HJRES 105119th CongressSent to President

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan".

Introduced: Jul 10, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large] (R-North Dakota)

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to disapprove a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule governing the North Dakota Field Office. The rule in question is the North Dakota Field Office Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan (ROD/ARMP). The bill states Congress disapproves this rule, citing a Government Accountability Office (GAO) letter that the ROD/ARMP constitutes a rule under the CRA. If enacted, the rule would have no force or effect. In practical terms, if this joint resolution becomes law, the BLM would not be bound by the North Dakota ROD/ARMP and would likely need to operate under prior management decisions or develop a new plan in compliance with applicable law.

Key Points

1The bill uses the Congressional Review Act mechanism to disapprove the BLM rule for the North Dakota Field Office, specifically the ROD and ARMP.
2It cites a GAO letter (dated June 25, 2025) concluding that the ROD/ARMP is a rule subject to CRA review.
3If enacted, the disapproval codifies that the ROD/ARMP “shall have no force or effect.”
4The action is geographically limited to the North Dakota Field Office’s management plan and does not automatically affect BLM rules in other states.
5The bill status indicates it has passed the House (as of September 3, 2025) and would still require Senate approval and the President’s signature to become law.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Public lands in North Dakota managed by the BLM, including any land use decisions, resource management, and activities (e.g., energy development, grazing, recreation) tied to the North Dakota Field Office plan.Secondary group/area affected- State and local stakeholders in North Dakota (e.g., energy developers, ranchers, conservation groups, local tribes) who rely on BLM land-use decisions.- Other federal agencies and entities coordinating with BLM on land management in the region.Additional impacts- Regulatory certainty: The disapproval would halt the implementation of the North Dakota ROD/ARMP, potentially delaying or changing future land-use approvals and permitting decisions.- Policy implications: Signals Congressional oversight over agency land-management rules and may influence how BLM approaches future planning in North Dakota and elsewhere.- Administrative transition: If the rule is voided, BLM may revert to prior management decisions or be prompted to re-propose a new plan consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

Generated by gpt-5-nano on Oct 7, 2025