A joint resolution 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
- S.J.Res. 30
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-04: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T22:49:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (S.J. Res. 30) aims to disapprove a specific rule issued by the National Park Service (NPS), an agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior. The rule concerns restrictions on motor vehicles in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a federal protected area in Utah and Arizona. The disapproval is authorized under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), a law that allows Congress to review and potentially block recent agency regulations before they take full effect.
Key Provisions
- Disapproval of the Rule: Congress explicitly disapproves the NPS rule titled "Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; Motor Vehicles," published in the Federal Register (90 Fed. Reg. 2621) on January 13, 2025.
- Nullification: The rule is declared to have no force or effect, meaning it cannot be implemented or enforced.
- Legislative Process: Introduced by Senator Curtis (with Senator Lee as co-sponsor) on March 3, 2025, in the Senate. It was read twice, referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, but the committee was discharged by petition under 5 U.S.C. 802(c) on March 4, 2025, allowing it to be placed directly on the Senate calendar for a vote.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend or create new laws but invokes the CRA to override an existing agency rule. If passed and signed (or if a veto is overridden), it would prevent the NPS rule from becoming part of the Code of Federal Regulations, effectively reverting to prior regulations on motor vehicle use in the area.
- The CRA itself remains unchanged, but this action demonstrates its use to challenge executive branch rulemaking on public lands management.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The NPS would be barred from enforcing the rule, potentially limiting its authority to regulate vehicle access in Glen Canyon. This could require the agency to redirect resources or revisit the issue through new rulemaking.
- On Citizens: Visitors, recreationists, and locals who use motor vehicles (e.g., off-highway vehicles like ATVs or boats) in Glen Canyon may continue under previous rules, avoiding any new restrictions the disapproved rule might have imposed, such as limits on where or how vehicles can be used to protect natural resources.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic environmental regulation concerning U.S. public lands.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- National Park Service (NPS): Directly impacted as the rule's issuer; enforcement efforts would be halted.
- Congressional Sponsors: Senators Curtis and Lee (both from Utah), representing interests in states bordering the recreation area.
- Public Land Users: Recreation enthusiasts, hunters, anglers, and off-road vehicle operators who access Glen Canyon for activities like boating or trail riding.
- Environmental and Conservation Groups: Potentially affected if the rule aimed to reduce vehicle-related damage to sensitive ecosystems, such as lake shores or trails.
- Local Communities and Businesses: In Utah and Arizona, including tourism operators relying on access to the area managed by NPS and the Bureau of Reclamation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on the CRA (enacted in 1996), which gives Congress a 60-day window to review major or non-major rules. This fast-tracks disapproval without standard committee review, highlighting the Act's efficiency for targeted overrides. If enacted, it sets a precedent for congressional intervention in NPS land-use decisions.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's oversight role over executive agencies under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, ensuring legislative check on administrative actions without raising separation-of-powers concerns.
- Political: Introduced early in the 119th Congress (2025), it reflects partisan efforts to roll back regulations perceived as burdensome on recreation or economic activities in Western states. Passage would require simple majorities in both chambers and presidential approval (or veto override), potentially signaling broader tensions between Congress and the executive on public lands policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-04: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 19.
- 2025-03-04: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- 2025-03-04: Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged, by petition, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 802(c).
- 2025-03-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in Senate
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 2025-03-03 — 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 2025-03-04 — PDF (4 pages)