Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025
Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025 - Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would restrict states' ability to set their own vehicle emission standards, particularly those that limit sales of gas-powered cars. Currently, states can adopt stricter emission rules than federal standards if the EPA grants them a waiver. This bill would prevent the EPA from approving waivers for state standards that discourage or ban internal combustion engine vehicles (traditional gas cars).
It would also require the EPA to cancel any waivers it granted for such standards between January 2022 and when the bill becomes law. **Who it affects:** States like California that have adopted stricter vehicle emission standards would be directly impacted, as would manufacturers, consumers, and environmental advocates. States would lose regulatory flexibility to set their own pollution standards, while the auto industry would face fewer state-level restrictions on gas vehicle sales. **Current status:** The bill (S 996) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full Senate.
CRS Official Summary
Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025This bill modifies the waiver process under the Clean Air Act related to state emission control standards for new motor vehicles (or new motor vehicle engines).Under current law, states are preempted from adopting or enforcing emission control standards for new motor vehicles (or new motor vehicle engines) unless the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a waiver authorizing a state to adopt such standards if certain requirements are met.The bill provides that state standards that directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines are not eligible for waivers. The bill also prohibits the EPA from determining that any state standards amended after the bill's enactment are within the scope of an existing waiver.Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to revoke waivers granted between January 1, 2022, and the date of enactment of this bill if the standards directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.