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 Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California's 2009 and Subsequent Model Year Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for New Motor Vehicles".

119th Congress Introduced by Gary Palmer

The bill would nullify the EPA waiver allowing California to enforce its greenhouse gas vehicle standards for 2009 and later models.

Introduced in House

Overview

Bill: H.J.Res.211

Session: 119th Congress, 2nd Session

Purpose: Provide congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule related to California’s motor vehicle pollution standards and a waiver under the Clean Air Act.

Sponsor: Rep. Gary Palmer (co-sponsor)

Main purpose and intent

The resolution aims to nullify and block the EPA rule that granted California a waiver under the Clean Air Act to enforce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for new motor vehicles starting with the 2009 model year and subsequent model years.

If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect.

Key provisions and changes

Disapproval mechanism: Uses the congressional disapproval process under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to veto the EPA rule described.

Specific rule targeted: The EPA’s rule published at 74 Federal Register 32744 on July 8, 2009, titled “California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California's 2009 and Subsequent Model Year Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for New Motor Vehicles.”

Effect of passage: The disapproved rule would be treated as having no force or effect.

Who/what would be affected

Federal level: The EPA’s waiver decision approving California’s GHG emission standards for new motor vehicles (and the related preemption waiver) would be nullified.

California standards landscape: Without the EPA waiver, California’s authority to implement its own (and more stringent) GHG emission standards under the Clean Air Act would be constrained as to that waiver, potentially affecting California’s ability to enforce its 2009 and later model year GHG standards for new vehicles.

Broader impact: Could influence other states that have adopted California’s GHG vehicle standards or relied on the EPA waiver framework.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: August 6, 2026

Referral: House Committee on Energy and Commerce

Status: Introduced and referred to committee; no further actions detailed in the provided text

Legislative vehicle: Joint resolution of disapproval under the congressional disapproval process (chapter 8, title 5 U.S.C.), which, if enacted, would nullify the EPA rule without repealing statute directly

Notes and context

This is a congressional action to disapprove a specific EPA rule rather than to amend or repeal a statute.

The rule in question dates back to 2009 and pertains to California’s waiver for its GHG emission standards for motor vehicles.

The bill does not appear to alter California’s broader authority outside the waiver context or to address other state standards beyond the targeted waiver decision.