Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB1449

Introduced
5/4/23  

Caption

RESTART Act Revitalizing the Economy by Simplifying Timelines and Assuring Regulatory Transparency Act

Impact

The bill represents a significant shift in federal environmental law; it modifies how environmental reviews are conducted and places stricter deadlines on agencies in charge of these processes. Critics argue that the expedited permitting and review process could undermine environmental protections by reducing the thoroughness of assessments. Proponents, however, contend that the changes are necessary for economic development and energy infrastructure improvements, allowing for faster project completion without unnecessary delays often tied to environmental regulations.

Summary

SB1449, also known as the Revitalizing the Economy by Simplifying Timelines and Assuring Regulatory Transparency Act (RESTART Act), is designed to overhaul the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to streamline and modernize the environmental review process for federal projects. This bill proposes a series of amendments that aim to shorten the timeline for environmental reviews and approve projects in a more expedient manner. It includes provisions that would expedite the completion of specific projects, such as the Mountain Valley Pipeline, by mandating that relevant federal agencies issue necessary permits within a designated timeframe after the bill's enactment.

Contention

Notable points of contention arise primarily from the bill's impact on environmental protections, the speed of permit approvals, and the limits placed on judicial reviews of agency decisions related to projects like the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The bill proposes to eliminate certain judicial recourse for stakeholders challenging federal actions, which raises concerns among environmentalists and local communities about the potential for harm to ecosystems and public health. The tension lies in balancing economic benefits and infrastructure needs with the environmental accountability that NEPA was established to ensure.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US SB839

Regulatory Transparency Act of 2023

US SB1630

SOAR Act Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act

US HB1527

SOAR Act Simplifying Outdoor Access for Recreation Act

US HB4823

American Financial Institution Regulatory Sovereignty and Transparency Act of 2023

US HB3556

Increasing Financial Regulatory Accountability and Transparency Act

US SB1476

Pharmaceutical Research Transparency Act of 2023

US HB3160

Pharmaceutical Research Transparency Act of 2023

US SB1160

Financial Regulators Transparency Act of 2023

US HB2798

CFPB Transparency and Accountability Reform Act Transparency in CFPB Cost-Benefit Analysis Act CFPB Dual Mandate and Economic Analysis Act CFPB Whistleblower Incentives and Protection Act Making the CFPB Accountable to Small Businesses Act of 2023 CFPB–IG Reform Act of 2023 Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection-Inspector General Reform Act of 2023 TABS Act of 2023 Taking Account of Bureaucrats’ Spending Act of 2023

US HB1335

TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act

Similar Bills

US HB3746

Administrative Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2023

US HB1

Lower Energy Costs Act This bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to (1) expedite energy projects, (2) eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and (3) eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill expedites the development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, including by waiving environmental review requirements and other specified requirements under certain environmental laws, eliminating certain restrictions on the import and export of oil and natural gas, prohibiting the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources), directing the Department of the Interior to conduct sales for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters as specified by the bill, and limiting the authority of the President and executive agencies to restrict or delay the development of energy on federal land. In addition, the bill reduces royalties for oil and gas development on federal land and eliminates charges on methane emissions. It also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.

US HB1335

TAPP American Resources Act Transparency, Accountability, Permitting, and Production of American Resources Act

US SB1804

FASTER Act of 2023 Facilitating America's Siting of Transmission and Electric Reliability Act of 2023

US HB1577

Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews Act of 2023 BUILDER Act of 2023

US SB1521

Community and Hydropower Improvement Act

US SB1456

SPUR Act Spur Permitting of Underdeveloped Resources Act

US SB2228

Building Chips in America Act of 2023