Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles".
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 60
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Became Law
- Became Law
- Public Law 119-13
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-23: Became Public Law No: 119-13.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T15:43:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 60) aims to overturn a specific rule issued by the National Park Service (NPS), a part of the Department of the Interior. The rule concerns restrictions on motor vehicle use in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a federal park in the southwestern United States. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents it from being enforced, using a process called the Congressional Review Act (a law that lets Congress quickly review and block certain federal agency decisions).
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: Congress explicitly rejects the NPS rule titled "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles," which was published in the Federal Register (a government journal for official notices) on January 16, 2024 (Volume 90, page 2621).
- Nullification: The rule is declared to have "no force or effect," meaning it cannot be implemented or enforced by the NPS or any other federal agency.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not create new laws but invokes the Congressional Review Act (found in Chapter 8 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code, the federal laws organizing the government). This act allows Congress to vote to stop agency rules within a short window after they are issued.
- It reverses the NPS's attempt to update or add restrictions on motor vehicles (like off-road vehicles) in the park, maintaining the status quo from before the rule was proposed. Without this disapproval, the rule would have become binding federal policy.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The NPS will be unable to enforce the new motor vehicle restrictions, potentially requiring them to redirect resources from rule implementation to other park management tasks. This could set a precedent for future congressional overrides of similar environmental or recreational rules.
- On Citizens: Visitors to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, including boaters, hikers, and off-road vehicle users, may continue accessing areas without the proposed limits on motor vehicles. This could benefit recreational users but raise concerns about increased environmental damage, such as erosion or wildlife disruption, if the rule was meant to protect the park.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic matter focused on U.S. national parks.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service (NPS) and Department of the Interior: Directly impacted, as their rulemaking authority is overridden.
- Park Visitors and Recreational Users: Especially those relying on motor vehicles (e.g., ATVs or boats) for access; they avoid new restrictions but may face ongoing debates over park preservation.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Potentially opposed to the disapproval if the rule aimed to reduce vehicle-related harm to natural resources like Lake Powell's shoreline.
- Congress and Taxpayers: Congress asserts its oversight role; taxpayers may see indirect effects through federal park management costs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the Congressional Review Act as a tool for Congress to check executive branch agencies without needing a full new law. The rule is permanently blocked unless new legislation revives similar restrictions.
- Constitutional: Highlights the separation of powers, where Congress (legislative branch) limits the executive branch's regulatory authority, ensuring elected officials have a say in federal land management.
- Political: Demonstrates bipartisan or partisan use of fast-track disapproval processes in a divided Congress (119th Congress, starting in 2025), potentially influencing future debates on national park policies amid tensions between recreation and conservation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-23: Became Public Law No: 119-13.
- 2025-05-23: Became Public Law No: 119-13.
- 2025-05-23: Signed by President.
- 2025-05-23: Signed by President.
- 2025-05-16: Presented to President.
- 2025-05-16: Presented to President.
- 2025-05-08: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-05-08: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 43. Record Vote Number: 239. (Roll call 239)
- 2025-05-08: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 43. Record Vote Number: 239. (Roll call 239)
- 2025-05-08: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2813-2814)
- 2025-05-06: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2772)
- 2025-05-06: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 236. (Roll call 236)
- 2025-04-30: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 65.
- 2025-04-29: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-04-29: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 219 - 205 (Roll no. 110). (text: CR H1706) (Roll call 110)
Bill Versions
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles". — issued 2025-04-29 — PDF (4 pages)
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles". — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (1 pages)
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles". — issued 2025-02-21 — PDF (1 pages)
- Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles". — issued 2025-04-30 — PDF (2 pages)