hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Puts expiration dates on energy and natural resource regulations.
Rep. Goldman (D-TX) and a bipartisan group of co-sponsors.
Introduced in the House, awaiting committee review.
This bill mandates that many existing regulations from key energy and natural resource agencies, like the Department of Energy and the Bureau of Land Management, will expire within one year of the bill becoming law. New regulations from these agencies would expire after five years. Lead sponsor Representative Dan Goldman, a Democrat from Texas, introduced this bill with bipartisan support, and it has been sent to the House Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees for review. This means it's in the very early stages of the legislative process.
Introduced Feb 17, 2026
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 17, 2026, and assigned to the Energy and Commerce and Natural Resources Committees. Before it can be considered by the full House for a vote, these committees must review it, potentially amend it, and then vote to send it to the House floor. If it passes the House, it would then move to the Senate for a similar process, and eventually to the President to become law.
If this bill becomes law, you might notice that many government regulations covering energy production, resource extraction, and related environmental protections would have expiration dates. This means that agencies would need to actively review and renew rules periodically, rather than them remaining in effect indefinitely. It also requires public input before rules can be extended, giving individuals and industries more opportunities to weigh in on their costs and benefits.
Supporters Say
Believe it reduces regulatory burdens, promotes energy production, and makes government more accountable.
Critics Say
May worry it could weaken environmental protections, compromise safety standards, or create uncertainty for businesses.
Supporters of this bill would likely argue that it reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens on energy and natural resource industries, potentially leading to increased domestic energy production and economic growth. By requiring regulations to expire and be re-evaluated, they believe it increases government accountability and ensures rules remain relevant. Critics, however, might express concerns that automatically sunsetting regulations could weaken crucial environmental safeguards, compromise worker safety, or create instability for industries that rely on clear, long-standing rules, if these regulations are not properly reviewed and renewed.