Summary — H.J. Res. 75 (Public Law No. 119‑9)

Purpose and intent

H.J. Res. 75 is a congressional disapproval resolution enacted under the Congressional Review Act (CRA, chapter 8 of title 5, U.S. Code). Its sole effect is to nullify a Department of Energy (DOE) rule titled “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator‑Freezers” (90 Fed. Reg. 7464; published Jan. 21, 2025). The joint resolution states that the rule “shall have no force or effect.”

Key provisions

• Disapproves and invalidates the DOE final rule on energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment published January 21, 2025.
• Because it is enacted under the CRA, the resolution also carries the CRA’s practical limitation: the invalidated rule cannot be reissued in “substantially the same” form unless subsequently authorized by a new law enacted by Congress.

The joint resolution contains no other substantive policy text or amendments.

Who is affected

• DOE: the Department’s specific January 21, 2025 rule is nullified and DOE is constrained from reissuing a substantially similar standard without new statutory authority.
• Manufacturers and importers of commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator‑freezers: any compliance requirements, certification, labeling, or design changes triggered by the January 2025 rule are halted.
• Commercial users (restaurants, supermarkets, food service, institutional kitchens): expected regulatory-driven equipment changes or purchases tied to the voided standard are altered.
• Energy efficiency stakeholders (utilities, energy‑efficiency program administrators, environmental groups): projected energy savings and regulatory pathways associated with that DOE rule are affected.
• State and local regulators: interactions with federal standards and potential alignment efforts may be changed depending on the content of the voided rule.

Procedural and timeline highlights

• Introduced in the House: March 10, 2025.
• House passage: March 27, 2025 — Passed 214–193 (Roll No. 78).
• Senate passage: May 1, 2025 — Passed 52–45 (Record Vote No. 228).
• Presented to and signed by the President: Presented May 6, 2025; signed into law May 9, 2025.
• Became Public Law No. 119‑9 on May 9, 2025.

Impact summary

By nullifying the DOE rule, H.J. Res. 75 removes the regulatory effect and prevents near‑identical reissuance absent new congressional authorization. The decision alters the regulatory landscape for commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturers, purchasers, and energy‑efficiency programs tied to the January 2025 DOE standards.