119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5048


To amend the Federal Power Act to modernize the hydropower licensing process, and for other purposes.


IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 21, 2026

Mr. Daines (for himself, Mr. Risch, and Ms. Murkowski) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources


A BILL

To amend the Federal Power Act to modernize the hydropower licensing process, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act”.

SEC. 2. Ensuring proper scope of Federal reservation license conditions.

Section 4(e) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 797(e)) is amended, in the first proviso, by inserting “to reasonably mitigate the direct adverse effect of the applicable project on such reservation, so as to provide” after “deem necessary”.

SEC. 3. Ensuring proper scope of prescribed fishways.

Section 18 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 811) is amended, in the first sentence, by inserting “, to reasonably mitigate the direct adverse effect of the applicable project on the population of a species of fish in the applicable river system” before the period at the end.