Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4496
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-17: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-11T17:16:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025" (H.R. 4496) aims to provide funding and strategic planning to repair, upgrade, and modernize the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Laboratories. These labs conduct critical research in science, energy, and national security. The goal is to address overdue maintenance, improve infrastructure, and support future scientific missions.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "National Laboratory" refers to DOE-managed research facilities as defined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
- "Secretary" means the Secretary of Energy.
- Funding for Restoration and Modernization:
- The Secretary must fund projects to tackle deferred maintenance (overdue repairs), critical infrastructure needs, and overall modernization of National Laboratories.
- Eligible projects include:
- Priority repairs and upgrades to research labs, administrative buildings, utilities, roads, power plants, and other essential infrastructure.
- Modernization efforts to support current and future science missions, such as advanced user facilities (specialized research tools for scientists) and computing systems, while ensuring safe, reliable, and environmentally sustainable operations.
- Annual reporting: Starting with the President's budget submission, the Secretary must provide Congress (specific committees in the House and Senate) with a list of funded projects through fiscal year (FY) 2030, including project descriptions and funding details.
- Authorization: $5 billion per year is authorized for FY 2026 through 2030. At least one-third of funds each year must be managed by DOE's Office of Science.
- Strategy for Facilities and Infrastructure:
- Requires DOE to develop and implement a cost-effective strategy for facilities managed by key offices: Office of Science, Office of Environmental Management, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, Office of Nuclear Energy, and National Nuclear Security Administration's science programs.
- The strategy covers maintaining existing facilities, closing unnecessary ones, modifying structures, and building new ones to meet current and future needs.
- Reporting requirement: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must submit a detailed report to Congress on the strategy, including:
- Priority lists of projects with costs, schedules, and funding sources.
- A 10-year plan for reconfiguring labs and facilities to align with missions, reduce long-term costs, and maximize return on investment.
- Estimates of required funding and how it will be allocated across budgets.
- Details on planning processes, data used, project prioritization, and stakeholder involvement.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 993 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16357) by fully replacing it with a new, expanded provision. The original section focused narrowly on DOE science facilities; the update broadens it to include multiple DOE offices, single-purpose research facilities, and a comprehensive 10-year planning framework with detailed reporting to ensure better alignment with missions and fiscal responsibility.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: DOE and its labs will gain substantial resources to reduce maintenance backlogs and enhance research capabilities, potentially improving efficiency and safety. This could streamline operations across DOE offices but may increase administrative burdens due to reporting requirements.
- Citizens: Indirect benefits include advancements in energy technologies, scientific discoveries, and environmental sustainability, which could lead to innovations in renewable energy, computing, and national security—ultimately supporting economic growth and public welfare.
- International Relations: Strengthens U.S. leadership in global science and energy research by modernizing facilities, potentially enhancing competitiveness against international rivals in areas like clean energy and advanced computing.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- DOE and National Laboratories: Primary recipients of funding and strategic oversight, including 17 major labs like Argonne and Los Alamos.
- Congressional Committees: House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; and Appropriations Committees—responsible for reviewing reports and authorizing funds.
- DOE Offices: Office of Science (guaranteed funding share), plus offices for environmental management, energy efficiency, fossil energy, nuclear energy, and nuclear security.
- Researchers and Scientists: Benefit from improved facilities for conducting experiments and developing technologies.
- Taxpayers: Fund the initiative through authorized appropriations, with potential long-term savings from efficient infrastructure.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes mandatory funding authorizations (subject to annual appropriations by Congress) and enforceable reporting deadlines, promoting accountability without altering constitutional balances. No major challenges to separation of powers, as it directs executive action with legislative oversight.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under Article I to appropriate funds and regulate federal agencies, ensuring DOE's infrastructure supports national interests in science and energy.
- Political: Represents a bipartisan investment in federal research infrastructure (introduced by members from both parties), potentially fostering support for science funding amid debates on federal spending. It emphasizes fiscal prudence through 10-year planning and return-on-investment metrics, which could influence future budget negotiations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-17: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 2025-07-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-17 — PDF (6 pages)