Stop the EPA Act of 2015

1/11/2023, 1:30 PM

Stop the EPA Act of 2015

Amends the Congressional Review Act to require congressional approval of major rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Currently, a rule goes into effect unless Congress disapproves it.) Nullifies the EPA's existing major rules unless the EPA resubmits them for congressional review.

Lowers the annual economic impact threshold from $100 million to $50 million for a rule that is deemed to be a major rule. Expands the criteria for an EPA regulation to be deemed a major rule to include that the rule will have a significant impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities or it will implement a carbon tax.

Expands the EPA's reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to include: (1) a classification of each rule as a major or nonmajor rule with an explanation of the economic effects of the rule, (2) related regulatory actions taken by the EPA or another agency, and (3) any jobs added or lost.

Allows Congress to consider approval of a major rule only once in a Congress. Gives Congress 70 session days or legislative days to approve a rule.

Requires the GAO to estimate the economic cost imposed by all of EPA's rules.

Congress
114

Number
HR - 3056

Introduced on
2015-07-14

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

7/14/2015

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Stop the EPA Act of 2015

Amends the Congressional Review Act to require congressional approval of major rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Currently, a rule goes into effect unless Congress disapproves it.) Nullifies the EPA's existing major rules unless the EPA resubmits them for congressional review.

Lowers the annual economic impact threshold from $100 million to $50 million for a rule that is deemed to be a major rule. Expands the criteria for an EPA regulation to be deemed a major rule to include that the rule will have a significant impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities or it will implement a carbon tax.

Expands the EPA's reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to include: (1) a classification of each rule as a major or nonmajor rule with an explanation of the economic effects of the rule, (2) related regulatory actions taken by the EPA or another agency, and (3) any jobs added or lost.

Allows Congress to consider approval of a major rule only once in a Congress. Gives Congress 70 session days or legislative days to approve a rule.

Requires the GAO to estimate the economic cost imposed by all of EPA's rules.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend title 5, United States Code, to provide for certain special congressional review procedures for EPA rulemakings.

Policy Areas
Environmental Protection

Potential Impact
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Air quality
Business investment and capital
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Government studies and investigations
Industrial policy and productivity
Inflation and prices
Judicial review and appeals
Legislative rules and procedure
Oil and gas
Sales and excise taxes
Unemployment

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary9/9/2015

Stop the EPA Act of 2015

Amends the Congressional Review Act to require congressional approval of major rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Currently, a rule goes into effect unless Congress disappr...


Latest Action7/29/2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.