SPEED Act Passes House: Streamlining NEPA, Tightening Timelines, And Reframing Litigation

The House of Representatives has passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act (the "SPEED Act," H.R. 4776), which now moves to the Senate. If enacted, the SPEED Act would consolidate front end agency discretion, set firm deadlines for agency decision making, and recalibrate standards in judicial review.

Clarifying Major Federal Actions

The bill would refine what qualifies as a "major Federal action." An agency action may not be deemed major solely because it involves federal funding (e.g., grants, loans, loan guarantees, or funding assistance). At the same time, the bill would reinforce that "authorizations"- including leases, permits, licenses, and other approvals - remain within the scope of a major Federal action, preserving NEPA review where federal decisions meaningfully shape projects.