WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 3657 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-112

Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act

Became lawEnergy
IntroducedMay 29, 2025
Passed HouseJul 14, 2025
Passed SenateSep 16, 2026
To PresidentSep 17, 2026
Became lawSep 25, 2026

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 3657 changed 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

16 U.S.C. 823g Considerations for relicensing terms

What the words changed: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 16 U.S.C. 823gadded 37by H.R. 3657 Sec. 2

    37 Annual licensing status report.—(a) In general.— Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report on the status of—(1) the licensing process for each new license, and for each subsequent license for which sections 14 and 15 have been waived, for which the existing licensee has notified the Commission under section 15(b)(1) at least 3 years prior to submission of the report that such existing licensee intends to file an application for such new license or subsequent license, but such new license or subsequent license has not yet been issued under section 15; and(2) the licensing process for each original license under section 4(e) for which a citizen, association, corporation, State, Indian Tribe, or municipality has notified the Commission, pursuant to applicable regulations, at least 3 years prior to submission of the report that such citizen, association, corporation, State, Indian Tribe, or municipality intends to file an application for such original license, but such original license has not yet been issued under section 4(e).(b) Inclusions.— Each report submitted under subsection (a) shall include, with respect to the licensing process for each new license and subsequent license described in such subsection and the licensing process for each original license described in such subsection—(1) the date the notice of intent described in such subsection was provided to the Commission;(2) any docket number assigned with respect to such licensing process;(3) whether any application for such new license, such subsequent license, or such original license has been filed;(4) information regarding the status of any such application, including the date the Commission anticipates it will issue such original license, such subsequent license, or such new license;(5) the date of any upcoming proceeding or other meeting related to such original license, such subsequent license, or such new license; and(6) a description of any ongoing or completed actions required of the existing licensee, citizen, association, corporation, State, Indian Tribe, municipality, the Commission, the fish and wildlife agencies referred to in section 15(b), and any other agencies.(c) Disaggregation of information by license type.— The information included in each report submitted under subsection (a) shall be disaggregated by whether the information relates to a new license, or a subsequent license, issued under section 15 or an original license issued under section 4(e).

    The bill says: The Federal Power Act is amended by inserting after section 36 (16 U.S.C. 823g) the following:

    Bill text · Current law (16 U.S.C. 823g)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Hydropower Relicensing Transparency Act

This bill directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to report annually to Congress on the status of the relicensing process for each application for a renewed hydropower dam license.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, May 29, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2026-09-25Became Public Law No: 119-112.Library of Congress
  2. 2026-09-25Became Public Law No: 119-112.Library of Congress
  3. 2026-09-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2026-09-25Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2026-09-17Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2026-09-17Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2026-09-16Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  8. 2026-09-16Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4746-4747)Senate
  9. 2026-09-16Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  10. 2026-09-16Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
  11. 2026-09-16Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  12. 2026-06-10Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.Senate
  13. 2025-07-15Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Senate
  14. 2025-07-14Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  15. 2025-07-14On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3221-3222)House floor actions
  16. 2025-07-14Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3221-3222)Library of Congress
  17. 2025-07-14DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3657.House floor actions
  18. 2025-07-14Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3221-3223)House floor actions
  19. 2025-07-14Mr. Latta moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.House floor actions
  20. 2025-07-10Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 157.House floor actions
  21. 2025-07-10Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-193.House floor actions
  22. 2025-07-10Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-193.Library of Congress
  23. 2025-06-25Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 0.House committee actions
  24. 2025-06-25Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  25. 2025-06-05Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.House committee actions
  26. 2025-06-05Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  27. 2025-06-03Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.House committee actions
  28. 2025-05-29Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.House floor actions
  29. 2025-05-29Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  30. 2025-05-29Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-112 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Cosponsors

  • Russ Fulcher R-ID-1
  • Adam Gray D-CA-13
  • Nicholas A. Langworthy R-NY-23