This bill, titled the "No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Clean Air Act by imposing new congressional oversight on executive exemptions and eliminating a specific exemption. Its primary goal is to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the application of waivers from environmental regulations. A key provision establishes a new process requiring congressional approval for certain "covered exemptions" under the Clean Air Act. These exemptions include those related to emissions from federal facilities (Section 118(b)), federal agency fleet requirements (Section 248(e)), and the phase-out of specific substances (Section 604(f)). Neither the President nor any federal agency can use or extend these exemptions without an enacted joint resolution from Congress. Before an exemption can be used, the President must transmit a special message to both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This message must detail the proposed exemption, its duration, the reasons for its use, the legal authority invoked, and its estimated environmental effect. The Comptroller General is tasked with reviewing these special messages and informing Congress whether the proposed use aligns with existing statutory authority. The bill outlines a detailed legislative procedure for Congress to consider these proposed exemptions. A joint resolution approving the exemption must pass both chambers with an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. This process includes specific rules for committee referral, discharge motions, and floor debate, with limitations on amendments. Furthermore, the bill allows for civil actions against any person, including federal officials, who uses a covered exemption without the required congressional approval. This provision aims to provide a mechanism for enforcement and public accountability. In addition to enhancing oversight, the bill also repeals a specific exemption under Section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act, which previously allowed for waivers from the schedule for compliance regarding hazardous air pollutants, thereby strengthening requirements for controlling such emissions.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026
USA119th CongressHR-9808| House
| Updated: 7/21/2026
This bill, titled the "No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026," seeks to amend the Clean Air Act by imposing new congressional oversight on executive exemptions and eliminating a specific exemption. Its primary goal is to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the application of waivers from environmental regulations. A key provision establishes a new process requiring congressional approval for certain "covered exemptions" under the Clean Air Act. These exemptions include those related to emissions from federal facilities (Section 118(b)), federal agency fleet requirements (Section 248(e)), and the phase-out of specific substances (Section 604(f)). Neither the President nor any federal agency can use or extend these exemptions without an enacted joint resolution from Congress. Before an exemption can be used, the President must transmit a special message to both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This message must detail the proposed exemption, its duration, the reasons for its use, the legal authority invoked, and its estimated environmental effect. The Comptroller General is tasked with reviewing these special messages and informing Congress whether the proposed use aligns with existing statutory authority. The bill outlines a detailed legislative procedure for Congress to consider these proposed exemptions. A joint resolution approving the exemption must pass both chambers with an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. This process includes specific rules for committee referral, discharge motions, and floor debate, with limitations on amendments. Furthermore, the bill allows for civil actions against any person, including federal officials, who uses a covered exemption without the required congressional approval. This provision aims to provide a mechanism for enforcement and public accountability. In addition to enhancing oversight, the bill also repeals a specific exemption under Section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act, which previously allowed for waivers from the schedule for compliance regarding hazardous air pollutants, thereby strengthening requirements for controlling such emissions.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.