A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Air Plan Approval; Montana; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period".
Summary
S.J. Res. 119 is a congressional disapproval resolution under the Congressional Review Act. It would overturn an Environmental Protection Agency rule titled “Air Plan Approval; Montana; Regional Haze Plan for the Second Implementation Period,” published at 90 Fed. Reg. 54586 (Nov. 28, 2025). If enacted, the resolution would nullify that EPA rule and prevent it from taking effect.
The resolution does not create a new regulatory program or amend Montana law directly. Instead, it uses Congress’s CRA authority to block a federal air-quality approval related to Montana’s regional haze plan, which is part of the Clean Air Act framework for improving visibility in protected areas and reducing pollution that contributes to haze. The practical effect would be to remove federal approval of the Montana plan for the second implementation period and leave the underlying EPA action without force or effect.
Impact
The bill would affect federal environmental regulation rather than state statutory law. By disapproving the EPA’s Montana regional haze plan approval, it would invalidate the federal rule and alter how Montana’s air plan is treated under the Clean Air Act’s regional haze requirements. The main parties affected would be the EPA, the State of Montana, regulated air-emitting sources in Montana, and stakeholders concerned with air quality, visibility protection, and compliance obligations tied to the haze program.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to reflect opposition to the EPA’s Montana haze rule rather than a broadly negotiated compromise. No committee debate or vote history is provided, so there is no recorded bipartisan or partisan sentiment in the materials beyond the sponsor’s decision to introduce a disapproval resolution. The overall tone is procedural and adversarial toward the underlying EPA action.
Contention
The central point of contention is whether the EPA’s approval of Montana’s regional haze plan for the second implementation period is appropriate and should remain in force. Supporters of the resolution would likely argue that Congress should reject the rule, while opponents would likely defend the EPA’s approval as necessary for air-quality and visibility protections. Because no transcripts or votes are included, the specific arguments of members are not available, but the dispute is clearly between those seeking to block the federal rule and those supporting the EPA’s action.