HR 4785 · 111th Congress 2009–2011, ended

To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to certain entities that agree that the funds will be used to make loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures involving structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial off-the-shelf technologies to reduce energy use, and for other purposes.

Latest action · Sep 20, 2010 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Progress

Where this bill reached, and when. A stage with no date was not reached; one that failed a vote and later carried shows the date it carried.

  1. IntroducedMar 9, 2010
  2. Passed HouseSep 16, 2010
  3. Passed SenateNot reached
  4. To the PresidentNot reached
  5. Became lawNot reached

Summary

(Sec. 1) Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a Home Star Energy Efficiency Loan Program of interest free loans to states to support financial assistance provided by qualified financing entities for the installation of qualifying energy savings measures.

Defines "eligible participant" as a homeowner with a gross annual household income of less than $250,000 who receives financial assistance from a qualified financing entity to carry out qualifying energy savings measures and who is not also a qualified consumer. Prohibits participation by a homeowner who is more than six months delinquent in child support payments.

Directs the Secretary to publish: (1) a list of appropriate residential energy efficiency measures (which shall not include the installation or replacement of pool heaters or the installation of Energy Star televisions); and (2) an energy savings verification protocol.

Sets forth eligibility criteria for qualifying financing entities.

Authorizes FY2010-FY2014 appropriations subject to the requirement that enactment of this Act would not increase direct spending.

(Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA), through the Rural Utilities Service, to establish the Rural Star Energy Savings Program to make interest-free loans to eligible entities for loans to qualified consumers (which may bear interest of up to 3%) to implement approved residential or farm energy efficiency measures.

Directs the Secretary to allow an eligible entity to request a special advance to defray initial startup costs.

Prohibits loans from being used to: (1) purchase a manufactured home; or (2) purchase personal property that is not attached to real property as a fixture.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish a measurement and verification advisory committee; and (2) maintain a directory of energy efficiency auditors.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with qualified entities to provide technical assistance and employee training.

Prohibits the Secretary from using such authority to: (1) develop a public labeling system that rates and compares energy performance among qualified consumers; or (2) require public disclosure of an energy performance evaluation developed for any qualified consumer.

Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible entities, or groups of eligible entities, that have specified energy efficiency programs for energy efficiency loan demonstration projects that: (1) implement energy audit and investment approaches that yield measurable and predictable savings; (2) use measurement and verification processes to determine loan effectiveness; (3) provide for employee training; (4) provide for participation of a majority of eligible entities in a state; (5) reduce the need for generating capacity; (6) provide efficiency loans to specified numbers of consumers of a single entity or a group of entities; and (7) serve areas where a large percentage of consumers reside in manufactured homes or in housing units that are more than 50 years old.

(Sec. 3) Requires lenders under this Act to give priority to members of the Armed Forces on active duty and to veterans.

(Sec. 4) Prohibits the Secretary of Energy (DOE) and the Secretary of Agriculture from providing funds under this Act to any contractor that employs an employee to work in a consumer's home if that employee has been convicted of, or plead guilty to, a crime of child molestation, rape, or any other form of sexual assault.

(Sec. 5) Prohibits a loan under this Act from being provided to a federal employee who: (1) has a seriously delinquent tax debt; (2) received, but was ineligible for, a payment under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981; or (3) has been officially disciplined for viewing, downloading, or exchanging pornography, including child pornography, on a federal government computer or while performing official federal government duties.

(Sec. 7) States that: (1) funds authorized by this Act shall only be made available for the purpose of carrying out qualifying energy savings measures on a primary residence; and (2) neither the Secretary of Energy nor the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide funds authorized by this Act to any contractor that has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any fraudulent offense.

(Sec. 8) States that the provisions of this Act shall be suspended and shall not apply if this Act will have a negative effect on the U.S. national deficit.

Recorded votes 2

Newest first. Open one to see how every member voted.

Roll callQuestionResultDate
House 530Passed240–172Sep 16, 2010
House 529Agreed to402–0Sep 16, 2010

Cosponsors 56

Members who signed on, in the order they did. Signatures ran from Mar 9, 2010 to Sep 14, 2010; 3 are original cosponsors, there from the day it was introduced.

