Full Committee Markup

The House Committee on Natural Resources GOP held a full committee markup on May 15, 2026, focusing primarily on energy and infrastructure legislation. The committee considered HR 7487, the Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act, which aims to streamline the permitting process for nonfederal hydropower development on Bureau of Reclamation projects by eliminating duplicative reviews between FERC and the Bureau of Reclamation. The bill seeks to create rural jobs and expand clean energy production by giving exclusive permitting authority to the Bureau of Reclamation. The committee debated concerns about maintaining environmental and tribal protections currently enforced under FERC's Federal Power Act licensing process, with an amendment proposed to preserve these safeguards ultimately rejected. The bill was favorably reported out of committee. Additionally, the committee unanimously approved several other bills, including reauthorizations for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Act and the License to Drill Act, which extends fees for oil and gas drilling permits to ensure adequate staffing for timely permit processing. These measures collectively aim to improve energy infrastructure, support rural and tribal communities, and enhance federal permitting efficiency.