H.R. 5372: Bioenergy Innovation, Optional Fuel Utilization, and Energy Legacy (BIOFUEL) Act of 2006

109th Congress · introduced 2006-05-11 · Energy · Latest: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7503)

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2006-05-11 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Herseth, Stephanie [D-SD-At Large] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H7503) Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Bioenergy Innovation, Optional Fuel Utilization, and Energy Legacy (BIOFUEL) Act of 2006

Plain summary

Bioenergy Innovation, Optional Fuel Utilization, and Energy Legacy (BIOFUEL) Act of 2006 - Amends the Clean Air Act to revise the schedule for the volume of renewable fuels, the volume for cellulosic biomass, and the volume of biodiesel. Amends federal transportation law to require manufacturers of new dual fueled automobiles to ensure that the percentage of the total of such automobiles, manufactured and distributed in commerce for sale in the United States, meets prescribed percentages for specified model years. Directs the Secretary of Energy to require motor fuel retailers in each geographic region the Secretary establishes, when flexible-fuel vehicle market penetrations reach a certain level, to install an E-85 fuel pump or pumps at their retail fuel facilities. Establishes in the Treasury a Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Fund to implement a related grant program. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a renewable energy strategic feedstock reserve program to purchase and store agricultural commodities with their producers. Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to: (1) redefine bioenergy as ethanol derived from cellulosic feedstocks; and (2) reauthorize the Department of Agriculture bioenergy program. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to enable eligible farmers, ranchers, and certain domestic entities controlled by them to create or expand facilities designed to convert agricultural commodities into fuel. Prohibits the Secretary from requiring a lender to obtain an unsubordinated interest in a borrower's farming or ranching operation as a prerequisite to a federal loan guarantee. Amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to declare eligible for credit assistance certain associations of farmers, producers, or harvesters of aquatic products engaged in commercial activities related to renewable energy products. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research and development program related to: (1) ethanol production; (2) extraction of energy from biological sources; (3) biomass gasification; and (4) new vehicle efficiency technologies. Instructs the Secretary of Energy to establish a biofuels production facility grant program. Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress should enact policies that: (1) reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) encourage systems that compensate American agricultural producers for the beneficial role that they play in reducing greenhouse gases and sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel; (2) increase tax credits for refueling property for ethanol and biodiesel; and (3) increase the small ethanol producer credit. Revises requirements for infrastructure bonds for facilities producing motor vehicle fuel from biomass.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Bioenergy Innovation, Optional Fuel Utilization, and Energy Legacy (BIOFUEL) Act of 2006

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Herseth, Stephanie [D-SD-At Large] · 63 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), John B. Larson (D-CT), Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Doris O. Matsui (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and 3 more.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (3)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Bond: A way to borrow money. A government sells bonds to raise money now and promises to pay it back with interest over time. Bonds repaid from taxes often need voter approval.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-109hr5372.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/hr>

Record fed-us-cong109-hr5372 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109