EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026
Introduced Jul 9, 2026 by Rep. August Pfluger
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This provides statutory authority for an initiative within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that recovers critical materials from contaminated sites.
A critical material means (1) any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material that the Department of Energy determines has a high risk of a supply chain disruption and serves an essential function in energy technologies; and (2) any critical mineral. A critical mineral means any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Under the program, the EPA must investigate, evaluate, and support processes, methods, and systems which may be used to identify sources of critical materials at contaminated sites and recover such critical materials from those sites. In carrying out the program, the EPA may provide assistance (e.g., awards) to persons, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal government entities.
The bill prohibits the EPA from providing assistance (1) in an amount that exceeds $10 million in any fiscal year in the aggregate; or (2) to any person, nonprofit organization, or government entity, in an amount that exceeds $3 million.
Read the full summary on Congress.govSummary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Sep 16, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sep 15, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Sep 15, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5682)
- Sep 15, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- Sep 15, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 9616.
- Sep 15, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5682-5683)
- Sep 15, 2026Mr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Sep 14, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 720.
- Sep 14, 2026Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-821.
- Jul 21, 2026Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
- Jul 21, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 20, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 14, 2026Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Jul 14, 2026Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Jul 9, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Jul 9, 2026Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
- Jul 9, 2026Introduced in House