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AR 184

Urges Congress to support policies that examine international pollution differential and hold foreign polluters accountable for their pollution.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Fantasia and 2 co-sponsors

NJ AR 184 urges Congress to adopt policies that measure the U.S. pollution gap with other countries and hold foreign polluters accountable, shaping federal trade/climate policy.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
#environment #memorializat
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Bill Summary · AR 184

Summary of Assembly Resolution AR 184 (Introduced March 24, 2025)

Overview

AR 184 is a New Jersey Assembly memorial resolution urging the U.S. Congress to support federal policies that (1) examine the pollution differential between the United States and other countries, and (2) hold foreign polluters accountable for their pollution. It is non-binding and intended to influence federal policy and practice. The resolution was introduced in the Assembly and referred to the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee. A companion bill exists as SR 129.

  • Bill Type: Resolution (Memorial)
  • Introduced: March 24, 2025
  • Status: Introduced and referred to the Assembly ENRSC
  • Related: SR 129 (companion)

Key Provisions

  • Clause 1: The Assembly respectfully urges the United States Congress to support policies that examine the pollution differential between the United States’ pollution production and that of other countries, and to hold foreign polluters accountable for the extent of their pollution.
  • Clause 2: Requires that copies of the resolution, once filed with the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the federal leadership and to every member of Congress elected from New Jersey (Senate Majority/Minority Leaders, House Speaker/Minority Leader, and all congressional members from NJ).

Background and Rationale (as stated in the resolution)

  • The resolution frames New Jersey's longstanding commitment to protecting natural resources and the environment and cites past state-level investments in clean energy, water quality, and habitat protection.
  • It presents a comparative policy rationale, noting:
    • The United States has reduced more carbon emissions than any other country in the past 15 years and has a carbon-efficient economy (~44% more efficient than the world average).
    • U.S. manufacturers are generally more energy- and resource-efficient, but compete with countries with looser pollution and labor standards, particularly China.
    • China is described as the world’s largest polluter, with more than 30% of global CO2 emissions and subsidized exports due to weaker environmental and labor standards.
    • The resolution provides specific emissions data: in 2022, China emitted about 12,667.4 million tons of CO2 versus the United States’ 4,853.8 million tons.
    • It asserts that goods from China and Russia generate 300% and 400% more carbon emissions, respectively, than equivalent goods from the United States.
    • It critiques current U.S. trade policy for not accounting for carbon emissions, suggesting foreign polluters gain competitive advantages.
    • It characterizes China’s state-controlled industry as an arm of the Chinese Communist Party pursuing predatory trade practices, including intellectual property theft.
  • The stated goal is to bolster domestic manufacturing, create well-paying jobs, and reduce dependence on high-emitting imports.

Who Is Affected

  • While this is a non-binding state resolution, its impact is to signal New Jersey’s stance to federal policymakers.
  • It aims to influence Congress, federal trade and environmental policy makers, and potentially the development of future carbon-accounting, border-adjustment, or pollution-differential policies.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: March 24, 2025
  • Committee: Referred to the Assembly Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste Committee
  • Next steps: If advanced, the resolution could move through committee and, potentially, to a floor vote; as a memorial, it does not change state law.

Related Legislation

  • SR 129 (Senate companion measure)

Note: This summary focuses on the text and intent of AR 184 as introduced. It describes non-binding advocacy rather than enforceable policy changes.

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

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