Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025

H.R. 4496, the Restore and Modernize Our National Laboratories Act of 2025, would direct the Secretary of Energy to fund a multi-year program to restore and modernize the U.S. National Laboratories. The bill authorizes $5 billion per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to cover deferred maintenance and modernization needs, including facilities, utilities, roads, and critical infrastructure, and to upgrade core laboratory capabilities (such as specialized facilities and computing) to support current and emerging science missions while maintaining safe and sustainable operations. It also requires the Secretary to submit annual funding lists and project profiles to Congress and ensures that at least one-third of the funds are managed by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. In addition, the bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to establish a cross-office strategy for facilities and infrastructure at National Laboratories and single-purpose research facilities. The strategy requires maintaining critical infrastructure, closing unneeded facilities, modifying existing facilities, and building new ones as needed. A one-year report is due, detailing priority project lists, a 10-year reconfiguration plan, funding/resource estimates, and planning processes that include data, metrics, prioritization, and stakeholder engagement. Sponsor information is listed as introduced by Mr. Foster (with co-sponsors Ms. Norton, Mr. Thanedar, and Mr. Smith of Washington).