Skip to main content
HR 5616 110th Congress House

Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act

Official title: To provide for the repeal of the phase out of incandescent light bulbs unless the Comptroller General makes certain specific findings.

Introduced: March 13, 2008 See on congress.gov
Energy Air pollution controlCarbon dioxideChild safetyCommerce
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
CongressCongressional investigationsCongressional reporting requirementsCost effectivenessDay careEducationElementary and secondary educationEnergy efficiencyEnvironmental ProtectionFamiliesFinance and Financial SectorHealthHospitalsLightingMental care facilitiesMercuryNursing homesSchool buildingsStandards
This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 14, 2008
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
Mar 13, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Mar 13, 2008
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action March 14, 2008

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions concerning energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, other designated lamps, and incandescent reflector lamps unless the Comptroller General has transmitted to Congress within six months after this Act's enactment a report that finds that: (1) consumers will obtain a net savings, in terms of dollars spent on monthly electric bills and expenses for new light fixtures to accommodate the use of the light bulbs required by such provisions, compared to dollars spent before their enactment; (2) the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs required by such provisions will reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in the United States by 2025; and (3) such phase-out will not pose any health risks, including risks associated with mercury containment in certain light bulbs, to consumers or the general public, including health risks with respect to hospitals, schools, day care centers, mental health facilities, and nursing homes.

Requires the report to include monthly and yearly projections of expenses for electric bills and new light fixtures for January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5616: Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5616/
MLA
"H.R. 5616: Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5616/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5616, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5616/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5616: Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-5616/)
Report a problem