Utah Congressional Bills

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1764: Military Food Security Act of 2023

The Military Food Security Act of 2023 amends federal law to exclude the basic allowance for housing (BAH) from the gross household income calculation for eligible military members when determining eligibility for food assistance programs. This change directly affects active-duty service members and their families who rely on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The key provision removes BAH from income calculations, meaning housing payments will no longer reduce a military household's eligibility for food benefits. This adjustment aims to improve access to nutrition assistance for military families by ensuring their housing allowance isn't counted as income. The bill focuses solely on modifying a calculation method, with no new funding or benefits created.

Jimmy Panetta (D) · 35 co-sponsors

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1158: Elimination of Future Technology Delays Act of 2023

This bill amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to address reviews of chemical substances critical to energy infrastructure. It requires the EPA Administrator to consider economic, societal, and environmental costs/benefits when reviewing such substances (defined by the Secretary of Energy as essential to U.S. energy systems with vulnerable supply chains), overriding a standard prohibition against these factors. If the EPA fails to act within the review timeline, companies can proceed with their planned actions without further EPA review, and the EPA is relieved of making that determination. The bill also mandates the EPA conduct a preliminary review and provide a draft determination before asking a company to withdraw a submission or pause the review period.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1155: Keeping America’s Refineries Act

HR 1155, the Keeping America’s Refineries Act, exempts certain petroleum refineries from a specific requirement under the Clean Air Act. It directly affects refineries operating alkylation units that use hydrofluoric acid (HF), specifically those with valid Clean Air Act permits or that meet American Petroleum Institute safety standards. The bill prohibits the EPA from mandating that these refineries assess "safer technology" or alternative risk management measures for HF use in their hazard assessments. This change removes a regulatory step requiring refineries to evaluate safer alternatives for HF acid, focusing solely on their existing operational compliance.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1140: To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to waive application of certain requirements with respect to processing and refining a critical energy resource at a critical energy resource facility, and for other purposes.

HR 1140 allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator to temporarily waive certain environmental requirements for facilities processing "critical energy resources" (like essential energy sources with vulnerable supply chains) during national or energy security emergencies. The waiver, valid for up to 90 days (renewable), permits increased processing or refining at designated facilities to meet urgent security needs, without violating other environmental laws during the waiver period. Facilities operating under this waiver are protected from legal penalties for actions that would otherwise conflict with other environmental regulations. The bill applies specifically to energy resources critical to U.S. energy systems, as defined by the Secretary of Energy.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1115: Promoting Interagency Coordination for Review of Natural Gas Pipelines Act

This bill makes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the sole lead agency for environmental reviews (NEPA) required for natural gas pipeline approvals. It requires other federal, state, and tribal agencies to coordinate with FERC early in the process, adhere to a strict 90-day deadline for decisions, and avoid duplicating environmental reviews. Pipeline developers benefit from a more predictable timeline, while the public gains access to online tracking of each agency's progress on permits. The bill also mandates FERC to consult with transportation security officials on pipeline safety measures during reviews.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1141: Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act

HR 1141, the Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act, repeals a specific provision (Section 136) of the Clean Air Act that established an incentive program for reducing methane emissions and waste in natural gas systems. This bill directly affects natural gas producers and operators who previously participated in or were subject to the methane emissions reduction program. The key mechanism is the removal of this incentive program, eliminating federal requirements and financial incentives related to methane waste reduction for the natural gas industry. The bill also rescinds unobligated funds allocated for this program. This is a policy change removing a regulatory incentive, not a tax repeal.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

August Pfluger (R) · 41 co-sponsors

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1058: Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act

HR 1058 streamlines approval for new cross-border energy infrastructure projects in the U.S., directly affecting energy companies seeking to build oil/gas pipelines or electricity transmission lines across U.S. borders with Canada or Mexico. It replaces Presidential permits with a new "certificate of crossing" process managed by FERC (for pipelines) or the Department of Energy (for electricity), requiring decisions within 120 days unless the project lacks public interest. The bill also mandates that natural gas import/export applications be approved within 30 days and repeals a requirement for Federal Power Act approval for electricity projects. Existing facilities and projects with pending permits as of the bill's enactment are exempt from these new rules.

Topics ✗ Energy

Kelly Armstrong (R) · 17 co-sponsors

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1070: To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to provide the owner or operator of a critical energy resource facility an interim permit under subtitle C that is subject to final approval by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and for other purposes.

HR 1070 creates a new interim permit process for owners or operators of critical energy resource facilities under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. This allows these facilities to operate under an interim permit while awaiting final EPA approval, streamlining permitting for projects involving critical energy resources. The bill defines "critical energy resource" as energy sources essential to U.S. energy systems with vulnerable supply chains (as determined by the Secretary of Energy), and "critical energy resource facility" as one processing or refining such resources. The interim permit must still be approved by the EPA Administrator, ensuring environmental oversight remains in place. This change directly affects energy infrastructure projects focused on securing critical supply chains.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1085: REFINER Act

This bill (HR 1085, the REFINER Act) requires the U.S. Secretary of Energy to direct the National Petroleum Council to produce a report within 90 days of enactment. The report must examine U.S. petrochemical refineries' role in energy security, analyze their capacity and expansion opportunities, assess risks to these facilities, and evaluate federal or state policies that may have reduced refinery capacity. It also mandates recommendations for increasing refinery capacity and requires the report to be made publicly available. The bill does not change existing laws or regulations but directs a formal review of refinery operations and policy impacts affecting the sector.

Topics ✗ Energy

in committee · Utah · House Mar 23, 2023

HR 1068: Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act

HR 1068, the Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply Act, amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to define "critical energy resource" as any energy resource essential to U.S. energy systems with a vulnerable supply chain. The bill requires the Energy Secretary to conduct ongoing assessments of these resources, strengthen domestic supply chains through diversification and increased production, develop alternatives, improve recycling technology, and evaluate risks from import reliance. This legislation directly affects the Department of Energy, which must now lead these efforts in consultation with energy sector stakeholders and federal agencies. The key mechanisms focus on preventing supply disruptions for resources critical to energy technologies and systems, without specifying particular minerals or industries.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 22, 2023

SJRES 21: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to require the U.S. Supreme Court to have exactly nine justices. Currently, Congress sets the Court's size through legislation, but this amendment would make the nine-justice structure a permanent requirement in the Constitution. It would need ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years to become part of the Constitution. If adopted, it would prevent Congress from changing the Court's size via ordinary legislation.

Ted Cruz (R) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 22, 2023

S 907: PRIME Act

The PRIME Act exempts certain local meat processing from federal inspection requirements. It allows custom slaughter facilities to process animals and prepare meat products for exclusive sale within the same state - either to households or to restaurants, grocery stores, or other food businesses that serve consumers directly in that state. Facilities must comply with their state's laws regarding slaughter and processing, and the bill explicitly states it does not override state regulations on meat handling or sales. This change applies only to intrastate transactions, keeping federal oversight for meat sold across state lines.

Utah Congressional Bills

Bill results