Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4690
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:41:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act (H.R. 4690)
Purpose
This legislation aims to repeal specific federal standards for energy efficiency in federal buildings, particularly those restricting fossil fuel use, and to ensure green building certifications are not denied solely due to fossil fuel consumption. It promotes flexibility in federal building design and energy use.
Key Provisions
- Amendments to Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6834): Removes two specific subclauses (I and II) that imposed certain energy performance requirements; modifies the remaining subclause to prohibit denying green or high-performance green building certification based solely on direct or indirect fossil fuel use.
- Repeal of Regulations: Eliminates Subpart B of 10 CFR Parts 435 and 433 (federal building energy efficiency standards in effect before enactment).
- Transition Rule: Until the Secretary of Energy issues new regulations, the law is implemented as if the repealed subclauses never existed.
- Conforming Amendment to Energy Independence and Security Act (42 U.S.C. 17092): Adds a prohibition on denying green building certification solely due to fossil fuel consumption.
- Regulatory Timeline: Requires the Secretary of Energy to issue new or revised regulations within 180 days of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Repeals restrictive standards: Eliminates prior requirements (likely mandating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or all-electric designs for new federal buildings by 2025–2029, based on struck subclauses).
- Broadens certification eligibility: Explicitly allows fossil fuel use in certified green or high-performance federal buildings, overriding prior limitations.
- Shifts implementation: Reverts to less stringent standards during transition, pending DOE updates.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal entities (e.g., those constructing or renovating buildings) gain flexibility in energy choices, potentially reducing costs or improving reliability by allowing fossil fuels; DOE must update rules quickly.
- Citizens: Indirect effects via federal building operations, possibly lower taxpayer costs for energy-efficient projects but reduced emphasis on zero-emission goals.
- No direct international relations impact noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies (e.g., Department of Energy, General Services Administration) responsible for building standards and compliance.
- Building and construction industry: Benefits from fewer restrictions on energy systems.
- Energy sectors: Fossil fuel producers and users gain advantages; renewable energy advocates may face setbacks.
- Environmental groups: Potentially opposed due to relaxed emissions focus.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Directly alters statutory and regulatory frameworks for federal buildings, mandating DOE rulemaking; ensures consistency across related laws.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; falls under Congress's spending and property clause authority over federal buildings.
- Political: Signals a policy shift toward energy reliability over strict decarbonization mandates, likely sparking debate on climate vs. infrastructure priorities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Cosponsors (7)
Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-9]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-04-22: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-04-22: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 134). (text: CR H3057) (Roll call 134)
- 2026-04-22: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 215 - 202 (Roll no. 134). (Roll call 134)
- 2026-04-22: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 203 - 214 (Roll no. 133). (Roll call 133)
- 2026-04-22: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3062-3064)
- 2026-04-22: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 4690, the Chair put the question on the motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Sykes demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
- 2026-04-22: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
- 2026-04-22: Mrs. Sykes moved to recommit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. (CR H3061)
- 2026-04-22: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- 2026-04-22: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 4690.
- 2026-04-22: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
- 2026-04-22: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3057-3061)
- 2026-04-20: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
- 2026-02-04: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 413.
Bill Versions
- Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act — issued 2026-04-22 — PDF (6 pages)
- Reliable Federal infrastructure Act — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (4 pages)
- Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (4 pages)
- Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (6 pages)