HJRES 213: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the "California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision".

HJRES 213 in plain English: This joint resolution would cancel the EPA's partial authorization that allowed California's Air Resources Board to update its emission rules for commercial harbor craft, including commercial fishing boats. The revoked authorization had established new emission standards and compliance deadlines based on vessel type and engine model year. Without this authorization, California could not enforce those updated standards under the Clean Air Act.

Stated purpose

This joint resolution aims to cancel a federal authorization that allowed California to enforce stricter emission standards on commercial harbor craft, making that EPA decision have no legal force or effect.

Key points

• Revokes EPA's authorization for California to enforce updated emission rules for commercial harbor craft
• Nullifies new emission standards and compliance deadlines tied to vessel category and engine model year
• Removes expanded coverage that had added commercial fishing boats to the regulation
• Blocks California Air Resources Board from implementing these specific nonroad engine pollution controls

Arguments supporters make

• The new California rules impose costly equipment upgrades on fishing boat operators and other harbor craft businesses, threatening jobs and livelihoods in an already demanding industry.
• California's expanding emission mandates go beyond what is reasonable for working vessels, and Congress has the right to check federal agency decisions that enable such overreach.
• Revoking this authorization levels the playing field so California cannot impose stricter rules on commercial operators than federal standards require.

Arguments opponents make

• California has long had special authority under the Clean Air Act to set tougher air quality standards because of its unique pollution problems, and this resolution undermines that established legal framework.
• Harbor craft are a significant source of air pollution in port communities, and blocking these standards could leave residents — often lower-income populations near ports — exposed to worse air quality.
• The EPA reviewed and partially approved these standards through a proper legal process; Congress overriding that decision sets a precedent for political interference in technical regulatory decisions.

Tradeoffs

Blocking the standards may reduce compliance costs and regulatory burden for commercial vessel operators, but at the cost of potentially weaker air pollution controls in California port communities and a reduced ability for the state to enforce its own environmental laws.

Current status in Congress: Passed House.

NewsClear — neutral news & congressional tracking · Bill of the Week