S.1072 - Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden Act of 2025; Stop CARB Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
S.1072, the "Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden Act of 2025" or "Stop CARB Act of 2025," aims to amend the Clean Air Act. The bill seeks to eliminate waivers that allow California to set its own vehicle emission standards. It also prevents other states from adopting California's standards.
Expected Effects
If enacted, this bill would centralize control over vehicle emission standards at the federal level. States would be unable to implement stricter emission regulations than those set by the federal government. This could lead to less stringent environmental regulations in some states.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially lower vehicle costs due to uniform standards.
- Reduced complexity for manufacturers who would only need to meet one set of national standards.
- Could lead to more affordable transportation for consumers.
- May streamline interstate commerce of vehicles.
- Could prevent regulatory overreach by a single state.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for reduced air quality in states that currently follow California's stricter standards.
- Hindered innovation in emission control technologies due to lack of state-level experimentation.
- Disproportionate impact on states with severe air pollution problems.
- Weakened ability of states to address specific environmental concerns.
- Could lead to increased health issues related to air pollution.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's alignment with the US Constitution is complex. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce, which could be argued to support uniform vehicle emission standards. However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, potentially including the power to address environmental issues within their borders.
The bill could be seen as an attempt to prevent states from enacting regulations that go beyond federal standards. This raises questions about the balance of power between the federal government and the states, as defined by the Constitution.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).