To amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes.

Bill Number: H.R. 1346
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Environmental Protection
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-05-14: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T20:54:12Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation amends the Clean Air Act to expand the use of E15 fuel (gasoline blended with 10 to 15 percent ethanol) on a year-round basis by adjusting volatility rules. It also reforms the Renewable Fuel Standard program to adjust requirements and exemptions for smaller fuel producers.

Key Provisions

Modifies rules on fuel volatility to permit E15 sales during all seasons, including summer, while maintaining other Clean Air Act standards.
Creates a new definition for a "small refining company" based on average daily production of 75,000 barrels or less in 2025.
Ends most exemptions for small refineries under the Renewable Fuel Standard starting in 2028 but reduces their compliance obligations by 75 percent.
Restores certain retired compliance credits for small refineries from 2016 through 2018.
Prohibits reallocating renewable fuel obligations from small refineries to other companies.
Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to update labeling and storage tank rules for E15 within 18 months.
Establishes a limited, temporary exemption process for small refineries facing closure risk due to compliance costs, capped at the energy equivalent of 150 million gallons of conventional biofuel in 2028 and adjusted thereafter.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Removes prior seasonal limits on ethanol content for volatility compliance, allowing broader year-round E15 availability.
Replaces broad small-refinery exemptions with a reduced compliance pathway and a narrow at-risk exemption option.
Introduces deadlines that limit future exemption petitions and require prompt agency action on remaining ones.
Updates notification processes for states seeking volatility adjustments to cover 10 to 15 percent ethanol blends.

Potential Impacts

Government agencies: The Environmental Protection Agency must conduct new rulemaking, review petitions, and enforce adjusted obligations, increasing administrative workload.
Citizens: Consumers may gain more consistent access to E15 fuel, which can affect pump prices and vehicle compatibility depending on regional infrastructure.
International relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Fuel producers: Smaller refineries receive partial relief from renewable fuel requirements but face an eventual end to full exemptions.

Main Stakeholders

Small refining companies and their affiliated entities.
Ethanol producers and suppliers seeking expanded market access.
The Environmental Protection Agency as the implementing agency.
State governors and environmental regulators involved in volatility notifications.
Consumers and vehicle owners using blended fuels.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill creates new public disclosure requirements for certain exemption petitions, removing confidentiality protections.
It establishes volume caps on exemptions to limit overall impact on the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Changes apply prospectively with savings provisions that preserve remedies for prior petitions under previous rules.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3]

Cosponsors (55)

Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4], Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4], Rep. Taylor, David [R-OH-2], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Guest, Michael [R-MS-3], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8], Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1], Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2], Rep. Shreve, Jefferson [R-IN-6], Rep. Messmer, Mark [R-IN-8], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. McClain Delaney, April [D-MD-6], Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4], Rep. Wied, Tony [R-WI-8], Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large] and 5 more

Recent Actions

2026-05-14: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
2026-05-13: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-05-13: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 203 (Roll no. 164). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3421-3422) (Roll call 164)
2026-05-13: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 203 (Roll no. 164). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3421-3422) (Roll call 164)
2026-05-13: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 112 - 309 (Roll no. 163). (Roll call 163)
2026-05-13: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3435-3436)
2026-05-13: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 1346, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Perry demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2026-05-13: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
2026-05-13: Mr. Perry moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (text: CR H3428)
2026-05-13: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-05-13: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1346.
2026-05-13: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.
2026-05-13: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1224. (consideration: CR H3421-3428)
2026-04-29: Rule H. Res. 1224 passed House.
2026-04-29: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1224 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318 and H.R. 1346. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 7567 under a structured rule and H.R. 2616, S. Con. Res. 33, S. 1318, and H.R. 1346 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 7567, H.R. 2616, and H.R. 1346, and one motion to commit on S. 1318.

Bill Versions

An Act To amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-05-13 — PDF (20 pages)
Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (7 pages)
An Act To amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (18 pages)