Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
This bill amends Clean Air Act section 209(e)(1) to explicitly prohibit states from adopting standards that control emissions from existing locomotives and engines used in locomotives that are "engaged in commerce" (defined to include common carrier railroad transportation under 49 U.S.C. 10102). It also adjusts the enumerated list of nonroad engines/vehicles in that section (including smaller construction and farm equipment) and adds locomotives/locomotive engines to the preemption language.
State authority and local air quality vs federal uniformity for commerce
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment to the Clean Air Act that clearly and specifically modifies statutory text to prohibit State standards for emissions from certain locomotives.
This bill amends Clean Air Act section 209(e)(1) to explicitly prohibit states from adopting standards that control emissions from existing locomotives and engines used in locomotives that are "engaged in commerce" (defined to include common carrier railroad transportation under 49 U.S.C. 10102).
It also adjusts the enumerated list of nonroad engines/vehicles in that section (including smaller construction and farm equipment) and adds locomotives/locomotive engines to the preemption language.
The effect is federal preemption of state emission standards for the covered locomotives.
Low fiscal footprint helps, but high controversy over federal preemption and weak compromise features reduce chances, especially in the Senate.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment to the Clean Air Act that clearly and specifically modifies statutory text to prohibit State standards for emissions from certain locomotives. It integrates with existing law via direct amendments and cross-references, but it does not include fiscal statements, implementation timelines, or oversight provisions.
State authority and local air quality vs federal uniformity for commerce
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
State authority and local air quality vs federal uniformity for commerce
Likely to view the bill negatively because it removes state authority to impose stricter emissions limits on locomotives, undermining local air quality and environmental justice efforts.
Would want federal replacement standards, funding for retrofits, or protections for communities near railyards before supporting it.
A pragmatic view: appreciates reducing regulatory inconsistency for interstate commerce, but concerned about ceding state flexibility without a clear federal substitute.
Would support only if the federal government commits to timely standards or assistance to control emissions.
Likely supportive: favors federal preemption to protect interstate commerce and prevent state-level regulatory burdens on rail operators.
Sees the bill as limiting state overreach and promoting uniformity and economic efficiency.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Low fiscal footprint helps, but high controversy over federal preemption and weak compromise features reduce chances, especially in the Senate.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
State authority and local air quality vs federal uniformity for commerce
Low fiscal footprint helps, but high controversy over federal preemption and weak compromise features reduce chances, especially in the Sen…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly focused substantive amendment to the Clean Air Act that clearly and specifically modifies statutory text to prohibit State standards for emissions from…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.