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HR 677

DJ Day; April 22, 2025; recognize

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Segun Adeyina and 4 co-sponsors

The Act requires IBLA to issue a final expedited decision within 6 months after notice, accelerating review of certain DOI appeals.

House Read and Adopted
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Bill Summary · HR 677

Summary of H.R. 677 (as reported) — Expedited Appeals Review Act (EARA)

Status: Passed House (May 13, 2025); received in Senate and referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (May 14, 2025). Introduced: Jan 23, 2025. Committee report: H. Rept. 119‑88 (House Committee on Natural Resources).

Note on conflicting texts: The materials provided include two distinct items labeled “H.R. 677.” The Committee report and legislative actions correspond to a substantive bill sponsored by Rep. Harriet Hageman titled the “Expedited Appeals Review Act” (EARA). A separate, unrelated House resolution titled “DJ Day” (recognizing April 22, 2025) also appears under an H.R. 677 identifier in the version content. The summary below focuses on the substantive EARA described in H. Rept. 119‑88.

Purpose

The EARA creates a statutory process allowing parties appealing certain Department of the Interior (DOI) decisions to request an expedited final decision from the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA). It aims to reduce IBLA delays and provide appellants a predictable accelerated remedy.

Key provisions

  • Short title: “Expedited Appeals Review Act” (EARA).
  • Request for expedited review: An appellant may submit written notice to IBLA of intent to seek expedited review for appeals described in 43 C.F.R. § 4.1(b)(2) (or successor regulation).
  • Six‑month decision deadline: Upon such notice, IBLA must issue a final decision within 6 months of receiving the notice, except that the 6‑month deadline cannot be earlier than 18 months after the appeal was initially filed (i.e., the expedited option is only available after an appeal has been pending for at least one year).
  • Consequence of missed deadline: If IBLA fails to meet the 6‑month deadline,
    • the underlying DOI decision is deemed a “final agency action” for purposes of 5 U.S.C. § 704; and
    • judicial review of that decision shall be de novo (not subject to the usual § 706 standards).
  • Applicability: Applies to appeals pending before IBLA at enactment and appeals filed afterward.
  • Conflict rule: Where inconsistent with deadlines in the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (30 U.S.C. §1724(h)) or SMCRA (30 U.S.C. §1275(b)), the EARA deadline controls.

Who is affected

  • Appellants of DOI decisions adjudicated by IBLA (e.g., cases involving grazing, mining, energy development, royalties, timber, land exchanges, rights‑of‑way, trespass).
  • DOI and IBLA (administrative workload, case management).
  • Federal courts (increased de novo reviews if IBLA misses deadlines).
  • Stakeholders (industry, landowners, tribes, environmental groups) who pursue or defend DOI appeals.

Potential impact and procedural notes

  • Seeks to reduce IBLA backlog (report cites ~650 pending appeals and that IBLA historically affirms bureaus ~90% of the time).
  • Creates stronger incentives for timely agency decisions but may increase federal litigation and costs if more appeals proceed to de novo judicial review.
  • Committee did not receive a CBO cost estimate before reporting; implementation may have budgetary implications for DOI to meet new deadlines.
  • The bill was reported favorably (amended) by the House Natural Resources Committee and passed the House under suspension of the rules by voice vote on May 13, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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