House Committee Advances SPEED Act: Major NEPA Reforms Target Permitting Delays

On November 20, 2025, the House Committee on Natural Resources (Committee) held a five-hour markup of multiple bills to amend the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The primary focus of the markup was H.R. 4776, the "Standard Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act" (SPEED Act), sponsored by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR). The SPEED Act is a product of extensive hearings over recent congresses and bipartisan negotiations with two moderate Democrats on the Committee, Congressmen Jared Golden from Maine and Adam Gray from California's Central Valley.

Key Takeaways:

• Three Core Reforms: Limits NEPA reviews to proximately caused effects, clarifies federal funding triggers, and imposes a 150-day statute of limitation.