During the 107th Congress, the Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs held 22 hearings on a range of issues in each of the three principal areas within the Subcommittee’s jurisdiction. For example, in Energy Policy, the Subcommittee addressed gasoline supply, and the California energy crisis and governance by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO). In Natural Resources, the Subcommittee addressed several subjects, such as the Federal implementation of the Supreme Court’s SWANCC decision relating to wetlands, and the process of recognizing Indian tribes. Lastly, in Regulatory Affairs, the Subcommittee reviewed implementation of the Congressional Review Act, Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, and the required annual regulatory accounting report, as well as regulations under development, such as to implement the new air security law.

In addition, the Subcommittee considered various legislative proposals, including elevation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to a cabinet-level department and improvements to increase accountability and transparency in the Presidential gifts system. Last year, the Subcommittee’s multi-year initiative to provide paperwork relief to small businesses became law in the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-198).

During the 107th Congress, the Subcommittee conducted an extensive investigation of the current multi-agency system for managing Presidential gifts. The result was House Report 107-768, “Problems with the Presidential Gifts System.”

During the 108th Congress, the Subcommittee plans to continue to hold hearings in all three principal areas within its jurisdiction: Energy Policy, Natural Resources, and Regulatory Affairs. In addition, the Subcommittee plans to continue its oversight of the Administration’s efforts to achieve meaningful paperwork reduction and useful regulatory accounting and its implementation of the new Small Business Paperwork Relief Act. Lastly, the Subcommittee plans to consider legislation to make additional improvements in the existing laws governing paperwork reduction and regulatory management.