Bill · H.R. 6352· House(119-HR-6352)
CLEAR Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/2/2025
- Last activity
- 12/2/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Troy Balderson
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The CLEAR Act of 2025 aims to prevent repeat litigation regarding energy projects. It defines energy projects to include facilities for electric energy, fossil fuels, and critical minerals. Under this bill, once a legal action regarding an energy project is finally adjudicated, no subsequent legal actions can be brought against that project. The law limits the ability of courts to review agency decisions by requiring a finding of abused substantial discretion. Additionally, it sets specific timelines and requirements for filing legal actions.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would business owners be better off under this?+6
The single action rule provides significant legal protections and certainty for project sponsors and developers.
Does this give the federal government more power?+5
The bill increases the power of Federal agencies by requiring courts to defer to their factual determinations and limiting the scope of judicial review.
Is this likely to create jobs?+3
By reducing litigation risks for energy projects, the bill provides more certainty for project development and construction.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-5
The bill limits judicial review and imposes strict filing requirements that could hinder environmental groups from challenging energy projects.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-4
The bill restricts the ability of parties to bring legal challenges through strict timelines and a higher standard of review for agency actions.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?-2
The bill may limit the ability of rural communities to challenge large-scale energy projects impacting their local areas.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Project Certainty for Sponsors: The "Single action rule" provides that once a legal action is finally adjudicated, no subsequent claims can be brought regarding the same project, regardless of the identity of the parties or the form of relief sought (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Efficiency in Agency Review: If a court finds an agency failed to comply with procedural requirements, the court must provide specific instructions to correct errors with a deadline that may not exceed 180 days, and the authorization remains in effect while those corrections are made (Section 3(c)).
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Protection for Landowners: The bill explicitly excludes legal claims brought by a landowner seeking the fair market value of property acquired through eminent domain authority from the definition of a barred "legal action" (Section 2(a)(4)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduced Judicial Oversight: Courts are required to defer to a Federal agency and may not substitute their own judgment for the agency's regarding factual determinations or the scope of review (Section 3(b)).
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Higher Bar for Challenging Agencies: A court can only hold that an agency failed to follow procedural requirements if it determines the agency abused its substantial discretion (Section 3(a)).
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Strict Filing Requirements: Legal actions are barred unless they are filed no later than 150 days after the final agency action is made public (Section 3(d)(1)).
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Limitations on Public Input: For authorizations involving a public comment period, a party can only bring a legal action if they previously submitted a substantive, unique, and sufficiently detailed comment that put the agency on notice and showed potential direct harm (Section 3(d)(2)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+6Good For Rural Residents-2
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Small Business Support+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3Improves Roads And Bridges+1Improves Environmental Protections-5
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5Improves Due Process-4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Veterans Benefits+1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing-1
- 12/2/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.