Rules Committee · Apr 23, 2026
H.Amdt. 177: Its purpose is not yet published.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 231–186
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The HEATS Act of 2026 aims to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970. It seeks to waive Federal drilling permit requirements for certain geothermal exploration and production activities on non-Federal surface estates. This applies if the United States holds less than a 50 percent interest in the subsurface geothermal estate and a State permit is submitted to the Secretary. Additionally, the bill exempts these activities from certain requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. The Act also limits the application of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the National Historic Preservation Act under specific conditions.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill reduces regulatory and permitting hurdles for geothermal energy operators.
- Scored +4
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill streamlines the process for geothermal exploration and production, a renewable energy source.
- Scored +3
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill shifts more regulatory authority to the state level by allowing state permits to substitute for federal drilling permits.
The opposite
- Scored -6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill exempts certain geothermal activities from National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act reviews.
- Scored -4
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill specifically excludes Indian lands and resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its provisions.
- Scored -3
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill excludes Indian lands and resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its streamlining provisions.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 231 yes · 186 no
04/23/2026 · Roll call 137 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Streamlined Geothermal Operations: Operators can begin activities just 30 days after submitting a State permit to the Secretary (Section 2, subsection a and b). This could speed up geothermal exploration and production.
-
Reduced Regulatory Burdens: Certain activities will not be considered major Federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Section 2, subsection b). This removes specific environmental review requirements for these operators.
-
Exemption from Species Protections: Activities under this section shall not be subject to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Section 2, subsection b).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Reduced Historic Preservation Oversight: The National Historic Preservation Act may only apply if there is no State law in effect that addresses the preservation of historic properties (Section 2, subsection b).
-
Exclusion of Indian Lands: The provisions of this section do not apply to actions on Indian lands or resources managed in trust for the benefit of Indian Tribes (Section 2, subsection d).
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill reduces regulatory and permitting hurdles for geothermal energy operators.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill specifically excludes Indian lands and resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its provisions.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill shifts more regulatory authority to the state level by allowing state permits to substitute for federal drilling permits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill excludes Indian lands and resources managed in trust for Indian Tribes from its streamlining provisions.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill streamlines the process for geothermal exploration and production, a renewable energy source. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill exempts certain geothermal activities from National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act reviews.
- 7/15/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 4/28/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 4/23/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5587.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3073-3077)
- 4/22/2026
- Rule H. Res. 1189 passed House.
- 4/20/2026
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
- 4/15/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 531.
- 3/5/2026
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
- 12/16/2025
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 12/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
- 9/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-S-4975: HEATS Act
- 119-HRES-1189: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4690) to amend the Energy Conservation and Production Act to repeal certain Federal building energy efficiency performance standards, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1182) expressing support for rural communities across the United States as stewards of the environment, major suppliers of United States energy resources, critical providers of food production and manufacturing capacity, and drivers of national economic stability, and recognizing the work of the House of Representatives in the 119th Congress in support of those vital communities; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1897) to amend the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to optimize conservation through resource prioritization, incentivize wildlife conservation on private lands, provide for greater incentives to recover listed species, create greater transparency and accountability in recovering listed species, streamline the permitting process, eliminate barriers to conservation, and restore congressional intent; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5587) to amend the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to waive the requirement for a Federal drilling permit for certain activities, to exempt certain activities from the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes.
Nicholas BegichRepublican · Alaska
Adam GrayDemocrat · California