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HR 5638 114th Congress House Energy Alternative and renewable resources Chemistry Energy efficiency and conservation Energy research Materials Research administration and funding Research and development

Solar Fuels Innovation Act

Introduced: July 6, 2016 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) 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 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 12, 2016
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Jul 11, 2016
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 11, 2016
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4649-4650)
Jul 11, 2016
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4649-4650)
Jul 11, 2016
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5638.
Jul 11, 2016
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4649-4651)
Jul 11, 2016
Mr. Knight moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 11, 2016
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 528.
Jul 11, 2016
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 114-680.
Jul 6, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Jul 6, 2016
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Solar Fuels Innovation Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by requiring the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out the Solar Fuels Basic Research Initiative to expand scientific knowledge about converting solar energy into chemical energy. Specifically, DOE must support research about: (1) replicating natural photosynthetic processes in artificial photosynthesis processes, and (2) generating a variety of fuels produced from sunlight through artificial photosynthesis. (A photosynthetic process is one used by plants to convert light from the sun into chemical energy. Artificial, human-made photosynthesis mimics the natural process.)

Appropriations authorized under the bill may not be obligated or expended for commercial application of energy technology.

The bill repeals a requirement for DOE to support a research and development program in catalysis science (the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst).

What's happening now July 12, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Republican 3
R
Babin, Brian
Texas · Jul 6, 2016
 R
Moolenaar, John R.
Michigan · Jul 6, 2016
 R
Weber, Randy K. Sr.
Texas · Jul 6, 2016
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5638: Solar Fuels Innovation Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5638/
MLA
"H.R. 5638: Solar Fuels Innovation Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5638/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5638, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5638/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5638: Solar Fuels Innovation Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-HR-5638/)
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