TRAPS Act

House Bill

H.R. 4936

119th Congress

TRAPS Act

In Committee

Introduced:Aug 8, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Hakeem S. Jeffries

Representative

Democratic

NY-8

Cosponsors

47

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Energy

Summary

The TRAPS Act, also known as the Nonrestrictive Offshore Wind Act or the NOW Act, would repeal certain requirements that the Department of the Interior must meet before issuing a lease for offshore wind development. Currently, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 requires that an offshore oil and gas lease sale be held in the previous year and that a minimum acreage be offered for offshore lease sales. This bill would remove those requirements, making it easier for the government to issue leases for offshore wind projects.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The TRAPS Act, also known as the Nonrestrictive Offshore Wind Act or the NOW Act, would repeal certain requirements that the Department of the Interior must meet before issuing a lease for offshore wind development. Currently, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 requires that an offshore oil and gas lease sale be held in the previous year and that a minimum acreage be offered for offshore lease sales. This bill would remove those requirements, making it easier for the government to issue leases for offshore wind projects.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Nonrestrictive Offshore Wind Act or the NOW ActThis bill repeals certain requirements that the Department of the Interior must meet before issuing a lease for offshore wind development. Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Interior may not issue a lease unless (1) an offshore oil and gas lease sale has been held in the year prior to issuing the lease, and (2) Interior offers a specified minimum acreage for offshore lease sales in the previous year. The bill repeals those requirements.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

The bill repeals requirements that the Department of the Interior must hold an offshore oil and gas lease sale and offer a minimum acreage for offshore lease sales before issuing a lease for offshore wind development.
This would remove barriers to the development of offshore wind projects by eliminating these prerequisites set by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
The goal is to streamline the process for approving offshore wind projects and facilitate the growth of renewable energy sources.

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

If this bill becomes law, it would primarily impact the offshore wind energy industry, making it easier for companies to obtain leases and develop new offshore wind projects. This could lead to an increase in offshore wind energy generation and help the United States move towards its renewable energy goals. Local coastal communities that host offshore wind projects may also be affected, seeing economic benefits from new jobs and investment in their areas.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Energy

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

4936, 119th Congress (2025). "TRAPS Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-4936