Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8330
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:06:14Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8330: Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026
Purpose
This legislation aims to block lawsuits and state laws that seek to hold energy producers, refiners, transporters, distributors, marketers, manufacturers, or sellers liable for damages or other relief related to climate change from the use of their products. It seeks to support the development of affordable and reliable energy sources by preventing what the bill describes as efforts to impose liability through state actions.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Certain Lawsuits: No "climate suit" (defined as any legal action against energy businesses seeking damages, injunctions, or other relief for harms from climate change, including claims based on marketing or failure to warn) or action to enforce a state "energy penalty law" (a state rule requiring payments or liability for climate-related costs) may be filed or continued in federal or state courts.
- Dismissal of Existing Cases: Any such pending lawsuits must be immediately dismissed by the court.
- Invalidation of State Laws: All state energy penalty laws are declared void and without effect.
- Federal Exclusivity: The regulation of greenhouse gas emissions (gases like carbon dioxide that trap heat in the atmosphere) and climate change is reserved solely to federal law and agencies. No private claims based on state law for climate-related harms from emissions may be pursued.
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms such as "person engaged in the energy business" (entities involved in energy activities affecting interstate commerce), "qualified liability action" (climate suits or enforcement of penalty laws), and "State" (including states, territories, and their officials).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces new federal restrictions that override state authority in areas previously subject to state tort claims, consumer protection laws, or specific climate-related statutes.
- It establishes explicit federal preemption, meaning federal rules take priority over state efforts to address climate harms through liability actions, altering the balance where states have historically handled certain local environmental or consumer issues.
- It adds a retroactive element by requiring dismissal of ongoing cases and nullifying existing state laws on the topic.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies with authority over emissions would gain clearer exclusive control, potentially reducing overlapping state regulatory efforts. State and local governments could lose tools to seek compensation or impose requirements on energy companies.
- On Citizens: Individuals or communities pursuing claims for climate-related damages (such as from extreme weather) would face barriers to legal recourse against energy businesses. This could affect access to remedies for alleged harms but might support stable energy prices by reducing legal costs for producers.
- On International Relations: The bill does not directly address foreign entities but emphasizes U.S. energy self-sufficiency and national security, which could indirectly influence global energy trade by protecting domestic production.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Energy companies and their trade associations involved in mining, extracting, or selling fossil fuels.
- State and local governments, including officials seeking to enforce climate-related liability measures.
- Federal agencies responsible for energy and environmental regulation.
- Citizens, communities, and advocacy groups involved in climate-related legal actions.
- Courts at federal and state levels handling such cases.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill relies on Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution to regulate interstate commerce, asserting that state actions in this area burden national commerce and national security.
- It raises issues of federal versus state power, arguing that state liability efforts violate principles of fairness and equal state sovereignty.
- By preempting state laws and dismissing cases, it could face challenges regarding the scope of congressional power and the rights of states to address local harms.
- The legislation includes a severability clause to preserve the rest of the act if any part is found unconstitutional.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]
Cosponsors (16)
Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Schmidt, Derek [R-KS-2], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Davidson, Warren [R-OH-8], Rep. Begich, Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Gallagher, James [R-CA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-16: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-04-16: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-16: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (9 pages)