PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.
H.R.5541 / 116th Congress

Tribal Power Act

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

Official summary

Version 53 · Passed House · Dec 9, 2020

Tribal Power Act

This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and otherwise revises the Indian Energy Education Planning and Management Assistance Program. The program is administered by the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs within the Department of Energy (DOE).

Specifically, the bill revises the program to (1) expand the definition of Indian land to include any land in a census tract in which the majority of the residents are Alaska Natives or enrolled members of a federally recognized tribe or village, thereby permitting such areas to receive program grants; and (2) allow DOE to reduce the cost share required in order to receive a grant if certain criteria are met, including financial need.

The bill also requires DOE to assess the availability and reliability of electricity for those individuals residing in tribal communities or on Indian land.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Rep. O'Halleran, Tom [D-AZ-1] · D–AZ

Committees

  • Indian Affairs Committee
  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Natural Resources Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7068-7069)

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5541.

  6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7068-7071)

  7. Mr. Pallone moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-625, Part I.

  9. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 116-625, Part I.

  10. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  11. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  12. Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.

  13. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

  14. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

  15. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  16. Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

  17. Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  18. Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  19. Introduced in House

  20. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jun 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5541 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.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.5541 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.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.5541 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.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.5541 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.

View full prompt & sources