ZELDIN Act

This bill establishes new requirements for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding legal actions and grant management. Specifically, it mandates that the Administrator seek congressional approval through a joint resolution before dismissing lawsuits or withdrawing referrals to the Department of Justice concerning claims related to the release of chemicals identified as likely or known human carcinogens by the EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment. The bill outlines an expedited process for congressional consideration of such approval resolutions.

Additionally, the legislation requires the Administrator to consult with the EPA's Office of General Counsel (OGC) to ensure compliance with existing rules and terms before terminating any grants or cooperative agreements. The Administrator is prohibited from terminating such agreements unless the OGC determines that the termination is in compliance. The bill also protects grant obligations, preventing funds from being deemed unobligated or returned to the Treasury until all related civil actions and administrative processes are complete.

Furthermore, federal agencies are prohibited from penalizing grant recipients for failure to close out grants during ongoing judicial proceedings contesting termination. The bill also codifies specific EPA rulemaking processes, requiring the Administrator to follow OMB Circular No. A-4 for significant regulatory actions and the EPA's Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses for economic analyses. Individuals harmed by violations of this Act can seek judicial relief, including damages, and the Administrator's pay can be reduced to $1 for certain violations. This Act is set to sunset on January 20, 2029.