H.R. 5985: Empowering America Act of 2006

109th Congress · introduced 2006-07-28 · Energy · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2006-07-28 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Cardoza, Dennis A. [D-CA-18] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy. 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

Empowering America Act of 2006

Plain summary

Empowering America Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase and extend through 2015: (1) the tax credit for residential energy efficient property; (2) the tax credit for nonbusiness energy property; and (3) the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. Extends through 2015 the energy tax credit for equipment which uses solar energy. Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to extend through FY2015 funding of energy efficient appliance rebate programs. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to require that states, counties, and Indian tribes which receive community development block grants limit the cost of permits or licenses for the construction or installation of solar energy systems in residential and nonresidential structures. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to issue regulations to prohibit restrictions on the installation, construction, maintenance, or use of a solar energy system in a single family residence. Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) study the effectiveness of the conservation and energy efficiency tax incentives enacted by the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005 and report to Congress on such study; and (2) establish a Center for Advanced Solar Research and Development.

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

Empowering America Act of 2006

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Cardoza, Dennis A. [D-CA-18] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

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 (1)

Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

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-109hr5985.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/hr>

Record fed-us-cong109-hr5985 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109