Nehls reintroduces bill targeting California's emissions waiver

Congressman Troy E. Nehls has reintroduced the Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden (CARB) Act of 2025, aiming to repeal California's emissions waiver exemption. Senator Mike Lee is leading the Senate companion for this legislation.

The Clean Air Act (CAA), passed in 1970, allowed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set air quality and vehicle standards. Under this act, California was permitted to issue its own stricter emission standards through waivers granted by the EPA. These waivers enable California's Air Resources Board (CARB) to enforce regulations that exceed federal standards, affecting gas-powered vehicles, diesel locomotive engines, and equipment sales. Currently, CARB holds over 100 active waivers with higher emissions standards than those of the EPA.

Other states have the option to adopt California's emission standards under the CAA. As of now, seventeen states and the District of Columbia have adopted some of these standards. Congressman Nehls expressed concern that businesses must adapt their plans to comply with CARB standards or risk losing business opportunities in these regions.

"The radical liberal state of California should never be able to govern for our great state of Texas," said Congressman Nehls. "California should not be legislating for the rest of the country."

Senator Lee added his support: "California has abused the Clean Air Act’s waiver provision for years... By putting an end to this overreach, our legislation will keep costs lower for hardworking American families."

The proposed Stop CARB Act seeks to:

- Repeal California’s waiver exemption in Section 209 of the CAA.

- Repeal Section 177 of the CAA, preventing other states from adopting California’s emissions standards.

- Remove references to these waivers in other statutes.

Cosponsors include Representatives Lauren Boebert, Wesley Hunt, Scott Perry, Eric Burlison, Pete Sessions, and Derrick Van Orden. Organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute and Association of American Railroads support this bill.