SJRES 55: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration relating to "Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles; Compressed Hydrogen Storage System Integrity; Incorporation by Reference".

SJRES 55 in plain English: This joint resolution would nullify a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rule published on January 17, 2025, that established two new federal safety standards for hydrogen-powered vehicles. The standards set performance requirements for hydrogen fuel systems during normal use and after crashes, and for compressed hydrogen storage systems to prevent leaks or bursts.

Stated purpose

To cancel a federal safety rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that set performance and safety standards for hydrogen-powered vehicles and their fuel storage systems, so that the rule has no legal force or effect.

Key points

• Cancels two new federal safety standards (FMVSS No. 307 and No. 308) for hydrogen-powered vehicles
• FMVSS No. 307 covers hydrogen fuel system performance during normal operation and after crashes
• FMVSS No. 308 covers compressed hydrogen storage systems, including valves and pressure relief devices
• The nullified rule was based on a UN Global Technical Regulation on hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles

Arguments supporters make

• The rule was based on a United Nations international agreement, and Congress should decide whether to adopt such standards rather than having them automatically incorporated into U.S. law through a federal agency.
• Eliminating this regulation reduces compliance costs and red tape for companies developing hydrogen vehicles, helping a still-emerging industry grow without excessive government burdens.
• Congress has the authority and responsibility under the Congressional Review Act to check agency rulemaking, and using that power here is a proper exercise of legislative oversight.

Arguments opponents make

• Hydrogen is highly flammable and the safety standards were designed to prevent leaks and bursts in vehicle fuel systems, so removing them could leave drivers and the public without important protections.
• The rule aligns U.S. standards with a global technical regulation, and canceling it could create mismatched rules that make it harder for American manufacturers to sell hydrogen vehicles in international markets.
• NHTSA spent years developing these standards through an established rulemaking process; overturning the result by resolution bypasses the technical expertise and public input that went into the rule.

Tradeoffs

Blocking the rule removes regulatory costs and federal mandates on hydrogen vehicle makers, but also eliminates the safety performance floor those rules were meant to establish for fuel system integrity; the resolution trades a layer of consumer and public safety protection for reduced industry compliance requirements.

Current status in Congress: Passed Senate.

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