Sovereign State Environmental Quality Assurance Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3346

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Environmental Protection

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-05-27T15:01:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Sovereign State Environmental Quality Assurance Act (H.R. 3346) aims to eliminate the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and transfer environmental protection responsibilities to state governments through block grants, promoting state-level control over environmental programs.

Key Provisions

• Abolishment of the EPA: The EPA would be fully abolished 270 days after the bill's enactment, including all its functions, duties, powers, and programs. The EPA Administrator must handle wind-up activities (e.g., closing operations) and submit a progress report to Congress within 90 days of enactment. Any laws authorizing EPA actions would be repealed on the termination date.
• Block Grants to States:
• Funds totaling $4.4 billion annually for fiscal years 2026–2029 would be allocated to "covered states" (all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa) based on population from the latest census.
• States must designate an environmental quality department to receive and use the funds for programs on air quality, water quality (including drinking water safety), solid and hazardous waste management, chemical safety and emergency response, radiation protection, and cleanup of contaminated sites.
• Conditions include state commitments to audits of fund use, with the Secretary of the Treasury overseeing allocations, enforcing repayments for misuse, and conducting federal audits.
• Additional funding is authorized for the Treasury Department to administer and audit the program.
• Oversight and Reporting: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must conduct annual studies on the bill's implementation and effectiveness for fiscal years 2026–2029 and submit reports to Congress within 180 days after each fiscal year ends. Funding is authorized for these GAO activities.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill would repeal all federal laws that empower or require the EPA to operate, effectively dismantling the agency created by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and related statutes (e.g., Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act).
• It shifts from centralized federal regulation and enforcement of environmental standards to decentralized state-led programs funded by block grants, reducing federal oversight while maintaining some funding continuity for core environmental activities.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The EPA's dissolution would eliminate thousands of federal jobs and end national-level coordination on environmental issues, requiring other agencies (e.g., Treasury for fund distribution) to take on new administrative roles. States would gain expanded responsibilities, potentially straining their resources without federal support.
• On Citizens: Environmental protections could vary by state, leading to inconsistent standards for air and water quality, waste management, and pollution cleanup. Rural or low-income areas in underfunded states might face reduced safeguards, while others could see tailored programs.
• On International Relations: The U.S. might appear less committed to global environmental agreements (e.g., Paris Agreement or treaties on hazardous waste), potentially weakening its diplomatic leverage on climate and pollution issues, as states lack authority in international negotiations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• State Governments and Environmental Departments: Primary beneficiaries of block grants but responsible for implementing programs without federal guidance.
• Federal Government Entities: EPA employees (job losses), Treasury Department (new administrative duties), and GAO (expanded reporting role).
• Citizens and Communities: Those relying on environmental protections, including residents near pollution sources, farmers, and urban populations affected by air and water quality.
• Businesses and Industries: Companies in sectors like manufacturing, energy, and agriculture could face varying state regulations, potentially easing compliance in some areas but increasing uncertainty.
• Environmental Advocacy Groups: Likely opposed due to loss of uniform national standards.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill's broad repeals could trigger lawsuits challenging the elimination of EPA-authorized programs, as many environmental laws are tied to constitutional authority over interstate commerce and public health. Courts might scrutinize whether states can adequately replace federal roles without violating existing treaties or rights.
• Constitutional Implications: It advances federalism by devolving power to states (per the 10th Amendment), but raises questions about the federal government's ability to abdicate responsibilities in areas like national pollution control, which affect multiple states.
• Political Implications: As an introduced bill (not yet law), it reflects debates over federal overreach versus state autonomy; passage would require overcoming strong bipartisan support for the EPA, potentially polarizing Congress along ideological lines on deregulation and environmental priorities.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-05-13: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Sovereign State Environmental Quality Assurance Act — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (6 pages)