Sovereign State Environmental Quality Assurance Act
This bill, titled the Sovereign State Environmental Quality Assurance Act, would abolish the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and transfer environmental protection responsibilities to designated state environmental quality departments. The EPA would be terminated 270 days after enactment, with a wind-down period to close out existing programs and obligations. To replace federal functions, the bill creates block grants funded by the Treasury to be allocated to specified states (including DC and several U.S. territories) based on population. State governors would designate the environmental quality departments that will use these funds for air, water, waste, chemical safety, radiation protection, and site remediation programs. The bill also requires audits of fund usage, allows for withholding or recovery of funds if misused, and authorizes a substantial multi-year appropriation and administrative support. Finally, it mandates annual GAO studies (2026-2029) evaluating implementation and effectiveness. In short, the act seeks to end the federal EPA’s role and replace it with a state-led environmental program financed by federal block grants, with federal oversight primarily through audits and GAO evaluations rather than ongoing federal regulatory enforcement.
Key Points
- 1Abolishment of EPA and wind-down of its functions: The EPA would be abolished on a termination date 270 days after enactment, with all of its duties and programs terminated on that date. A wind-up process would handle outstanding obligations before termination, and a progress report to Congress would be due within 90 days of enactment.
- 2Block grants to designated state environmental quality departments: Funds would be allocated to each covered state (and certain U.S. territories) roughly in proportion to population. States must designate a state environmental quality department to administer the funds for specified programs (air and water quality, waste management, chemical safety, radiation protection, and site remediation).
- 3Conditions and accountability for funds: States must designate the recipient department, conduct and submit audits of fund use, and the Treasury may withhold or require repayment of funds if misused.
- 4Funding level and duration: A total of $4.4 billion is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year 2026–2029 to carry out the block grant program. Additional funds may be appropriated to administer and audit the program.
- 5Oversight and evaluation: The Comptroller General (GAO) must conduct annual studies on the act’s implementation and effectiveness for fiscal years 2026–2029 and report to Congress, with appropriations authorized to support these studies.