Bill · S. 3500· Senate(119-S-3500)
Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act
- Introduced
- 12/16/2025
- Last activity
- 6/10/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Catherine Cortez Masto
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act" amends the Federal Power Act. It requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to provide an annual report to Congress. This report must cover the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing applications. It includes details on new, subsequent, and original licenses that have been pending for at least three years.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+8
The bill explicitly requires an annual report to Congress on licensing status, increasing agency accountability.
Would business owners be better off under this?+3
Energy companies and project developers benefit from clearer timelines and increased transparency in the licensing process.
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+2
The bill includes Indian Tribes as entities in the licensing process and requires reporting on their applications.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Accountability: By requiring the Commission to submit an annual report to Congress, the bill ensures officials are tracking the progress of hydropower licenses (SEC. 2).
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Public Information: The report must include specific details such as docket numbers, application status, anticipated issuance dates, and upcoming meeting dates, which provides clarity on the process (SEC. 2(b)).
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Agency Oversight: The bill requires a description of ongoing or completed actions needed from various groups, including the Commission, fish and wildlife agencies, and other applicable agencies (SEC. 2(b)(6)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals or groups of people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+8
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+3Good For Native Americans+2Good For Rural Residents+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+2Improves Rural Development+1Reduces Carbon Emissions+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 12/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana