A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-112.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together), and the Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote).
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act. It amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to submit a yearly report to Congress. This report must cover the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing and original licensing applications. The first report is due no later than 180 days after the enactment of the section. The report must include specific details like docket numbers, filing dates, and anticipated issuance dates. Furthermore, the information in the report must be separated by the type of license.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The act mandates annual public reports to Congress to increase transparency in the hydropower licensing process.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill increases oversight and transparency in the management of hydropower-related land and water assets.
- Scored +2
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill increases the reporting requirements and procedural clarity of a federal agency (FERC).
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2 creates SEC. 37. ANNUAL LICENSING STATUS REPORT. (a) and (b), which requires regular updates to Congress on hydropower licensing applications. This is positive because it gives our elected officials clear oversight of these processes so they can hold agencies accountable.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The act mandates annual public reports to Congress to increase transparency in the hydropower licensing process. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases the reporting requirements and procedural clarity of a federal agency (FERC).
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides increased predictability and information for businesses applying for hydropower licenses. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill mentions Indian Tribes as parties whose required actions must be tracked and reported.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill increases oversight and transparency in the management of hydropower-related land and water assets.
- Public Law (9/26/2026)
The text as it became law
What changed from Enrolled Bill: No change to the wording. Only the printed details that record the bill’s progress, such as the heading and dates, are different.
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 9/25/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-112.
- 9/17/2026
- Presented to President.
- 9/16/2026
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4746-4747)
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 7/15/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 7/14/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3221-3222)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3221-3222)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3657.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3221-3223)
- Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 7/10/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-193.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 157.
- 6/25/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 0.
- 6/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/5/2025
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 6/3/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
- 5/29/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Russ FulcherRepublican · Idaho
Adam GrayDemocrat · California
Nicholas LangworthyRepublican · New York