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H.R. 3043 115th Congress House

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

Official title: To modernize hydropower policy, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 23, 2017 See on congress.gov
Energy Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAlternative and renewable resourcesDams and canals
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) 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 30 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 9, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Nov 8, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 8, 2017
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)
Nov 8, 2017
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Nov 8, 2017
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Nov 8, 2017
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3043.
Nov 8, 2017
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Nov 8, 2017
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Nov 8, 2017
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8641-8642)
Nov 8, 2017
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3043 as unfinished business.
Nov 8, 2017
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Nov 8, 2017
Mr. Upton moved that the Committee rise.
Nov 8, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Nov 8, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rush amendment No. 4.
Nov 8, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jenkins (WV) amendment No. 3.
Nov 8, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Babin amendment No. 2.
Nov 8, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grothman amendment No. 1.
Nov 8, 2017
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3043.
Nov 8, 2017
The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Nov 8, 2017
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 607 and Rule XVIII.
Nov 8, 2017
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Nov 8, 2017
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 607. (consideration: CR H8614-8641)
Nov 6, 2017
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 607 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.
Oct 31, 2017
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 277.
Oct 31, 2017
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Oct 31, 2017
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.
Jun 28, 2017
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 28, 2017
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 23, 2017
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Jun 23, 2017
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Nov 8, 2017 House · vote #620 On Passage Passed 257–166 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 4

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

3 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 481 – Amendment sought to add a new section to the Federal Power Act (FPA) to improve the hydropower licensing proc… Failed Nov 8, 2017
HAMDT 480 – An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 115-391 to ensure that when hydro projects have an existing M… Agreed to Nov 8, 2017
HAMDT 479 Babin, Brian An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 115-391 to allow FERC to examine the licenses of any project … Agreed to Nov 8, 2017
HAMDT 478 Grothman, Glenn An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 115-391 to require the U.S. Department of Interior consider t… Agreed to Nov 8, 2017
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 Latest action November 9, 2017

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

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license.

The bill expands the definition of "renewable energy" to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects. The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.

(Sec. 3) The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact.

FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.

The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects.

(Sec. 5) The Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior must consider the threat of invasive species when prescribing a fishway. (Fishways are structures placed on or around constructed barriers to give fish the opportunity to migrate.)

(Sec. 6) FERC may examine the license for any project that is located in an area that was declared to be a disaster area in 2017.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 2274 HYPE Act
  • S 724 A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to modernize authorizations for necessary hydropower approvals.
  • S 1460 Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017
  • HRES 607 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3043) to modernize hydropower policy, and for other purposes, and providi…
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3043: Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3043/
MLA
"H.R. 3043: Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3043/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3043, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3043/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3043: Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-3043/)
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