PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Act of 2003

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2856-2863)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 26, 2003

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Energy to: (1) conduct a research and development program relating to the production, storage, distribution, and use of hydrogen energy, including fueling infrastructure; and (2) establish a cost shared program to purchase, operate, and evaluate fuel cell vehicles in integrated service in Federal, tribal, State, local, or private fleets to demonstrate the viability of fuel cell vehicles.Directs the Secretary to establish a cooperative agreements program with the private sector to demonstrate fuel cell-powered buses, trucks, and other heavy duty vehicles.Instructs the Secretary, in cooperation with Indian Tribes, to develop and transmit to Congress a commercial application strategy for development of hybrid distributed power systems on tribal lands.Mandates a Federal purchase and procurement program for fuel cell vehicles, including an agency fleet transition plan for vehicles powered by fuel cell technology.Instructs the Secretary to establish and fund a stationary fuel cell power purchase program for federally-owned or -operated facilities, Federal residences, and Federal portable applications.Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish Federal standards governing: (1) distributed generation; (2) distribution interconnections; (3) minimum fuel and technology diversity; (4) prohibited rates and charges; and (5) net metering.Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow as a credit against tax: (1) a qualified hydrogen fuel cell motor vehicle credit; (2) 50 percent of the amount paid or incurred for the installation of hydrogen fuel cell motor vehicle refueling property; and (3) 30 percent of residential fuel cell property expenditures.Directs the Secretary to transmit to Congress a plan identifying critical technologies, enabling strategies and applications, technical targets, and associated time frames that support the commercialization of hydrogen-fueled fuel cell vehicles.

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

Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND] · D–ND

Committees

  • Finance Committee
9 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. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2856-2863)

  2. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 18, 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 S.461 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 S.461 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 S.461 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 S.461 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