George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 11, 2003

George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003 - Amends the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Energy to conduct a research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program on: (1) accelerated uses of hydrogen and related technologies in stationary and transportation applications; and (2) advanced vehicle technologies (FreedomCAR program).

Requires the FreedomCAR program to address: (1) engine and emission control systems; (2) energy storage, electric propulsion, and hybrid systems; (3) automotive materials; (4) clean fuels in addition to hydrogen; and (5) other advanced vehicle technologies.

Requires the Secretary to transmit to Congress a coordinated plan for such programs and any other DOE programs directly related to fuel cells or hydrogen.

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Authorizes the Secretary to implement programs for: (1) interagency, intergovernmental, and international education, information exchange, and cooperation concerning hydrogen and hydrogen-related products; and (2) a technology transfer to the private sector to foster the exchange of generic, nonproprietary information and technology developed under this Act.

Directs the President to establish an interagency task force to work toward development of: (1) a safe, economical, and environmentally sound hydrogen infrastructure; (2) uniform hydrogen codes, standards, and safety protocols; (3) fuel cells in government applications; and (4) vehicle hydrogen fuel system integrity safety performance.

Replaces the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel with the Hydrogen Technical and Fuel Cell Advisory Committee.

Authorizes DOE to represent U.S. interests regarding activities and programs under this Act before governmental and nongovernmental organizations, including: (1) other Federal, State, regional, and local governments; (2) industry representatives, including the energy and transportation industries; and (3) in consultation with the Department of State, foreign governments and international organizations.

Repeals the Hydrogen Future Act of 1996.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Boehlert, Sherwood [R-NY-24] · R–NY

Committees

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Apr 28, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Apr 11, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Science.
Apr 11, 2003
Introduced in House
Apr 11, 2003
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Apr 11, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze H.R.1773 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.1773, 108th Congress: George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1773

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1773/BILLS-108hr1773ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1773 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Examine H.R.1773 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.1773, 108th Congress: George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1773

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1773/BILLS-108hr1773ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1773 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Examine H.R.1773 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.1773, 108th Congress: George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1773

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1773/BILLS-108hr1773ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1773 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Examine H.R.1773 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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Discuss H.R.1773, 108th Congress: George E. Brown, Jr. and Robert S. Walker Hydrogen Future Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/1773

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2003-04-11.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr1773/BILLS-108hr1773ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:04:31Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1773 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.