EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026
Latest action (15 Sep 2026): On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
What this bill does
H.R. 9616, the EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026, would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to identify sources of critical materials—such as certain minerals used in energy, defense, and technology supply chains—found at contaminated sites, and to support methods for recovering those materials. The EPA could provide financial assistance through contracts, cooperative agreements, and awards, but overall assistance would be capped at $10 million per year, with no single recipient receiving more than $3 million. Applications would be evaluated based on factors including how well they identify domestic critical material sources, advance recovery and monitoring methods, support remediation of contaminated sites (particularly those on the National Priorities List), strengthen national security through domestic supply chains, and protect human health and the environment. The program would end automatically ten years after enactment.
The bill primarily affects the EPA, along with businesses, state, local, and Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations that might apply for funding to work on contaminated-site remediation and material recovery.
The bill was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger and passed the House on September 15, 2026, by voice vote under a suspension of the rules procedure. It now goes to the Senate, which must approve it—potentially with amendments—before it could be sent to the President for signature.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative Authorization Act of 2026 or the EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026
This provides statutory authority for an initiative within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that recovers critical materials from contaminated sites.
A critical material means (1) any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material that the Department of Energy determines has a high risk of a supply chain disruption and serves an essential function in energy technologies; and (2) any critical mineral. A critical mineral means any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Under the program, the EPA must investigate, evaluate, and support processes, methods, and systems which may be used to identify sources of critical materials at contaminated sites and recover such critical materials from those sites. In carrying out the program, the EPA may provide assistance (e.g., awards) to persons, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, and tribal government entities.
The bill prohibits the EPA from providing assistance (1) in an amount that exceeds $10 million in any fiscal year in the aggregate; or (2) to any person, nonprofit organization, or government entity, in an amount that exceeds $3 million.
The bill terminates the program after 10 years.
Timeline
15 Sep 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
21 Jul 2026
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9616 do?
- H.R. 9616, the EMRTAI Authorization Act of 2026, would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program to identify sources of critical materials—such as certain minerals used in energy, defense, and technology supply chains—found at contaminated sites, and to support methods for recovering those materials. The EPA could provide financial assistance through contracts, cooperative agreements, and awards, but overall assistance would be capped at $10 million per year, with no single recipient receiving more than $3 million. Applications would be evaluated based on factors including how well they identify domestic critical material sources, advance recovery and monitoring methods, support remediation of contaminated sites (particularly those on the National Priorities List), strengthen national security through domestic supply chains, and protect human health and the environment. The program would end automatically ten years after enactment. The bill primarily affects the EPA, along with businesses, state, local, and Tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations that might apply for funding to work on contaminated-site remediation and material recovery. The bill was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger and passed the House on September 15, 2026, by voice vote under a suspension of the rules procedure. It now goes to the Senate, which must approve it—potentially with amendments—before it could be sent to the President for signature.
- Has H.R. 9616 become law?
- Not yet. As of 15 Sep 2026, H.R. 9616 is passed house (senate next).
- Who sponsored H.R. 9616?
- H.R. 9616 was sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger [R-TX11] (Republican-TX), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9616?
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (15 Sep 2026).
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