U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB5631: Geothermal Energy Advancement Act
Status: Passed one chamber, September 17, 2026
To appoint a Geothermal Ombudsman and establish a Geothermal Permitting Task Force from within the Bureau of Land Management, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
An act To promote responsible geothermal energy development on public lands, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, September 17, 2026:
AN ACT To promote responsible geothermal energy development on public lands, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act . SECTION 2. Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing Section 4 of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 ( 30 U.S.C. 1003 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (h) Effect of pending civil actions on processing applications related to geothermal leasing (1) Requirement to process applications Notwithstanding the existence of any pending civil action that affects an application for a geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or any other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease, the Secretary shall, unless a United States Federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the applicable geothermal lease, geothermal drilling permit, sundry notice, notice to proceed, right-of-way, or other authorization, approve and issue, or deny, each such application not later than 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable Federal laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and division A of subtitle III of title 54, United States Code. (2) No new authority for Federal courts Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as modifying any existing authority of a …
Sponsors
- Jeff Hurd (R, HD-003) · primary sponsor
- Suzanne Lee (D, HD-NV-3)
- Celeste Maloy (R, HD-002)
- Mike Kennedy (R, HD-UT-3)
- Yassamin Ansari (D, HD-003)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D, HD-014)
Latest actions
- : Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 663.
- : Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
- : Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- : Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
- : Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- : Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H3760-3761)
- : The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- : Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- : On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
- : Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3760-3765)
Subjects: Energy, Earth sciences, Licensing and registrations, Department of the Interior, Advisory bodies, Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management, Congressional oversight
Common questions
- What is HB5631?
- HB5631 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Geothermal Energy Advancement Act.
- What does HB5631 do?
- In its own words: An act To promote responsible geothermal energy development on public lands, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB5631?
- Passed one chamber as of September 17, 2026. Latest action: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 663. (September 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB5631?
- Jeff Hurd (R, HD-003), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB5631?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5631
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.