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To extend certain programs under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

Public Law 105-177 · H.R. 2472 · 105th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Bill Clinton (D) on Jun 1, 1998 · Energy

Sponsor: Rep. Dan Schaefer (R-CO-6)

Cosponsors: None

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateUnanimous consent
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) to extend through: (1) FY 1999 the authorization of appropriations for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; and (2) September 1, 1999, all authorities for domestic supply availability and for standby energy.

Changes from mandatory to discretionary the authority of the Attorney General to promulgate rules concerning records related to the development and carrying out of voluntary agreements and plans of action for international response to energy emergencies.

Repeals the exemption for such agreements from application of certain provisions of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (but retains their exemption from provisions regarding voluntary agreements for preparedness programs and expansion of production capacity and supply).

Extends EPCA coverage to emergency response measures adopted by the Governing Board of the International Energy Agency (including the July 11, 1984, decision by the Governing Board on "Stocks and Supply Disruptions") for: (1) the coordinated drawdown of stocks of petroleum products held or controlled by governments; and (2) complementary actions taken by governments during an existing or impending international oil supply disruption.

Declares that the antitrust defense under this Act shall not extend to an international allocation of petroleum products unless such allocation is required by chapters III and IV of the international energy program (Agreement on an International Energy Program) during an international energy supply emergency.

Limits to specified EPCA prescriptions and purposes the drawdown and distribution of petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

Requires the annual budget submitted by the Secretary of Energy to include a funding request for petroleum storage in the SPR (or to provide a written explanation why such a request is not forthcoming).

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 26 actions.

  1. Jun 1, 1998Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 105-177.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. May 21, 1998PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. May 19, 1998Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
  6. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Schaffer, Bob moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment.
  7. Mar 23, 1998Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate appointed conferees Murkowski; Nickles; Craig; Thomas; Bumpers; Bingaman; Akaka.
  8. Feb 12, 1998Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate concurred in the House amendment to the Senate amendment with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  9. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate insisted on its amendment, requested a conference.
  10. FloorFloor · Amendment SP 1645 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
  11. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  12. Nov 9, 1997FloorFloor · House agreed to Senate amendment with amendment pursuant to H. Res. 317.
  13. Sep 30, 1997FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  14. FloorFloor · Amendment SP 1270 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
  15. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  16. Sep 29, 1997FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  17. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 405 - 8 (Roll no. 464).House roll call 464
  18. FloorFloor · At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Crapo objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
  19. FloorFloor · Mr. Crapo moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  20. Sep 26, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Energy and Commerce Committee
  21. Sep 18, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Energy and Commerce Committee
  22. Sep 16, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  23. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  24. Sep 15, 1997CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
  25. CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  26. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.