Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels".
This bill uses the Congressional Review Act (CRA) mechanism to disapprove a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule. The rule in question is EPA’s "Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels," published as 89 Fed. Reg. 89416 on November 12, 2024. If enacted, the joint resolution would permanently block that rule from taking effect and would prevent the EPA from enforcing it in its current form. In short, Congress would maintain the status quo on lead-dust standards by nullifying the EPA’s attempt to revise them. Under CRA disapproval, the rule cannot take effect and cannot be reissued in substantially the same form unless Congress enacts new legislation authorizing a different approach. The bill was introduced in the House by Mr. Clyde and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Key Points
- 1What it does: Provides for congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act of EPA’s rule on reconsidering dust-lead hazard standards and post-abatement clearance levels.
- 2Scope of the rule being disapproved: The EPA rule titled “Reconsideration of the Dust-Lead Hazard Standards and Dust-Lead Post-Abatement Clearance Levels” (published in 2024) related to lead dust thresholds used to protect children from lead exposure and guidance after lead-remediation work.
- 3Legal effect if enacted: The rule would have no force or effect; the EPA would not be able to implement or enforce that rule as written, effectively maintaining prior standards.
- 4Legislative status and process: Introduced in the House (sponsor: Mr. Clyde) and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce; would require passage by both houses and, typically, signature by the President to become law.
- 5Policy implication: Signals Congress’s intent to block a potential update to lead-dust standards and post-abatement clearance levels, keeping existing standards in place and preventing the EPA from adopting the reconsidered levels unless Congress acts differently.