Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4835
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-01: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-18T16:59:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled the Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act, amends the Defense Production Act of 1950. Its goal is to prohibit discrimination based on energy source when the President exercises certain authorities under titles I and III of that Act.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The bill is officially named the "Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act."
- Amendment to Title I: It modifies section 101(c)(1) by adding the phrase "other than for purposes of environmental protection" after references to domestic energy supplies. This limits the scope of authorities related to energy supplies.
- New Section in Title III: It adds section 306, which states that the President may not deny financial support under sections 301, 302, or 303 based on a person's involvement in the exploration, development, production, utilization, transportation, or sale of fossil fuel-based energy. An exception allows such denial if it relates directly to the production of energy.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The Defense Production Act previously allowed broader use of authorities for domestic energy supplies without explicit exclusions for environmental protection.
- Title III now includes an explicit ban on energy source-based discrimination in financial support decisions, which did not exist before.
- These changes introduce limits on executive discretion in applying the Act to energy-related matters.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Federal agencies responsible for defense production and resource allocation, such as those under the Department of Defense or economic policy offices, would face new restrictions on how they prioritize or fund energy projects.
- Citizens: Individuals and businesses in the energy sector could see more even treatment in federal support programs, potentially affecting access to resources or contracts.
- International Relations: The changes might influence U.S. energy export policies or partnerships by requiring neutral treatment of energy sources in defense-related decisions, though no direct international provisions are included.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Energy producers and companies, especially those involved in fossil fuels.
- The executive branch, including the President and relevant federal agencies.
- Congress, as the body overseeing amendments to the Defense Production Act.
- Defense contractors and industries reliant on prioritized materials or funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill limits presidential authority under the Defense Production Act, which is typically used for national defense emergencies, potentially raising questions about the balance of powers between branches of government.
- It promotes a policy of neutrality toward energy sources in federal decision-making, which could affect how laws are interpreted in future disputes.
- No direct constitutional conflicts are stated in the text, but the restrictions on executive actions represent a statutory constraint on existing emergency powers.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-01: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-01: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Strategic Resources Non-discrimination Act — issued 2025-08-01 — PDF (2 pages)