July 23, 2026
Mr. Pappas (for himself, Mr. Lawler, and Mr. Tonko) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To require certain information and financial assistance under the State energy program and the weatherization assistance program to be distributed without undue delay to support State and local high-impact energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Investing in State Energy Act of 2026
.
Sec. 2. Timing for distribution of certain information and financial assistance under the Weatherization Assistance Program and the State energy program
(a) Timing for distribution of certain information and financial assistance under the weatherization assistance program
Section 417 of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6867) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (d), by striking the subsection designation and all that follows through Payments
and inserting the following:
(d) Method and timing of payments
(1) In general
Payments; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(2) Timing
On receipt of a plan adopted pursuant to section 415(b) containing all the material elements, the Secretary shall distribute funds to the State, Indian Tribe, or other direct recipient to which the plan applies not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of the plan.
(e) Distribution of information
Not later than 60 days after the date on which funds have been made available to provide assistance under this part, the Secretary shall—
(1)
release application guidance to States, Indian Tribes, and other direct recipients of assistance under this part; and
(2)
publish the allocation of assistance to be provided to States, Indian Tribes, and other direct recipients of assistance under this part in accordance with the applicable distribution formula for the fiscal year.
(b) Timing for distribution of certain information and financial assistance under the State energy program
Section 363 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6323) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(f) Distribution of information
Not later than 60 days after the date on which funds have been made available to provide financial assistance under this section, the Secretary shall—
(1)
release application guidance for financial assistance for energy conservation plans under this section; and
(2)
publish the allocation of assistance to be provided to States under this section in accordance with the applicable distribution formula for the fiscal year, including pursuant to subsection (b).
(g) Timing of payments
On receipt of a State energy conservation plan submitted under section 362 containing all the material elements, the Secretary shall distribute funds to a State not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of the State energy conservation plan.
(c) Authorization of appropriations
Section 365(f) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6325(f)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
by striking this part $500,000,000
and inserting the following:
this part—
(A)
$500,000,000;
(B)
in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(B)
$100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.; and
(2)
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2) Distribution
Amounts made available under paragraph (1) shall be distributed to the States in accordance with the applicable distribution formula in effect on January 1, 2026.