SeatCosponsorSigned on
R-KYEd WhitfieldOriginalMar 9, 2010
D-SCJohn M. Spratt, Jr.OriginalMar 9, 2010
D-VAThomas S.P. PerrielloOriginalMar 9, 2010
R-SCHenry E. Brown, Jr.Mar 12, 2010
R-SCJoe WilsonMar 12, 2010
D-MIBart StupakMar 19, 2010
R-SCBob InglisMar 19, 2010
D-TNBart GordonApr 14, 2010
D-COBetsy MarkeyApr 14, 2010
D-AZEd PastorApr 14, 2010
D-GAHenry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.Apr 14, 2010
D-KYBen ChandlerApr 20, 2010
D-CABob FilnerApr 20, 2010
D-ALBobby BrightApr 20, 2010
D-INBrad EllsworthApr 20, 2010
R-TNDavid P. RoeApr 20, 2010
D-NCG. K. ButterfieldApr 20, 2010
D-TXHenry CuellarApr 20, 2010
D-GAJim MarshallApr 20, 2010
D-SDStephanie Herseth SandlinApr 20, 2010
D-AZGabrielle GiffordsApr 22, 2010
D-GASanford D. Bishop, Jr.Apr 22, 2010
D-MNTimothy J. WalzApr 22, 2010
D-MSBennie G. ThompsonApr 26, 2010
R-KYHarold RogersApr 26, 2010
D-IALeonard L. BoswellApr 26, 2010
R-ALMike RogersApr 26, 2010
D-INBaron P. HillApr 29, 2010
D-OHCharles A. WilsonMay 4, 2010
D-TXCiro D. RodriguezMay 4, 2010
D-KSDennis MooreMay 4, 2010
R-ARJohn BoozmanMay 4, 2010
D-COJohn T. SalazarMay 4, 2010
D-NCLarry KissellMay 4, 2010
D-VARick BoucherMay 4, 2010
D-NMBen Ray LujánMay 5, 2010
D-HIMazie K. HironoMay 5, 2010
D-ILPhil HareMay 5, 2010
D-OHZachary T. SpaceMay 5, 2010
D-OHJohn A. BoccieriMay 11, 2010
D-ARMike RossMay 11, 2010
R-PATodd Russell PlattsMay 11, 2010
R-KYBrett GuthrieMay 12, 2010
D-NCDavid E. PriceMay 19, 2010
D-OREarl BlumenauerMay 19, 2010
D-MDFrank Kratovil, Jr.May 19, 2010
R-PAGlenn ThompsonMay 19, 2010
D-MIJohn D. DingellMay 28, 2010
D-FLAlcee L. HastingsJun 10, 2010
D-ILDanny K. DavisJun 10, 2010
D-NCMike McIntyreJun 10, 2010
D-MORuss CarnahanJun 17, 2010
D-NYEdolphus TownsJun 25, 2010
R-ILAaron SchockJul 28, 2010
D-VTPeter WelchJul 29, 2010
D-OHBetty SuttonSep 14, 2010

Committees 3

Where it was sent and what each committee and subcommittee did with it, in order.

ChamberCommitteeWhat it did
HouseAgriculture Committee
Referred Mar 9, 2010Reported Sep 14, 2010
Forestry and Horticulture Subcommittee
Hearings May 12, 2010
HouseEnergy and Commerce Committee
Referred Mar 9, 2010Discharged Sep 14, 2010
Energy Subcommittee
Referred Mar 10, 2010
SenateEnergy and Natural Resources Committee
Referred Sep 20, 2010

Actions 34

Everything that happened, newest first.

  1. Sep 20, 2010Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  2. Sep 16, 2010Rule H. Res. 1620 passed House.
  3. Sep 16, 2010Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1620. (consideration: CR H6777-6791)
  4. Sep 16, 2010Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4785 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution waives all points of order against the amendment in the nature of a substitute except those arising under clause 10 of rule XXI. The resolution makes in order only those amendments printed in Part B of the report. All points of order against the amendments in part B except for clauses 9 and 10 of rule XXI are waived. The resolution provides that the Chair may not entertain a motion to strike out the enacting words of the bill.
  5. Sep 16, 2010House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 1620 and Rule XVIII.

In the Congressional Record 3

Days the Record’s own index lists this bill, newest first, with the pages and the members it names. Pages starting H are the House, S the Senate, E Extensions of Remarks.

WhereIn the RecordMembersDate
HouseDebate and remarks H6766–H6775, H6777–H6791Text printed H6766Amendments H6773, H6782, H6785, H6786, H6787, H6790Motions H6789Recorded votes H6774, H6788, H6790consideration (H. Res. 1620), previous questionenactHolden amendment (manager's amendment)Ann Kirkpatrick D-AZ, Bob Etheridge D-NC, Carolyn McCarthy D-NY (amendment), Chris Van Hollen D-MD, David Dreier R-CA, Earl Blumenauer D-OR, Eric Cantor R-VA, Frank D. Lucas R-OK, G. K. Butterfield D-NC (amendment), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. D-GA, Henry Cuellar D-TX (amendment), Henry E. Brown, Jr. R-SC, James E. Clyburn D-SC, James P. McGovern D-MA, Jason Chaffetz R-UT, Joe Barton R-TX, John B. Shadegg R-AZ (motion), John M. Spratt, Jr. D-SC, Mazie K. Hirono D-HI, Peter Welch D-VT, Phil Gingrey R-GA, Rush Holt D-NJ, Thomas J. Rooney R-FL, Thomas S.P. Perriello D-VA, Tim Holden D-PA (amendment), Virginia Foxx R-NC (amendment)Sep 16, 2010
HouseDeclaratory Statements H6685Dept. of Agriculture: authorize loans to certain entities to make loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures to reduce home energy use (H.R. 4785), earmark declaration—Sep 14, 2010
HouseDeclaratory Statements H6407, H6459—Jul 29, 2010

