Sponsors
The bill shifts many EPA responsibilities to states while providing temporary, formula-driven funding and increased federal oversight, trading centralized national protections for greater local control and short-term funding but raising public-health risks, fiscal costs, and transition burdens.
State environmental agencies and communities nationwide (especially in urban and rural areas) receive $4.4B/year (2026–2029) in block grants to improve air quality, drinking water protection, and contaminated-site remediation, increasing resources for public health and cleanup.
State and local governments (and private parties) gain responsibility and localized control over environmental regulation formerly managed by the EPA, allowing states to tailor enforcement and standards to local conditions.
All States and territories receive predictable, population-based block grants so funding allocation is formula-driven and easier to plan and budget.
Millions of Americans—especially low-income households, communities of color, and urban and rural residents—face higher health risks from worse air quality, compromised drinking water, halted cleanup programs, and reduced federal public-health surveillance if EPA authorities and programs end.
Long-term climate mitigation efforts could be disrupted as federal programs, emissions standards, and enforcement authorities are eliminated, undermining national efforts to reduce greenhouse gases.
The Act increases federal spending by about $17.6 billion over 2026–2029 (plus unspecified GAO funding), which could raise deficits or crowd out other federal priorities.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Introduced May 13, 2025 by Clay Higgins · Last progress May 13, 2025
Abolishes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 270 days after the law is enacted and transfers federal environmental program responsibility to the states through annual block grants. The Treasury will distribute $4.4 billion per year (FY2026–FY2029) to governors, who must designate state environmental agencies to spend the money on air, water, waste, chemical/radiation safety, and site cleanup; audits and repayment/withholding rules apply. The Government Accountability Office will produce annual reports on implementation for each fiscal year 2026–2029.