What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods. The bill also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines extended under this bill, effective as of the date they expire.
Vote Breakdown · How Congress voted on S.1020
House
394-14
PASSED
Democrats
206 yea
0 nay
Republicans
186 yea
14 nay
Independents
2 yea
0 nay
⚠️ 12 members broke with party on this vote
Action Timeline
2026-04-21
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-04-21
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 14 (Roll no. 129). (text: CR H3024)
2026-04-21
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 14 (Roll no. 129). (text: CR H3024)
2026-04-21
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3026-3027)
2026-04-21
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2026-04-21
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1020.
2026-04-21
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3024-3025)
2026-04-21
Mrs. Harshbarger moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2025-08-01
Held at the desk.
2025-08-01
Received in the House.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did S.1020 pass?
Yes. S.1020 (A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.) was enacted into law. Bill stage: ENACTED.
What does S.1020 do?
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods. The bill also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines exten…
Who sponsored S.1020?
S.1020 was sponsored by Steve Daines (R-Montana).
Who voted against S.1020?
12 members broke with their party on this vote. Notably, Sheri Biggs (R) voted nay.
Full Bill Text
S1020 ENR: To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects. U.S. Senate 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. One Hundred Nineteenth Congress of the United States of America 2d Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Saturday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty six S. 1020 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects. 1. Extension of time to commence construction of certain hydropower projects (a) Definition of covered project In this section, the term covered project means a hydropower project with respect to which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a license before March 13, 2020. (b) Authorization of extension Notwithstanding section 13 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 806 ), on the request of a licensee of a covered project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may, after reasonable notice and for good cause shown, extend in accordance with subsection (c) the period during which the licensee is required to commence construction of the covered project for not more than an additional 6 years beyond the 8 years authorized by that section. (c) Period of extension An extension of time to commence construction of a covered project under subsection (b) shall— (1) consist of not more than 3 consecutive 2-year periods; (2) begin on the date on which the final extension of the period for commencement of construction granted to the licensee under section 13 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 806 ) expires; and (3) end on the date that is not more than 6 years after the latest date to which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is authorized to extend the period for commencement of construction under that section. (d) Reinstatement of Expired License If the time period required under section 13 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 806 ) to commence construction of a covered project expires after December 31, 2023, and before the date of enactment of this Act— (1) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may reinstate the license for the applicable project effective as of the date of expiration of the license; and (2) the extension authorized under subsection (b) shall take effect on the date of that expiration. Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate
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