A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision".

119th Congress Introduced by Bernie Moreno

Congress disapproves and voids the EPA rule on California nonroad engine pollution standards for commercial harbor craft, preventing it from taking effect.

Introduced in Senate

Overview

Type: Joint resolution

Session: 119th Congress, 2nd Session

Title: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”

Introduced: August 6, 2026 by Sen. Bernie Moreno (sponsor); co-sponsored by Bernie Moreno

Status: Read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (as of the latest action)

Purpose and Intent

The bill uses the congressional disapproval mechanism provided in the small-business-type congressional review process (chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code) to nullify a specific EPA rule.

The targeted rule is EPA’s rule titled “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision,” associated with the January 10, 2025 Federal Register citation (90 Fed. Reg. 1998).

If enacted, the joint resolution would ensure that the rule has no force or effect.

Key Provisions

Disapproval of the EPA rule: The joint resolution states that Congress disapproves the specified EPA rule.

Nullification of the rule: The resolution directs that the rule “shall have no force or effect.”

Reference rule details: Identifies the rule as California state nonroad engine pollution standards for commercial harbor craft, including the EPA’s notice of decision related to those standards.

Legal mechanism: Uses the congressional disapproval process under chapter 8 of title 5 U.S.C. This effectively blocks the rule without repealing it through the normal EPA rulemaking process.

Who/What Is Affected

Federal: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule titled “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision.”

State/federal regulatory effect: If enacted, the rule would be nullified, meaning the EPA’s authority or decision reflected in that rule would not be enforceable as federal law.

Stakeholders: Entities regulated by California nonroad engine standards for commercial harbor craft, including manufacturers, operators, and harbor/port authorities; plus any industry groups with interest in emissions standards and preemption discussions.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

Legislative path: As a joint resolution of disapproval, it would follow the streamlined congressional review process under chapter 8 of title 5 U.S.C., which allows Congress to disapprove a federal agency rule and precludes the rule from taking effect.

Current action: Introduced in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works; no further committee action or floor passage details provided in the current summary.

Effective date: If enacted, typically such a disapproval resolution takes effect upon enactment and prevents the rule from taking effect; the exact interplay with any preexisting compliance timelines in the rule would be subject to the disapproval language.

Bill