Common Sense Air Regulations Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2288

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-06-27T21:00:36Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Common Sense Air Regulations Act," aims to cancel a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that reconsidered and updated national standards for particulate matter in the air. Particulate matter refers to tiny solid or liquid particles in the air that can harm health when inhaled, such as from vehicle exhaust or industrial emissions.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The bill is officially named the "Common Sense Air Regulations Act."
• Nullification of EPA Rule: It explicitly voids the EPA's final rule titled "Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter," published in the Federal Register on March 6, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 16202). This means the rule has no legal force or effect after the bill passes.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill directly overrides the EPA's 2024 rule, which likely strengthened air quality standards to better protect public health by reducing allowable levels of fine particulate matter (known as PM2.5).
• It prevents the implementation of these updated standards, reverting to the prior (less stringent) national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter established in 2012.
• This represents a congressional intervention in agency rulemaking, using legislative authority to block a regulatory change without altering the broader Clean Air Act framework.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The EPA would lose authority to enforce the nullified rule, potentially requiring it to redirect resources from compliance monitoring and enforcement to other priorities. State environmental agencies might face uncertainty in aligning their programs with federal standards.
• On Citizens: Public health could be affected, as the rule aimed to lower exposure to harmful air particles linked to respiratory issues, heart disease, and premature deaths; nullification might delay or prevent reductions in air pollution in urban or industrial areas.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could influence U.S. commitments under global agreements like the Paris Agreement by signaling a rollback in environmental protections.
• Broader economic effects might include reduced regulatory costs for businesses but potential increases in healthcare expenses from poorer air quality.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Directly impacted as the target of nullification, limiting its regulatory power on air quality.
• Industries and Businesses: Polluting sectors like manufacturing, energy production (e.g., oil and gas), agriculture, and transportation benefit from avoided compliance costs; sponsors of the bill (from Georgia, California, and Texas) represent districts with significant industrial or agricultural interests.
• Environmental and Public Health Groups: Adversely affected, as they supported the EPA rule for stronger protections against air pollution.
• Citizens and Communities: Particularly those in areas with high particulate matter levels (e.g., low-income or minority communities near industrial sites), who may face ongoing health risks without the updated standards.
• State and Local Governments: Must adjust air quality plans, potentially leading to inconsistencies between states.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Invokes Congress's constitutional authority under Article I to legislate and oversee executive agencies, potentially setting a precedent for using bills to nullify specific rules without broader reform. It may face challenges if seen as undermining the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs agency rulemaking.
• Constitutional: Reinforces the separation of powers by allowing Congress to check executive branch regulations, but could raise questions about interference in scientific, health-based decisions by experts.
• Political: Highlights partisan divides on environmental regulation, with the bill introduced by Republican lawmakers amid debates over federal overreach; if passed, it could influence future EPA actions and midterm election dynamics on climate and health issues. No direct impact on individual rights, but it indirectly affects environmental justice by prioritizing economic concerns over health safeguards.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Palmer, Gary J. [R-AL-6]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-03-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Common Sense Air Regulations Act — issued 2025-03-24 — PDF (2 pages)