SPEED Act
House Committee Advances SPEED Act to Fast-Track Federal Permitting Reviews
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
221–196
Key Points
- Says the environmental review law is mainly about process, not guaranteeing any specific environmental result.
- Lets federal agencies rely more on reviews done under other federal laws, or by states and tribes, instead of starting from scratch.
- Sets tighter timelines for permit reviews, like 60 days to say if an application is complete and 30 days to issue a final decision after the review.
- Limits what impacts agencies must study to effects closely tied to the project, and says agencies don’t have to wait for new studies that appear later.
- Makes it harder and faster to sue over environmental reviews: shorter filing window, stricter rules on who can sue, and courts usually send fixes back without stopping projects.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Federal employees at agencies like the EPA, Interior Department, Army Corps of Engineers, and others who conduct environmental reviews face significant changes to how they do their work. The bill imposes strict new deadlines at every step of the review process, limits what effects they can study, restricts their ability to require new scientific research, and prevents them from revoking permits except under narrow circumstances. This represents a major shift in their professional discretion and day-to-day responsibilities.
Milestones
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 196 (Roll no. 356). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H6037-6040)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 196 (Roll no. 356).
The House of Representatives voted to approve this bill. It now goes to the Senate.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 206 - 211 (Roll no. 355).
Vote Results
5 votesOn Agreeing to the Amendment
An amendment to elect officers of the House.
On Agreeing to the Amendment
An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 119-1 to strike carbon sequestration and ecosystem services prioritization from section 301 biochar demonstration projects.
On Agreeing to the Amendment
An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 119-1 to allow the U.S. Forest Service to approve the removal of hazardous trees near power lines on federal land without requiring a timber sale, easing a serious threat that has in the past been a major cause of destructive wildfires.
Related News
8 articles
House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects
The House passed the SPEED Act (221-196) to accelerate NEPA permitting, broaden exemptions, and narrow judicial challenges; critics say it weakens environmental safeguards and public input.
House backs bill to speed permitting reviews for new energy and infrastructure projects
Coverage of House passage of the SPEED Act: statutory deadlines, more exclusions from review, and tighter limits on who can sue and what remedies courts can order.
House passes SPEED Act to speed permits, limit court challenges
Reports House passage of H.R. 4776 to accelerate NEPA reviews and limit judicial review; includes industry support and opposition from environmental/community groups.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
SPEED Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(14)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.