Bills of Congress May 30, 2025 by U.S. Congress

H.J.Res.89 - Providing congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to California State Motor Vehicle and Engine and Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; The Omnibus Low NOX Regulation; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision. (119th Congress)

Summary

H.J.Res.89 is a joint resolution passed by the United States Congress to disapprove a rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning California's motor vehicle and engine pollution control standards, specifically the 'Omnibus' Low NOX Regulation. The resolution invokes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to nullify the EPA rule. The rule in question relates to a waiver of preemption, allowing California to set its own, stricter emissions standards.

Expected Effects

The disapproval means the EPA rule will have no force or effect. This prevents the implementation of the 'Omnibus' Low NOX Regulation and potentially hinders California's ability to enforce stricter vehicle emission standards. It could also impact other states that have adopted California's standards.

Potential Benefits 2/5

* Potentially lower vehicle costs due to less stringent emission control requirements.
* Reduced regulatory burden on manufacturers, leading to greater flexibility.
* Could lead to increased availability of certain vehicle types if manufacturers don't have to meet California-specific standards.
* May prevent potential disruptions to the supply chain caused by differing state and federal regulations.
* Could lead to more uniform national standards, simplifying compliance for manufacturers.

Most Benefited Areas:

Business Prosperity & Innovation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Potential Disadvantages

* Potential for increased air pollution and negative impacts on public health, especially in California and states adopting its standards.
* May hinder efforts to combat climate change by reducing incentives for cleaner vehicle technologies.
* Could undermine California's role as a leader in environmental regulation and innovation.
* May lead to legal challenges and uncertainty regarding state and federal authority over environmental regulations.
* Potential for reduced investment in cleaner technologies due to less stringent regulatory requirements.

Most Disadvantaged Areas:

Environmental Protection & Climate Action ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Public Health & Healthcare Access ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Economic Growth & Job Creation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Constitutional Alignment 4/5

The resolution is an exercise of Congress's legislative power under Article I, Section 1, which vests all legislative powers in the Congress. The Congressional Review Act, under which this resolution is enacted, is a mechanism by which Congress can review and disapprove of agency regulations, asserting its oversight role. The Constitution grants Congress the power to legislate on matters of interstate commerce, which can include environmental regulations affecting motor vehicles. However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, raising questions about the extent to which Congress can preempt state environmental regulations.

Impact Assessment: Things You Care About

This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to citizens. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).