Research

What has been written about this bill: committee reports, cost estimates, the sponsor’s authority statement, printed hearings and the Congressional Research Service’s work.

Committee report

Congressional Budget Office cost estimates 2

  1. Sep 13, 2010H.R. 4785, Rural Energy Savings Program Act<p>Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Agriculture on July 14, 2010</p>
  2. Sep 13, 2010H.R. 4785, Rural Energy Savings Program ActCost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Agriculture on July 14, 2010

Printed hearings 1

Hearings whose printed record names this bill, newest first: hearings on it, and wider hearings where it came up.

NumberHearingCommitteeHeld
Serial No. 111-50HEARING TO REVIEW H.R. 4785, THE RURAL ENERGY SAVINGS PROGRAM ACT67 pagesAgriculture CommitteeMay 12, 2010

Amendments 5

Amendments offered to this bill.

AmendmentDescriptionOffered byStatus
HAmdt 775An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 111-594 to clarify that loan funds under the bill may not be used to purchase manufactured homes, makes technical corrections to a Comptroller General report, prohibits provision of funds to certain contractors and makes ineligible for loans certain Federal Employees. It also requires the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture to take steps to prevent misuse of funds. Prohibits any additions to direct spending in regards to provisions within this Act. Does not allow an entity with an ongoing capital repayment obligation to the Treasury due to the Troubled Assets Relief Program to participate in the programs within this Act. Ensures that funds provided under this bill would supplement and not supplant other energy efficiency funding.Tim Holden D-PAOn agreeing to the Holden amendment (A001) Agreed to by recorded vote: 402 - 0 (Roll no. 529).
HAmdt 776An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 111-594 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance and technical advice to the qualified entities providing loans under this bill to increase the participation of economically distressed rural communities with unemployment rates above the national average.Henry Cuellar D-TXOn agreeing to the Cuellar amendment (A002) Agreed to by voice vote.
HAmdt 777An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 111-594 to require that lenders providing loans under this Act give priority to active duty members of the Armed Forces and to veterans.Carolyn McCarthy D-NYOn agreeing to the McCarthy (NY) amendment (A003) Agreed to by voice vote.
HAmdt 778An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 111-594 to require the Department of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, to consider passive house retrofits when identifying qualified energy efficiency measures.G. K. Butterfield D-NCOn agreeing to the Butterfield amendment (A004) Agreed to by voice vote.
HAmdt 779The amendment requires certain provisions be met in order for funds to be made available. The amendment also states that the provisions of the Act shall be suspended and shall not apply if the Act will have a negative effect on the national budget deficit of the United States.G. K. Butterfield D-NCOn agreeing to the Butterfield amendment (A005) Agreed to by voice vote.

Related bills 2

Companion bills and other measures the record links to this one.

Titles 4

Every title it has carried, official and short, at each stage.

Official Title as Introduced
To amend the miscellaneous rural development provisions of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to certain entities that will use the funds to make loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures involving structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial off-the-shelf technologies to reduce home energy use.
Official Titles as Amended by House
To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to certain entities that agree that the funds will be used to make loans to consumers to implement energy efficiency measures involving structural improvements and investments in cost-effective, commercial off-the-shelf technologies to reduce energy use, and for other purposes.
Short Titles as Introduced
Rural Energy Savings Program Act
Short Titles as Reported to House
Rural Energy Savings Program Act

Subjects

Assigned by the Library of Congress. Policy area: Agriculture and Food.

Text 4

Each version as it was printed, newest first.

  1. Sep 20, 2010Referred in Senate
  2. Sep 16, 2010Engrossed in House
  3. Sep 14, 2010Reported in House
  4. Mar 9, 2010Introduced in House

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Everything here is as published by Congress: the summary is the Congressional Research Service's, the action wording is the clerks', and the subjects are the Library of Congress's. How far it got is read from the actions themselves, taking the most recent one of each kind, so a bill that failed a vote and later passed is shown as having passed. Records come from this bill on Congress.gov and govinfo.gov; cost estimates are the Congressional Budget Office's, and the hearings are the printed hearings GovInfo publishes, which can appear months after the hearing.