Craig Goldman (R-TX)
Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 8 Republican cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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, titled the "Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy Act of 2026," requires specific federal agencies to implement expiration dates on certain regulations. Covered agencies include the Department of Energy and several offices within the Department of the Interior, as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Existing regulations must be amended to expire within one year of the Act's enactment. New regulations must generally expire within five years unless a waiver is granted for regulations with a net deregulatory effect. Agencies may extend these expiration dates by providing opportunities for public comment on costs and benefits. If an expiration date is not extended, the regulation ceases to have effect and must be removed from the Code of Federal Regulations.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides a mechanism to reduce the long-term regulatory burden on energy and land-use businesses.
- Scored +3
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
Reducing regulatory hurdles may accelerate energy production and infrastructure in rural regions.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The reduction of regulatory requirements for energy agencies may lower barriers to industrial development and hiring.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -6
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The mandate for many energy and land-use regulations to expire within one year threatens existing environmental safeguards.
- Scored -4
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
By sunsetting regulations that oversee extraction, the bill may facilitate increased fossil fuel production.
- Scored -3
Does this give the federal government more power?
While intended to limit agency reach, the bill imposes new heavy administrative requirements on federal agency heads.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Regulatory Oversight and Public Input: The bill allows for a public comment process regarding the costs and benefits of regulations before they are extended (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 1). This ensures that individuals have a voice in whether a regulation should continue to exist.
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Deregulatory Flexibility: Agency heads can exempt new regulations from the five-year expiration requirement if they determine the regulation has a net deregulatory effect (Section 3, subsection a, paragraph 2, subparagraph B).
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Streamlined Rulemaking: Amendments that have a net deregulatory effect can extend a regulation's expiration date without requiring the full public comment process (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 2, subparagraph A).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Regulatory Instability: Existing regulations must be amended to expire within one year of the Act's enactment (Section 3, subsection a, paragraph 1). This could lead to sudden expirations if agencies do not act quickly to extend them.
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Loss of Existing Protections: If a regulation's expiration date is not extended, the regulation ceases to have any effect and the agency can no longer enforce it (Section 3, subsection c, paragraph 1). This could result in the sudden removal of specific rules or provisions.
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Administrative Burdens: To extend a regulation, agencies must provide an opportunity for public comment on costs and benefits and make a determination based on those comments (Section 3, subsection b, paragraph 1). This creates a recurring requirement for agency heads to manage the lifecycle of their regulations.
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 business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides a mechanism to reduce the long-term regulatory burden on energy and land-use businesses. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Reducing regulatory hurdles may accelerate energy production and infrastructure in rural regions. Would farmers be better off under this? — Changes to land management regulations may impact agricultural land use and development.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The act's focus on deregulation aims to stimulate economic activity within the energy sector. Is this likely to create jobs? — The reduction of regulatory requirements for energy agencies may lower barriers to industrial development and hiring. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Reducing long-term regulatory burdens may lower operational uncertainty for smaller energy-related entities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Deregulating land management may expedite energy-related infrastructure projects in rural areas. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The mandate for many energy and land-use regulations to expire within one year threatens existing environmental safeguards. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — By sunsetting regulations that oversee extraction, the bill may facilitate increased fossil fuel production.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires specific public comment opportunities regarding the costs and benefits of extending regulations. Does this give the federal government more power? — While intended to limit agency reach, the bill imposes new heavy administrative requirements on federal agency heads.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The removal of certain environmental or land-use regulations could impact land availability for various developments.
- 3/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/17/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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.
- 7 Cosponsors 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.
Dan CrenshawRepublican · Texas
Brandon GillRepublican · Texas
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
August PflugerRepublican · Texas
Beth Van DuyneRepublican · Texas
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas