HJRES 210: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision".

HJRES 210 in plain English: This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to revoke an EPA decision that authorized California's Air Resources Board to expand its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation, which required additional categories of ships docked in California ports to reduce auxiliary engine emissions. If enacted, the EPA authorization is nullified and California's expanded emissions rules cannot take effect.

Stated purpose

This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to cancel the EPA's decision to authorize California's stricter emissions rules for ocean-going ships while they are docked at port, so that authorization has no legal effect.

Key points

• Revokes EPA's authorization for California to expand its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth emissions regulation.
• Cancels emissions reduction requirements that would have applied to additional categories of ocean-going vessels at California ports.
• Uses the Congressional Review Act to nullify the EPA authorization decision.

Arguments supporters make

• California's regulation goes beyond what federal law requires and unfairly burdens the shipping industry with costly compliance rules that could raise prices and disrupt trade through major U.S. ports.
• Congress, not the EPA, should decide whether a state can expand its environmental authority over interstate and international commerce, making this disapproval an appropriate check on federal agency power.
• A single state setting stricter engine standards for ocean-going vessels creates a patchwork of rules that is difficult and expensive for the global shipping industry to manage.

Arguments opponents make

• Port communities in California already face serious air pollution from shipping traffic, and revoking this rule removes health protections that residents near those ports depend on.
• Congress granted California special authority under the Clean Air Act to set stricter vehicle and engine emission standards precisely because of the state's unique air quality challenges, and this resolution undermines that long-standing policy.
• Canceling the EPA's authorization takes away California's ability to address a local pollution problem within its own borders, shifting decision-making away from the state most directly affected.

Tradeoffs

Blocking the regulation reduces compliance costs and regulatory complexity for the shipping industry but eliminates additional emissions controls intended to improve air quality for communities living near California ports.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

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