Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 359
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-11T00:53:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025 (H.R. 359) aims to promote transparency and oversight in how the Department of Energy (DOE) uses its authority to reduce or waive cost-sharing requirements for certain energy research, development, and demonstration projects. Cost-sharing refers to the portion of project costs that recipients (like businesses or universities) must contribute when receiving federal funding; waiving this can make federal support more accessible but requires accountability to ensure responsible use of taxpayer money.
Key Provisions
- Reporting Mandate: The Secretary of Energy must submit detailed reports on the DOE's use of authority to reduce or eliminate cost-sharing under specific existing rules (subsections (b)(3) and (c)(2) of Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005).
- Timeline and Format:
- Initial report due within 120 days of the Act's enactment.
- Subsequent reports at least quarterly thereafter.
- Distribution: Reports are submitted to four congressional committees (House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; House Committee on Appropriations; Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; Senate Committee on Appropriations) and made publicly available online.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This Act amends Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) by adding a new subsection (g) specifically for reporting.
- Previously, the DOE had flexibility to waive cost-sharing without mandatory, regular reporting to Congress or the public; this introduces structured, ongoing disclosure to track and justify such decisions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The DOE will face increased administrative burdens to compile and submit reports, potentially leading to more rigorous internal tracking of funding decisions. This could enhance efficiency in energy project approvals by standardizing waiver processes.
- On Citizens: Greater public access to information on federal spending promotes taxpayer accountability, allowing scrutiny of how energy research funds are allocated without requiring private contributions.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could indirectly support U.S. competitiveness in global energy innovation by ensuring transparent funding for collaborative projects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Energy (DOE): Primary entity responsible for compliance and reporting.
- Congressional Committees: Gain tools for oversight of energy R&D funding.
- Funding Recipients: Businesses, universities, and nonprofits involved in DOE-supported energy projects may experience more predictable waiver processes but could face indirect pressure to justify cost-share reductions.
- Taxpayers and the Public: Benefit from transparency in how federal dollars are used for energy initiatives.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens administrative law by mandating transparency in executive agency actions, aligning with broader federal requirements for reporting under laws like the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act. No new enforcement mechanisms are added, so compliance relies on existing congressional oversight.
- Constitutional: Supports separation of powers by empowering Congress to monitor executive spending, without raising separation of powers concerns.
- Political: Encourages bipartisan accountability in energy policy, potentially reducing controversy over "corporate welfare" in federal grants; it could influence future budgets by highlighting waiver trends, but it avoids substantive changes to funding authority, focusing solely on reporting.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-25: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-24: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-03-24: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 0 (Roll no. 72). (text: CR H1196) (Roll call 72)
- 2025-03-24: 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): 405 - 0 (Roll no. 72). (text: CR H1196) (Roll call 72)
- 2025-03-24: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1213)
- 2025-03-24: 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.
- 2025-03-24: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 359.
- 2025-03-24: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1196-1197)
- 2025-03-24: Mr. Babin moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-01-13: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-01-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-01-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (4 pages)
- Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-13 — PDF (2 pages)
- Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-25 — PDF (2 pages)