Bill · H.R. 677· House(119-HR-677)
EARA
- Introduced
- 1/23/2025
- Last activity
- 9/30/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Harriet Hageman
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The Expedited Appeals Review Act, or "EARA," creates a process to speed up the review of certain Department of the Interior decisions. Parties can notify the Board of Land Appeals that they want an expedited review. The Board must then issue a final decision within 6 months of that notice, though the deadline cannot be sooner than 18 months after the appeal was first filed. If the Board misses this deadline, the decision is considered a final agency action. In such cases, judicial review of the decision will be de novo. This law applies to appeals already pending or filed after the Act is passed.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
Significant benefit for business owners facing costly delays in land-use approvals.
Would farmers be better off under this?+5
Highly beneficial for agricultural operators dealing with DOI land appeals.
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?+4
Positive impact for those living and working on federal or leased land in rural areas.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
Expediting reviews may reduce the time available for thorough environmental impact considerations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Faster Decision Timelines: Under Section 2(a), parties can request an expedited review, forcing the Board of Land Appeals to issue a final decision within 6 months of the written notice. This reduces the time people must wait for a resolution.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Strict Deadlines Overriding Other Laws: Section 2(d) states that the deadlines in this Act will control even if they conflict with the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 or the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. This could override existing legal timelines provided in those specific acts.
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+5Good For Farmers+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Billionaires+2Good For High Income Households+2Good For High Net Worth Individuals+2Good For Ultra High Net Worth Individuals+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+4Improves Government Transparency+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+3Improves Rural Development+2Improves Environmental Protections-2
- 9/30/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2/12/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- 5/14/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 5/13/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1973)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1973)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 677.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1973-1974)
- Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 5/5/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-88.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
- 4/9/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
- 1/23/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House