What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Expedited Appeals Review Act or the EARA This bill authorizes a party that files an appeal of a Department of the Interior decision with the Interior Board of Land Appeals to submit a written request for expedited review of the appeal. (The mission of the board is to provide an impartial forum within Interior for the resolution of disputes involving public lands and natural resources under Interior's jurisdiction.) If a party submits such a request, the board must issue a final decision on the appeal not later than six months after the date on which the request for expedited review was received. However, the deadline may not be earlier than 18 months after the date on which the appeal was initially filed with the board. If the deadline for expedited review is not met, Interior's decision is deemed a final agency action and is subject to de novo judicial review (i.e., without deference to the agency's decision). This bill applies to appeals pending as of the date of enactment of this bill and appeals filed after the date of enactment.
Action Timeline
2026-02-12
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
2025-05-14
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
2025-05-13
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-05-13
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1973)
2025-05-13
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)
2025-05-13
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 677.
2025-05-13
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1973-1974)
2025-05-13
Mr. Westerman moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025-05-05
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 63.
2025-05-05
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-88.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.677 pass?
HR.677 is still alive. Current stage: PASSED_ONE. Pass likelihood: 14%.
What does HR.677 do?
Expedited Appeals Review Act or the EARA This bill authorizes a party that files an appeal of a Department of the Interior decision with the Interior Board of Land Appeals to submit a written request for expedited review of the appeal. (The mission of the board is to provide an impartial forum within Interior for the resolution of disputes involving public lands and natural resources under Interior's jurisdiction.) If a party submits such a request, the board must issue a final decision on the appeal not later than six months after the date on which the request for expedited review was receive…
Who sponsored HR.677?
HR.677 was sponsored by Harriet M. Hageman (R-Wyoming).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 677 EH: Expedited Appeals Review Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 677 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To establish a process to expedite the review of appeals of certain decisions by the Department of the Interior. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expedited Appeals Review Act or the EARA . 2. Expedited reviews (a) Request for expedited review A party that files an appeal of a Department of the Interior decision described under section 4.1(b)(2) of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations), with the Board of Land Appeals may submit to the Board of Land Appeals written notice of such party’s intent to seek expedited review of the appeal. If a party submits such written notice, the Board of Land Appeals shall issue a final decision on the appeal by not later than the date that is 6 months after the date on which such written notice is received, except such deadline may not be earlier than the date that is 18 months after the date on which the appeal was initially filed with the Board of Land Appeals. (b) No final decision If the Board of Land Appeals does not issue a final decision on an appeal by the deadline described in subsection (a)— (1) the Department of the Interior decision is deemed to be a final agency action for purposes of section 704 of title 5, United States Code; and (2) notwithstanding section 706 of title 5, United States Code, judicial review of such decision shall be de novo. (c) Applicability This section shall apply to any appeal described in subsection (a) that— (1) is pending before the Board of Land Appeals as of the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) is filed with the Board of Land Appeals after the date of enactment of this Act. (d) Conflict In the event of a conflict between the deadline described in subsection (a) and a deadline under section 115(h) of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 ( 30 U.S.C. 1724(h) ) or section 525(b) of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 ( 30 U.S.C. 1275(b) ), the deadline described in subsection (a) shall control. Passed the House of Representatives May 13, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
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