S. 1020 · Where this bill is now
Became law
Public Law 119-90, May 11, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryExtends hydropower project construction deadlines
This bill gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permission to let hydropower companies extend their construction deadlines. Instead of the eight-year extension FERC can already offer, this bill allows an additional six years—broken into three two-year periods—for projects that received licenses before March 13, 2020. The bill also lets FERC bring back certain licenses that have already expired, if the deadlines were extended under this new rule.
How it affects you
This change mainly affects hydropower companies and investors working on licensed projects. If you live near a planned hydropower project that was delayed, this gives the project more time to begin construction before losing its license to operate.
Read the official summary (Public Law, May 11, 2026)
This act authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods.
The act also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines extended under this act, effective as of the date they expire.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1020
AN ACT
A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.
Sponsor: Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) · Introduced Mar 13, 2025 · Energy · 3 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action May 11, 2026: “Became Public Law No: 119-90.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsHouse · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Apr 21, 2026
Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 394–14
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 207 | 0 | 6 |
| Independents | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 186 | 14 | 16 |
14 members voted against most of their party: 14 Republicans voted No.
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 3 official versions.