Congress

• Date: 01 March 2024

32024 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW REPORTER 54 ELR 10259

In the Congress

“In the Congress” covers notable environment-related activities reported in the Congressional Record during the month

January 2024. Entries are arranged by bill number, with Senate bills listed fi rst. To see all environment-related bills that are

introduced, reported out of commit tee, passed by either house, or signed by the president, including environmental treatie s

ratified by the Senate, visit ELR 's website at https://elr.info/legislative/congressional-update.

PUBLIC LAWS

GOVERNANCE

H.R. 1722 (Grand Ronde Reser vation Act Amendment of

2023), introduced by Rep. A ndrea Salinas (D-Or.) on March

22, 2023, was signed by President Biden on December 26,

2023. e Act amended the Grand Ronde Reservation Act.

Pub. L. No. 118-32, 170 Cong. Rec. D11 (daily ed. Jan. 8,

2024 ).

H.R. 2839, introduced by Rep. Val Hoyle (D-Or.) on April

25, 2023, was signed by President Biden on December 26,

2023. e Act amended the Siletz Reser vation Act to address

the hunting, shing , trapping, and animal gatheri ng rights of

the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. Pub. L . No. 118-

33, 170 Cong. Rec. D11 (daily ed. Jan. 8, 2024).

H.R. 2872 (Furt her Addit ional Cont inuing Appropria-

tions and Other E xtensions Act, 2024), introduced by Rep.

Garret Graves (R-La.) on April 26, 2023, was signed by Presi-

dent Biden on January 19, 2024. e Act made further con-

tinuing appropriations for the scal year ending September

30, 2024. Pub. L. No. 118-35, 170 Cong. Rec. D61 (daily ed.

Jan. 22, 2024).

BILLS INTRODUCED

AIR

S. 3615 (Federal Carbon Dioxide Re moval Leader ship

Act of 2024) was introduced by Sen. Ch ristopher Coons

(D-Del.) on January 18, 2024. e bill would require the

Secretary of Energ y to remove carbon dioxide direct ly from

ambient air or seawater. It was referred to the Committee on

Energy and Natura l Resources. 170 Cong. Rec. S185 (daily

ed. Jan. 18, 2024).

ENERGY

H.R. 7053 (Orphan Well Grant Flex ibility Act of 202 4)

was introduced by Rep. Glenn ompson (R-Pa.) on Janu-

ary 18, 2024. e bill would amend the Energy Policy Ac t

of 2005 to address measuri ng methane emissions. It was re-

ferred to the Committee on Natura l Resources. 170 Cong.

Rec. H240 (daily ed. Jan. 18, 2024).

GOVERNANCE

S. 3606 (Nationa l Earthquake Hazards Reduc tion Pro-

gram Reaut horization Act of 2024) was introduced by Sen.

Alex Padilla (D-Cal.) on January 17, 2024. e bill would

reauthorize the Ear thquake Haz ards Reduction Act of 1977.

It was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science,

and Transportation. 170 Cong. Rec. S147 (daily ed. Jan. 17,

2024 ).

S. 3669 was introduce d by Sen. Edward Markey (D -Mass.)

on January 25, 2024. e bill would amend Title 23, U.S.

Code, to require transpor tation planners to consider projects

and strategies to reduce green house gas emissions. It was re-

ferred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

170 Cong. Rec. S269 (daily ed. Jan. 25, 2024).

NATURAL RESOURCES

S. 3704 w as introduced by Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) on Janu-

ary 31, 2024. e bill would amend the Natural Gas Act to

allow FERC to approve or deny applications for the siting,

construction, expansion, or operation of facilities to export

or import natural ga s. It was referred to the Committee on

Energy and Natura l Resources. 170 Cong. Rec. S309 (daily

ed. Jan. 31, 2024).

WATER

H.R. 7021 (Water Qualit y Criteria Development and

Transparency Act) was introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens

(R-Utah) on January 17, 2024. e bill would amend the

FWPCA with respect to the procedure for the development

of water quality criteria. It was referred to t he Committee

on Transportation and Infrastr ucture. 170 Cong. Rec. H188

(daily ed. Jan. 17, 2024).

H.R. 7065 (Priority for Water Supply and C onservation

Act of 2024) was introduced by Rep. Grace Napolita no

(D-Cal.) on January 22 , 2024. e bill would include water

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