United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 3043 (115th)
Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017
Introduced
23 June 2017
Last action
9 November 2017 · Introduced
Status
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsors
Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5]
Subjects
Environment, Energy
Source updated
24 March 2026
Summary
Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017 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, license amendment, or exemption. 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. 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.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
23 June 2017
Introduced
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.
Source: IntroReferral
23 June 2017
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
23 June 2017
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
28 June 2017
Reported
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Source: Committee
28 June 2017
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
31 October 2017
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 277.
Source: Calendars
31 October 2017
Discharge
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Source: Discharge
31 October 2017
Committee
Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
Source: Committee
31 October 2017
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.
Source: Committee
31 October 2017
Reported
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.
Source: Committee
6 November 2017
Reported
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.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
Mr. Upton moved that the Committee rise.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Vote
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Vote
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620).(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Passed
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.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3043.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3043 as unfinished business.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Passed
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
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.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 607 and Rule XVIII.
Source: Floor
8 November 2017
Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 607. (consideration: CR H8614-8641)
Source: Floor
9 November 2017
Introduced
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Source: IntroReferral
Votes
8 November 2017 · passed · On Passage · Passed · Official source
Yes 257 · No 166 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 9
- Rep. Ferguson, A. Drew, IV [R-GA-3]Aye
- Rep. McEachin, A. Donald [D-VA-4]No
- Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20]No
- Rep. Kinzinger, Adam [R-IL-16]Aye
Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.
Versions
- Referred in Senate · 9 November 2017 · Download file
- Engrossed in House · 8 November 2017 · Download file
- Reported in House · 31 October 2017 · Download file
- Introduced in House · 23 June 2017 · Download file
Documents
11 official files
Referred in Senate (text)
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Referred in Senate (text)
Referred in Senate · EN · 9 November 2017
Referred in Senate (PDF)
Referred in Senate · EN · 9 November 2017
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Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 8 November 2017
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Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 8 November 2017
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Passed House amended
summary · EN · 8 November 2017
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Reported in House (text)
Reported in House · EN · 31 October 2017
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Reported in House (PDF)
Reported in House · EN · 31 October 2017
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Reported to House amended, Part I
summary · EN · 31 October 2017
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Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 23 June 2017
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Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 23 June 2017
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Introduced in House
summary · EN · 23 June 2017
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Sponsors
- Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5] · R · Sponsor
- · sseg00 · Standing
- · hsgo00 · Standing
- · hsif00 · Standing
Related records
- related to → HYPE Act
- related to → A bill to amend the Federal Power Act to modernize authorizations for necessary hydropower approvals.
- related to → Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017
- related to ← Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3043) to modernize hydropower policy, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 3441) to clarify the treatment of two or more employers as joint employers under the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
- amends ← An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 115-391 to require the U.S. Department of Interior consider the threat of invasive species when it makes decisions on hydropower licensing.
- amends ← An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 115-391 to allow FERC to examine the licenses of any project located in an area that was declared by the President to be a disaster area in 2017.
- amends ← An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 115-391 to ensure that when hydro projects have an existing Memorandum of Understanding for non-federal hydropower with FERC that all relevant federal agencies are authorized to fully study and review the potential expansion of non-federal hydropower, including a review of seasonal pool levels and slowing flood releases.
- amends ← Amendment sought to add a new section to the Federal Power Act (FPA) to improve the hydropower licensing process. It sought to direct the Commission and the Federal resource agencies to convene a negotiated rulemaking within 90 days of enactment with named stakeholders to develop a process that would coordinate necessary authorizations and enable the Commission to make a final decision on a license not later than 3 years of receiving a completed license application.
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3043
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/115/hr/3043
- us · 115-hr-3043 · source updated 24 March 2026