3 versions

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Feb 7, 2025)

Technical corrections only. The later version (v3) updates the attestation with the Clerk's name and includes a header indicating the bill's referral to the Senate. No substantive policy changes were made between the two versions.

H.R. 26119th CongressIntroduced Jan 3, 2025

Protecting American Energy Production Act

Passed HouseEnergyMajor

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Committees: Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action: Feb 10, 2025

Bottom line

This bill restricts presidential authority over hydraulic fracturing, requiring congressional approval for any future moratorium on the practice and affirming state regulatory primacy.

What it actually does

This bill prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing unless such a moratorium is specifically authorized by an Act of Congress. It also includes a Sense of Congress stating that states should maintain primary regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing on state and private lands.

Proponents argue

Supporters argue this bill safeguards domestic energy production, promotes energy independence, and upholds states' rights in regulating natural resources, thereby preventing potential executive overreach that could harm the economy and energy sector.

Opponents contend

Opponents might contend that this bill unduly limits the executive branch's ability to respond swiftly and effectively to environmental concerns, public health crises, or climate change imperatives that might necessitate a temporary halt to hydraulic fracturing.

The bill is exceptionally short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.

Section 1

Short Title

prominently featuredstraightforward

This section formally designates the Act as the 'Protecting American Energy Production Act.' This short title serves as a convenient and official name for referencing the legislation in public discourse and legal contexts.

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupGeneral public and legal professionalsImpactSimplifies referencing the lawMechanismEstablishes a common, official name for the Act.ScaleBroad, affects anyone referencing the law.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue that a clear and concise short title aids in public understanding and legal referencing, making the bill's purpose immediately recognizable.

Critics contend

No specific opposition is typically raised against short title provisions, as they are administrative in nature and do not alter policy.

Tradeoffs

None apparent for this administrative provision.

Section 2(a)

Sense of Congress on State Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing

prominently featuredstraightforward

This subsection expresses the opinion of Congress that individual states should retain primary authority for regulating hydraulic fracturing operations for oil and natural gas production on lands owned by the state and private entities. This statement articulates legislative intent but does not create new legally binding requirements.

Section 2(b)

Prohibition on Presidential Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing

prominently featuredstraightforward

This subsection enacts a statutory prohibition preventing the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing. The only exception to this prohibition is if Congress explicitly authorizes such a moratorium through a separate Act of Congress, thereby transferring the authority for such a declaration from the executive to the legislative branch.

About this analysis. AI-Generated from the official bill text and available committee reports. Gaps in available data are noted explicitly. Verify important details with the official Congress.gov record.

CosmeticWhat changed in REFERRED IN SENATEcompared with ENGROSSED IN HOUSE (Feb 7, 2025)

H.R. 26119th CongressIntroduced Jan 3, 2025

Protecting American Energy Production Act

Passed HouseEnergyMajor

View bill text

Sponsor: Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11]
Committees: Energy and Natural Resources Committee (primary)
Last action: Feb 10, 2025

Bottom line

This bill restricts presidential authority over hydraulic fracturing, requiring congressional approval for any future moratorium on the practice and affirming state regulatory primacy.

What it actually does

Proponents argue

Opponents contend

The bill is exceptionally short and clearly written, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its core provisions quickly.

Section 1

Short Title

prominently featuredstraightforward

GroupImpactMechanismScale

GroupGeneral public and legal professionalsImpactSimplifies referencing the lawMechanismEstablishes a common, official name for the Act.ScaleBroad, affects anyone referencing the law.

Supporters argue

Supporters argue that a clear and concise short title aids in public understanding and legal referencing, making the bill's purpose immediately recognizable.

Critics contend

No specific opposition is typically raised against short title provisions, as they are administrative in nature and do not alter policy.

Tradeoffs

None apparent for this administrative provision.

Section 2(a)

Sense of Congress on State Regulation of Hydraulic Fracturing

prominently featuredstraightforward

Section 2(b)

Prohibition on Presidential Moratorium on Hydraulic Fracturing

prominently featuredstraightforward