H.J.Res. 20: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters".
Sponsor
Gary Palmer
Republican · AL-6
Bill Progress
Latest Action · May 9, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-6.
Why it matters
If you want a gas tankless water heater, this resolution keeps the December 2024 federal efficiency rule from governing what manufacturers can sell. H.J.Res. 20 became law, so that DOE rule now has no force or effect.
H.J.Res. 20 overturns one specific Department of Energy rule covering consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters — better known as gas tankless water heaters.
The practical effect is simple: the December 26, 2024 DOE standard is treated as if it never took effect. Manufacturers do not have to follow that particular federal rule, and regulators cannot enforce it.
The resolution does not create a replacement efficiency standard. It only cancels the DOE rule Congress targeted.
This is already settled law, not a live proposal. According to Congress.gov, H.J.Res. 20 became Public Law 119-6 on May 9, 2025.
What does H.J.Res. 20 do?
DOE's 2024 tankless water heater rule is canceled
H.J.Res. 20 disapproves the Department of Energy rule on consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters that was published on December 26, 2024.
That rule is treated as having no effect
The resolution says the targeted DOE rule has no force or effect, so it cannot be enforced.
Gas tankless water heaters are the products at issue
The resolution applies only to consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters, not every water heater sold in the U.S.
No replacement standard is created
Congress blocked the DOE rule but did not put a new federal efficiency standard in its place.
The rule was identified with precision
The resolution names the DOE rule directly and points to its Federal Register publication, leaving little ambiguity about what was canceled.
Who benefits from H.J.Res. 20?
People shopping for gas tankless water heaters
You may continue seeing models on the market that might have been affected by the canceled DOE rule.
Manufacturers of covered water heaters
Companies that make consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters no longer have to comply with that specific December 2024 federal standard.
Distributors, contractors, and installers
Businesses that sell and install these units can keep working with products that remain available under the pre-rule landscape.
Who is affected by H.J.Res. 20?
Department of Energy
The agency lost the specific water-heater rule Congress targeted, and it cannot enforce that standard.
Federal regulators
Officials cannot use the canceled DOE rule as the basis for compliance or enforcement actions.
Efficiency advocates and groups that supported stricter standards
They do not get the December 2024 rule's requirements because Congress voided that rule.
Water-heater manufacturers planning around the 2024 rule
Companies that were preparing for the DOE standard now face a different regulatory picture because that rule is gone.
H.J.Res. 20 Common Questions
What does H.J.Res. 20 do?
It cancels one Department of Energy rule on consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. The targeted December 26, 2024 rule has no force or effect.
Is H.J.Res. 20 already law?
Yes. According to Congress.gov, H.J.Res. 20 became Public Law 119-6 on May 9, 2025.
Which products are affected by H.J.Res. 20?
Consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters — commonly called gas tankless water heaters. The resolution does not apply to every water heater.
Does H.J.Res. 20 create a new efficiency standard?
No. It only blocks the DOE rule Congress targeted. It does not replace that rule with a new federal standard.
What happens to the DOE rule if H.J.Res. 20 passes?
In this case, it already passed. The rule is treated as having no force or effect, so regulators cannot enforce that specific standard.
Which DOE rule did Congress block?
The rule titled "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters," published December 26, 2024.
Does H.J.Res. 20 affect what manufacturers have to do?
Yes. Manufacturers of covered gas tankless water heaters no longer have to comply with the specific DOE rule that H.J.Res. 20 canceled.
Based on H.J.Res. 20 bill text
HJRES20 Legislative Journey
Signed into Law
May 9, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-6.
+5 more actions this day
Passed 53-44
Apr 10, 2025
Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44. Record Vote Number: 207.
+3 more actions this day
Action Taken
Apr 9, 2025
Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2506)
Sent to Senate
Mar 3, 2025
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17.
House: Passed 221-198
Feb 27, 2025
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 221 - 198, 2 Present (Roll no. 53). (text: CR H884)
+6 more actions this day
House: Committee Action
Feb 25, 2025
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 161 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 20, H.J. Res. 35 and H. Con. Res. 14. The resolution provides for consideration of two joint resolutions, H.J.Res.20, under a closed rule and H.J.Res. 35, under a closed rule. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H. Con. Res. 14, under a closed rule. The joint resolutions are debatable for one hour each and the concurrent resolution is debatable for 3 hours.
House: Committee Action
Jan 15, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
About the Sponsor
Gary Palmer
Republican, Alabama's 6th congressional district · 11 years in Congress
Committees: Energy and Commerce, Oversight and Government Reform
View full profile →
Cosponsors (29)
All 29 cosponsors are Republicans. Cosponsors represent 19 states: Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, and 16 more.
Eric Burlison
Republican · MO
Julia Letlow
Republican · LA
Mike Collins
Republican · GA
Randy Weber
Republican · TX
Stephanie Bice
Republican · OK
Barry Moore
Republican · AL
Andrew Ogles
Republican · TN
Claudia Tenney
Republican · NY
Russ Fulcher
Republican · ID
Jack Bergman
Republican · MI
Dan Crenshaw
Republican · TX
Michelle Fischbach
Republican · MN
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
7 of 54 committee members cosponsored
23 Republicans across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.J.Res. 20 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Energy
- Introduced
- Jan 15, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-6.
May 9, 2025
Official Sources
Official congressional page for H.J.Res. 20, including status, text, and Public Law information.
DOE program page covering federal energy conservation standards for appliances, including water heaters.
Current federal regulations for energy conservation of consumer products, the regulatory framework that includes water heater efficiency standards.
Official daily journal where the targeted DOE water heater rule was published on December 26, 2024.
Official repository for slip laws and enacted public laws, relevant because H.J.Res. 20 became Public Law 119-6.
Official U.S. Code page for the Congressional Review Act chapter cited in the resolution text.
DOE office overseeing building appliance efficiency work, including rulemakings affecting water heaters.
H.J.Res. 20 Bill Text
“Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters”.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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