H.R. 7416House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026

To require a Federal science strategy for the monitoring and detection of methane, and for other purposes.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 12, 2026 at 4:12 AM UTC

The Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026 directs NASA to develop a federal strategy for detecting and monitoring methane emissions using a mix of ground‑based, airborne, and space‑based sensors. The plan, to be finished within 18 months, will be coordinated with other federal agencies and shared with state, local, academic, industry, and international partners to improve data use and help quickly address large methane leaks. A report on the strategy must be sent to Congress, and the bill does not create any new enforcement authority.

Key Provisions

Within 18 months, NASA’s Administrator must create a science‑based, consensus strategy for using current and future methane monitoring tools—including ground, airborne, and satellite sensors and site‑level technologies—working with other federal agencies.
The strategy must outline how to integrate and share methane data so it can be used by the federal government, states, localities, academia, nonprofits, industry (e.g., natural‑gas and oil sectors), and international partners.
NASA must submit a report on the strategy to Congress, and the plan should guide research and development and enable quick action to fix large methane leaks.
The bill does not give NASA or any other agency new enforcement powers over methane emissions.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

February 9, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 9, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

February 9, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 9, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7416

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 9, 2026

Mr. Beyer (for himself and Mr. Harrigan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

A BILL

To require a Federal science strategy for the monitoring and detection of methane, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026.

Methane monitoring and detection strategy

(a)

In general

Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (in this section referred to as the Administrator) shall carry out the following:

(1)

Develop, in consultation with the heads of relevant Federal departments and agencies, a consensus- and science-based strategy to assess and evaluate the utilization of present and future methane monitoring and detection capabilities, including ground-based, airborne, and space-based sensors, source- and site-level technologies, and the integration of data relating to such monitoring and detection from other indicators, with a focus on the ability to detect methane emissions and large methane emission events, to strengthen American energy security.

(2)

Submit to Congress a report on such strategy.

(b)

Goal

The strategy under subsection (a) shall be developed with the goal of enhancing the scientific and operational value of the capabilities referred to in such subsection, such that—

(1)

the Administrator may use such strategy to inform the planning of relevant research and development activities;

(2)

non-Federal entities, including State and local governments, academia, nonprofit organizations, commercial industry such as the natural gas and oil industry of the United States, and international organizations, may effectively leverage data and information provided or enabled by such capabilities; and

(3)

such data may be quickly operationalized to support the rapid mitigation of methane leaks.

(c)

Enforcement authority

Nothing in this section may be construed as conferring enforcement authority to the Administrator, or the head of any other Federal department or agency, with regard to methane emissions, that was not in effect on the date before the date of the enactment of this Act.