LOCOMOTIVES Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3194
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-13T08:05:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The LOCOMOTIVES Act (H.R. 3194) aims to amend the Clean Air Act to limit state authority in regulating emissions from existing locomotives and their engines. It seeks to prevent states from imposing their own emission standards on these vehicles, ensuring uniform federal oversight to avoid conflicting regulations that could burden interstate commerce, particularly in the railroad industry.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on State Standards: The bill modifies Section 209(e)(1) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7543(e)(1)) to explicitly prohibit states from adopting or enforcing standards related to emissions from certain nonroad engines and vehicles, including a new category for locomotives.
- Expanded Categories: It updates the list of protected nonroad engines and vehicles by:
- Refining existing exemptions for smaller engines (under 175 horsepower) used in construction, farm, or similar equipment.
- Clarifying protections for new engines used in locomotives.
- Adding a new subcategory (C) for existing locomotives and engines used in locomotives that are engaged in interstate commerce—defined as providing common carrier railroad transportation for compensation under federal law (49 U.S.C. § 10102).
- Scope of Commerce: The prohibition applies broadly to all locomotives involved in paid freight or passenger rail services across state lines.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current law, Section 209(e)(1) of the Clean Air Act preempts (blocks) state regulations on emissions from new nonroad vehicles and engines, with limited exceptions for smaller or farm/construction equipment. This bill expands preemption to explicitly include existing locomotives and engines in commercial rail operations, closing potential gaps that might allow states to regulate older equipment.
- It strikes and replaces language to make the prohibitions more precise and comprehensive, ensuring that only federally regulated locomotives (new or existing) in interstate commerce are shielded from state rules.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gains clearer authority over national emission standards for locomotives, potentially simplifying enforcement but reducing state flexibility in air quality management. Federal railroad regulators (e.g., under the Department of Transportation) may see indirect benefits from reduced legal conflicts.
- On Citizens: Rail-dependent communities might experience more consistent air quality regulation, but environmental advocates could face challenges in addressing local pollution from older locomotives without state-level options. Commuters and residents near rail lines may see minimal direct change unless state rules were previously in place.
- On International Relations: Limited impact, as the bill focuses on domestic rail commerce; however, it could indirectly affect cross-border rail trade (e.g., with Canada or Mexico) by standardizing U.S. emission rules and avoiding state-specific barriers.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Railroad Industry: Primary beneficiaries, including freight and passenger rail operators (e.g., Class I railroads like Union Pacific or BNSF), who gain protection from varying state emission requirements that could increase costs for maintenance or retrofitting existing locomotives.
- States and Local Governments: Lose authority to set tougher emission standards for existing locomotives, potentially limiting tools for improving regional air quality in areas with heavy rail traffic.
- Environmental Groups and Public Health Advocates: May oppose the bill, as it restricts state-level protections against diesel emissions, which contribute to air pollution and health issues like asthma in rail corridors.
- Federal Agencies: EPA and Surface Transportation Board benefit from centralized control, reducing administrative overlap.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Reinforces federal preemption under the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8), which allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce and override state laws that burden it. This could lead to lawsuits if states challenge the expansion as overly broad, potentially testing the balance between federal uniformity and state environmental rights under the Clean Air Act.
- Political: The bill reflects tensions between industry deregulation (supported by pro-business lawmakers) and state environmental autonomy. Introduced by Republicans in the 119th Congress, it may spark debate on national vs. local control of pollution, especially amid growing focus on climate change and rail electrification. No direct constitutional challenges are anticipated, but it aligns with efforts to streamline federal transportation policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
Cosponsors (26)
Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Goldman, Craig A. [R-TX-12], Rep. Fong, Vince [R-CA-20], Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-SD-At Large], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6], Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Valadao, David G. [R-CA-22], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2], Rep. James, John [R-MI-10], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Evans, Gabe [R-CO-8], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Hurd, Jeff [R-CO-3], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-05-05: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-05: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives Act — issued 2025-05-05 — PDF (3 pages)