NOSHA Act

Bill Number

H.R. 86

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T19:44:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation, titled the "Nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act" or "NOSHA Act," aims to eliminate the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which oversees workplace safety and health standards in the United States.

Key Provisions

• Repeal of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: This foundational law, which established federal protections for worker safety, would be fully repealed.
• Abolition of OSHA: The agency within the Department of Labor responsible for enforcing workplace safety regulations would be dissolved entirely.
• Short Title: The bill is formally named the "NOSHA Act."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill would completely remove the federal framework for workplace safety enforcement that has been in place since 1970, shifting away from a national regulatory approach without specifying alternatives.
• No provisions are included for transferring OSHA's responsibilities, such as inspections, standards-setting, or enforcement powers, to other entities.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor would lose a major division, potentially requiring reorganization or budget reallocations; enforcement of safety rules could revert to state-level programs where they exist.
• On Citizens (Workers): Employees across industries might face reduced federal protections against workplace hazards like unsafe equipment or toxic exposures, increasing reliance on state laws or employer self-regulation.
• On Businesses: Employers would be freed from federal OSHA compliance requirements, such as record-keeping, training, and fines for violations, potentially lowering operational costs but raising risks of accidents.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could affect U.S. alignment with global labor standards set by organizations like the International Labour Organization.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Workers and Labor Unions: Primary beneficiaries of OSHA's protections; abolition could heighten injury and illness risks in high-hazard sectors like construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
• Employers and Businesses: Would gain regulatory relief, particularly small businesses burdened by compliance, but might face increased liability from lawsuits or state regulations.
• Federal Government (Department of Labor): Direct operational loss, affecting thousands of employees and redirecting resources.
• States: Could see expanded roles in workplace safety if they maintain or develop their own programs, as some states already operate OSHA-approved plans.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Repealing the 1970 Act would end federal authority to set and enforce national safety standards, potentially leading to legal challenges over worker rights or interstate commerce protections; states without strong laws might see gaps in enforcement.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power to create and repeal agencies under Article I, but could raise questions about federal responsibilities for public welfare if workplace fatalities rise.
• Political: As an introduced bill in the 119th Congress (referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce), it reflects debates over government overreach versus deregulation; passage would mark a major rollback of federal labor policy, likely sparking partisan divides.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-01-03: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-03: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act — issued 2025-01-03 — PDF (2 pages)