Bill · H.R. 9616· House(119-HR-9616)
EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/9/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- August Pfluger
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026. It directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to create a program to investigate, evaluate, and support ways to find and recover critical materials from contaminated sites. The Administrator can provide help such as contracts, cooperative agreements, and awards to people, as well as State, local, and Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations. There are strict money limits on this help, capping total assistance at $10,000,000 in any fiscal year and individual assistance at $3,000,000. Applications for this help will be judged based on specific criteria like advancing domestic supply chains, supporting site cleanups, and protecting human health and the environment. Finally, the program is set to end 10 years after it is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 31
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+6
The bill specifically targets the remediation of contaminated sites and requires the protection of human health and the environment.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
Contaminated sites are often located near low-income communities; remediation improves their health and safety.
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
Provides funding and contracts for businesses specializing in environmental technology and recovery.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(d)(4): This provision focuses on supporting the cleanup of contaminated sites, especially those on the National Priorities List. This is a positive outcome because cleaning up polluted areas directly benefits the health and safety of nearby communities.
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Section 2(d)(5): This criteria looks at the extent to which assistance protects human health and the environment. This is beneficial because it ensures that the projects funded by the program actively work to keep people safe from environmental hazards.
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Section 2(b) and Section 2(d)(3): The Administrator is allowed to provide assistance to various entities to strengthen national security through domestic critical material supply chains. This is a positive step for building up domestic resources and supporting local organizations, State, local, and Tribal governments, and nonprofits through awards and contracts.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(c): The bill places strict financial limits on the program, capping total yearly spending at $10,000,000 and individual awards at $3,000,000. This could be seen as a burden or negative limitation because it restricts the amount of financial help available to fix widespread contamination issues and recover critical materials.
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+4Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Children+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Asian Americans+2Good For Farmers+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Middle Class Households+2Good For Seniors+2Good For Students+2Good For Union Workers+2Good For White Americans+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For High Income Households+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+6Improves Public Land Management+3Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3Improves Rural Development+2Reduces Carbon Emissions+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Improves Small Business Support+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+2Increases Federal Power+1
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+3
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+2
- 9/16/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 9/15/2026
- 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 Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5682)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 9616.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5682-5683)
- Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 9/14/2026
- Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-821.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 720.
- 7/21/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
- 7/20/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 7/14/2026
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 7/9/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio