S.Res. 70 — An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

This section authorizes the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, to (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate, (2) employ personnel, and (3) with prior consent of the relevant government department or agency and the Committee on Rules and Administration, use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency.

This section establishes expense limits for the committee under the specified resolution as follows: (1) $4,394,583 for the period March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, of which not more than $17,500 may be used for consultants (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946) and not more than $8,750 for professional staff training (as authorized by section 202(j) of that Act); (2) $7,533,571 for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, of which not more than $30,000 may be used for consultants and not more than $15,000 for staff training; and (3) $3,138,988 for the period October 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, of which not more than $12,500 may be used for consultants and not more than $6,250 for staff training.

This section authorizes payment of the committee's expenses from the Senate contingent fund upon vouchers approved by the chairman, except that vouchers are not required for specified items (e.g., employee salaries paid at an annual rate, telecommunications services). The section further authorizes necessary agency contributions (i.e., employer costs for employee retirement, health, and life insurance benefits) related to committee employee compensation from the Senate account for Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations for the periods (1) March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025; (2) October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026; and (3) October 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027.