to be used to make payments to eligible oil and gas communities for infrastructure and public service investments. This is a positive outcome because it provides direct financial support to local areas that deal with the demands of energy exports.
-
Funding Tied to Industry Revenues: Section 2(a) adds new section 9512(b)(1), which appropriates amounts equivalent to 3 percent of the net revenues received from specified oil and gas companies into the trust fund. This could be viewed as a positive way to ensure that energy-producing and exporting activities directly contribute to the local communities near major ports.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential for Increased Costs: The text does not explicitly detail any negative impacts or burdens for individuals or groups. Because we must stick strictly to the text without making assumptions, no specific negative consequences can be listed from the provided document.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Investments in public services within eligible communities are likely to assist lower-income households residing in those port regions. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes Tribal communities located within 50 miles of major oil or gas export ports as eligible recipients. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural counties and parishes near major oil and gas export ports are explicitly designated as eligible to receive infrastructure funds. Would children be better off under this? — Local public service and infrastructure improvements funded by the trust fund can enhance quality of life for children in those areas. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Residents in eligible oil and gas communities benefit from enhanced local infrastructure and public services. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class families in eligible communities stand to benefit from upgraded local infrastructure and public investments. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Improved community infrastructure and public services can positively impact older residents living near major export ports. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Municipalities near major export ports can receive direct infrastructure and public service funding. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Targeted community investments can create jobs and improve local public services beneficial to young adults. Would business owners be better off under this? — Specified oil or gas companies face a financial transfer of 3 percent of net revenues into the federal trust fund.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill explicitly allows trust fund moneys to be used for infrastructure investments in eligible communities near export ports. Does this invest in rural communities? — Eligible communities include rural counties and parishes situated near major oil and gas export ports that will receive direct funding. Is this likely to lower the price at the pump? — The assessment on oil and gas revenues could potentially lead to higher energy costs passed down to consumers.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The legislation establishes clear statutory allocation rules and limitations based on nationwide export shares for trust fund expenditures. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill creates a federally administered trust fund and empowers the Secretary of the Treasury to oversee distributions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The trust fund permits investments in public services and infrastructure that can support local community needs like housing. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Targeted infrastructure and public service investments in eligible communities may help alleviate local economic hardships.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes a trust fund to invest in infrastructure in eligible oil and gas communities, which can stimulate local employment. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Federal investments in infrastructure and public services within port regions can foster localized economic development. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill creates a new mandatory appropriation into a dedicated trust fund financed by a portion of oil and gas net revenues.
- 9/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
- Introduced in House
Dan CrenshawRepublican · Texas