Summary
Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act or the SPEED Act
This bill limits the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and modifies the environmental review of major federal actions under NEPA to generally limit the number of federal actions that trigger NEPA review and to expedite the review process.
For example, the bill redefines major federal actions, including to specify that an agency may not determine that an action is a major federal action based solely on the provision of federal funds.
It also excludes from the requirement for NEPA review certain proposed agency actions that have already been reviewed under another federal, state, or tribal environmental review statute that meets the requirements of NEPA.
The bill directs an agency, when preparing an environmental document for a proposed agency action, to consider only those effects proximately caused by the immediate project or action under consideration. Agencies may not consider effects that are speculative, attenuated from the project or action, separate in time or place from the project or action, or in relation to separate projects or actions.
The bill modifies the requirement for agencies to prepare an environmental assessment to apply to agency actions that are not likely to have a reasonably foreseeable significant effect on the quality of the human environment. (Currently, the requirement only applies to actions that do not have such an effect.)
The bill makes a variety of other modifications to NEPA, including by limiting judicial review of NEPA cases.
Legislative Journey
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
SenateMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
HouseOn passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 196 (Roll no. 356). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6037-6040)
HousePassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 196 (Roll no. 356).
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 211 (Roll no. 355).
HouseThe previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
HouseMs. Lee (NV) moved to recommit to the Committee on Natural Resources. (text: CR H6068)
HouseThe previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
HouseThe House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4776.
HouseThe House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
HouseConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6065-6069)
HouseCommittee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 4776 as unfinished business.
HouseOn motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
HouseMr. Westerman moved that the committee rise.
HousePOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Roy amendment No. 6, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
HouseDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 951, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Roy amendment No. 6.
HousePOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Roy amendment No. 5, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
HouseDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 951, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Roy amendment No. 5.
HousePOSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Clyde amendment No. 1, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Huffman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
HouseDEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 951, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Clyde amendment No. 1.
HouseGENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole resumed general debate on H.R. 4776.
HouseGENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4776.
HouseHouse resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 951 and Rule XVIII.
HouseThe Speaker designated the Honorable Carol D. Miller to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
HouseRule provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632 and H.R. 4371. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, under a structured rule and H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632, and H.R. 4371 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one motion to recommit on each bill.
HouseConsidered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 951. (consideration: CR H6029-6044)
HouseRules Committee Resolution H. Res. 951 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632 and H.R. 4371. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4776, under a structured rule and H.R. 1366, H.R. 845, H.R. 3616, H.R. 3632, and H.R. 4371 under a closed rule. The resolution provides one motion to recommit on each bill.
HouseSupplemental report filed by the Committee on Natural Resources, H. Rept. 119-395, Part II.
HouseSupplemental report filed by the Committee on Natural Resources, H. Rept. 119-395, Part II.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 344.
HouseReported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-395.
HouseReported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-395.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 18.
HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
HouseCommittee Hearings Held
HouseReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
HouseIntroduced in House
Introduced in House