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HR 8079

Diesel Truck Liberation Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Mike Collins and 7 co-sponsors

The bill would prohibit federal enforcement of emissions controls and bar EPA from mandating emissions control devices or OBD systems on vehicles.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 8079

Summary of H.R. 8079 — Diesel Truck Liberation Act of 2026

Overall purpose

  • Introduces a broad prohibition on enforcing emissions control requirements for motor vehicles and engines. The bill aims to eliminate federal requirements to install, certify, or maintain emissions control devices and onboard diagnostic (OBD) systems, effectively rolling back standards and enforcement under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and related federal laws.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Prohibition on enforcement (Section 2(a))

    • States that no federal law, including regulations or executive orders, may require a manufacturer, importer, or distributor of motor vehicles or engines to install, certify, or maintain emissions control devices or OBD systems on any vehicle or engine.

  2. No new authority for EPA (Section 2(b))

    • Prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating or enforcing any requirement under the CAA or any federal law that mandates installation or maintenance of emissions control devices or OBD systems.

  3. No liability for not containing emissions controls (Section 2(c))

    • Provides that no person or entity shall face civil or criminal liability under federal law for manufacturing, selling, importing, purchasing, using, or modifying a vehicle or engine that does not include an emissions control device or OBD system.

  4. Repeal of related regulations (Section 2(d))

    • Declares that any regulation under the CAA or other federal law related to installation, modification, or removal of emissions control devices or OBD systems shall have no force or effect.

  5. Vacatur and expungement (Section 2(e))

    • For past conduct related to emissions control device rules that involved criminal or civil liability, requires vacating criminal penalties and expunging records of such findings.

Who would be affected

  • Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines: barred from being required to install, certify, or maintain emissions control devices or OBD systems.
  • EPA and federal agencies: barred from creating or enforcing regulations around emissions control devices and OBD systems.
  • Individuals and entities with existing or potential liability tied to violations of emissions-control-related regulations would have penalties vacated and records expunged where applicable.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction date: March 25, 2026.
  • Referral: House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • The bill text indicates immediate prohibition on enforcement and regulatory effect, with potential retroactive relief for past cases (vacatur and expungement). However, as a bill, it would require passage by both chambers of Congress and the President’s signature to become law. There is no specified phase-in period or sunset provision in the text.

Potential implications (highlights)

  • A substantial shift away from emissions controls on light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, potentially increasing emissions compared to current standards.
  • Elimination of federal oversight over emissions-related technologies such as catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters, and OBD systems.
  • Legal and regulatory uncertainty for states that may have their own emission control programs, though the bill explicitly limits federal enforcement.
  • Possible litigation or reinterpretation of existing Clean Air Act authorities if portions of the bill were challenged in court or superseded by future legislation.

This summary captures the bill’s core intent, the principal provisions, who would be affected, and the basic procedural context. If you’d like, I can add a side-by-side comparison with current CAA provisions or map-out potential state-level implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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