Environment

HJRES 45 is a congressional resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that revised standards for lead dust hazards in housing and post-removal clearance levels. It directly affects property owners, contractors performing lead abatement, and residents in older housing where lead dust risks are present. The bill uses a specific congressional disapproval process under federal law to declare the EPA's November 2024 rule (published in the Federal Register) invalid, preventing it from taking effect. This resolution does not change lead safety standards itself but stops the EPA from implementing the proposed rule.

This bill amends the Endangered Species Act to prevent federal protection for nonnative species and restrict conservation funding. Specifically, it blocks the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from listing nonnative species as endangered or threatened under Section 4(a), and prohibits using federal funds to acquire land in foreign countries for conservation under Section 8(a). It directly affects the administration of the Endangered Species Act and conservation organizations working with nonnative species or international land acquisitions. The key changes are a categorical exclusion of nonnative species from protection and a ban on foreign land purchases using federal conservation funds.

HJRES 30 is a congressional resolution seeking to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that implements the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act of 2020. The resolution targets the EPA's specific rule (published in the Federal Register on October 11, 2024) which establishes a phasedown schedule for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and other applications. If approved, this resolution would formally disapprove the EPA rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing it from taking effect and halting the agency's implementation of the HFC phase-down. The resolution directly affects the EPA’s regulatory authority and the timeline for reducing HFC use, which impacts industries relying on these chemicals.

H.J.Res. 24, enacted May 9, 2025, disapproves a Department of Energy (DOE) rule establishing energy efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. This resolution, passed under the Congressional Review Act, blocks the rule (published December 23, 2024) from taking effect, meaning the DOE’s proposed standards will have no legal force. The action directly affects commercial food equipment manufacturers and businesses using such cooling systems by preventing the implementation of new energy conservation requirements.

This bill repeals multiple tax credits for renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and clean transportation fuels, which currently provide financial incentives to businesses. It directly affects companies that claim these credits, such as renewable energy developers and manufacturers, by eliminating their eligibility for these tax benefits starting in 2025. Key provisions remove specific sections of the tax code (like Sections 45, 45Q, and 48) and adjust related references to reflect the repeal. The changes apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, with no new provisions added - only the removal of existing credits.

This joint resolution (SJRES 73) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that set temporary emission standards for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in aerosol coatings. If passed, it would formally disapprove the EPA's "Interim Final Rule" (published July 2, 2025), preventing it from taking effect. The rule would have required aerosol coating manufacturers to meet specific VOC emission limits, directly affecting companies producing products like spray paints and deodorants. This resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under federal law to halt the EPA's regulatory action.