HEATS Act

Where it stands

1. Introduced Done · Sep 26, 2025
2. Committee Done · Sep 26, 2025
3. Passed House Done · Apr 23, 2026
4. Passed Senate Not yet
5. President Not yet
6. Law Not yet

From the official actions on Congress.gov.

Key points

What it changes

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

Who it affects

A plain-language summary isn't ready yet. The official summary below describes the bill.

What it costs

No cost estimate yet.

Where it stands

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. (Jul 15, 2026)

What happens next

The Senate would need to pass it next.

Official summary

Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources Act or the HEATS Act This bill exempts certain geothermal activities on state and private lands (except Indian lands) from drilling permit requirements as well as environmental and historic preservation review requirements. First, the bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from requiring an operator to obtain a drilling permit under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 for any geothermal exploration and production activity conducted on a nonfederal surface estate (i.e., the part of the estate that is above ground) if (1) the United States holds an ownership interest of less than 50% of the subsurface geothermal estate to be accessed by the proposed action, and (2) the operator submits to Interior a state permit to conduct the geothermal exploration and production activity on the nonfederal surface estate. Next, the bill states that such geothermal exploration and production activity is not considered a major federal action under National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Thus, such activity does not trigger NEPA's environmental review requirements. In addition, the bill exempts such activity from the consultation requirements under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It also exempts the activity from review under the National Historic Preservation Act unless the state in which the activity occurs does not have a state law that addresses the preservation of historic properties.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House version), via Congress.gov. These are proposed provisions, not enacted law.

Recorded votes

1. HOUSEFinal passageApr 23, 2026 · roll call 137

   On Passage: Passed (231–186)

   This vote decided whether the bill passes this chamber.
   Votes by party

   How each party voted on roll call 137

   Party	Yes	No	Present	Did not vote	Share voting Yes
   Democratic	22	186	0	4
   Republican	208	0	0	8
   Independent	1	0	0	0

   Party totals from the official roll call.

   Office of the Clerk, U.S. House ↗ — includes how every member voted

Vote types come from the official question text. How we label votes

Legislative history

1. Jul 15, 2026Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
2. Apr 28, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
3. Apr 23, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
4. Apr 23, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
5. Apr 23, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 231 - 186 (Roll no. 137). (text: CR H3073)
6. Apr 23, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
7. Apr 23, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5587.
8. Apr 23, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
9. Apr 23, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1189. (consideration: CR H3073-3077)
10. Apr 22, 2026Rule H. Res. 1189 passed House.
11. Apr 20, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1189 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897 and H.R. 5587. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4690, H. Res. 1182, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 4690, H.R. 1897, and H.R. 5587.
12. Apr 15, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 531.
13. Apr 15, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
14. Apr 15, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 119-613.
15. Mar 5, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 15.
16. Mar 5, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
17. Mar 5, 2026Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged
18. Dec 16, 2025Subcommittee Hearings Held
19. Dec 9, 2025Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
20. Sep 26, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
21. Sep 26, 2025Introduced in House
22. Sep 26, 2025Introduced in House