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H.R. 3043: Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

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H.R. 3043: Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

115th Congress · introduced 2017-06-23 · Energy · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2017-06-23 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 619 (2017): On Agreeing to the Amendment, HR3043 (2017-11-08), Failed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. 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

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

Plain summary

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.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), 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

Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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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. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3043, Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017 (2017-07-24)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
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.
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-hr3043 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115