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Bill

HJRES 205

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 Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California's Advanced Clean Car Program and a Within the Scope Confirmation for California's Zero Emission Vehicle Amendments for 2017 and Earlier Model Years".

119th Congress Introduced by John Joyce

HJRes.205 would nullify an EPA rule on California’s Advanced Clean Car program and ZEV amendments for 2017 and earlier model years, removing the waiver framework.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJRES 205

Overview

  • Bill: H.J.Res.205
  • Session: 119th Congress (2026)
  • Type: Joint resolution
  • Purpose: To provide for congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (as implemented by Chapter 8 of title 5 of the U.S. Code) of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule related to California’s motor vehicle emissions standards. If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect.

What the bill seeks to disapprove

  • The EPA rule identified by the bill as the subject of disapproval is:
    • Title: “California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California's Advanced Clean Car Program and a Within the Scope Confirmation for California's Zero Emission Vehicle Amendments for 2017 and Earlier Model Years”
    • Federal Register citation: 78 Fed. Reg. 2112 (January 9, 2013)
  • The rule concerns EPA’s decision on whether California’s Advanced Clean Car Program and associated Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) amendments for 2017 and earlier model years fall within or outside the Clean Air Act’s preemption framework.
  • The joint resolution would explicitly state that Congress disapproves this EPA rule and that, once disapproved, the rule “shall have no force or effect.”

Key provisions and changes (substantive effects)

  • Disapproval mechanism:
    • If the joint resolution becomes law, the EPA rule cited above would be repealed from regulatory effect.
    • This aligns with the Congressional Review Act process, which allows Congress to nullify recently issued major or non-major federal agency rules.
  • Scope of impact:
    • Targeted to California’s motor vehicle pollution control standards and the EPA’s waiver decision related to California’s Advanced Clean Car Program and ZEV amendments for 2017 and earlier model years.
    • The resolution does not appear to affect California’s standards outside the specified 2017 and earlier model years, unless further specified elsewhere.

Who is affected

  • Federal level:
    • EPA rule described in the resolution would lose force if the joint resolution is enacted.
  • California:
    • Stakeholders in California’s vehicle emissions program (state regulators, automakers, and consumers) would be impacted insofar as the EPA waiver decision would no longer be in effect, potentially altering the regulatory landscape for California’s emissions program and ZEV mandates for the relevant model years.
  • Industry implications:
    • Automakers and parts suppliers could be affected by changes to emissions regulatory expectations and potential shifts in compliance timelines for older model-year programs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral:
    • Introduced in the House on July 23, 2026, by Mr. Joyce (PA).
    • Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Legislative pathway:
    • As a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act, passage in both the House and Senate would be required, followed by signature by the President to become law.
    • If enacted, it would prevent the EPA rule from taking effect or would nullify it if already in effect.
  • Notable date references:
    • The EPA rule being disapproved is identified with a federal register citation from January 9, 2013, implying long-standing regulatory history being targeted for disapproval.

Summary

HJRes.205 seeks to overturn, through congressional disapproval, a specific EPA rule regarding California’s motor vehicle pollution standards and the EPA’s waiver/within-scope determinations for California’s Advanced Clean Car Program and ZEV amendments for 2017 and earlier model years. If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect, removing the EPA waiver framework related to those California programs for the specified model years and potentially altering regulatory expectations for manufacturers and California regulators.

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

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