US Federal Senate Bill SJR17

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture relating to "Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions".

Summary

SJR17 is a joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act that would nullify a Forest Service rule issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture titled “Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions.” The resolution states that Congress disapproves the rule published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2024, and provides that the rule would have no force or effect if the resolution is enacted. The measure does not itself create new regulatory standards; instead, it is a disapproval resolution aimed at overturning an existing federal agency rule. Its practical effect would be to prevent the Forest Service rule from taking effect and would also bar the agency from reissuing a substantially similar rule unless authorized by subsequent law, as provided under the Congressional Review Act framework.

Impact

If enacted, SJR17 would invalidate the Forest Service’s “Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions” rule and remove it from the body of enforceable federal regulations. The bill would affect the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and any regulated parties subject to the rule, including individuals or entities operating on National Forest System lands. Because it is a Congressional Review Act resolution, its legal impact is limited to disapproving the specific rule rather than amending the underlying statutes governing Forest Service law enforcement authority.

Sentiment

Based on the available record, the bill appears to have been introduced by a group of Republican senators and referred to committee without recorded floor debate or votes in the provided materials. The sponsorship suggests support among the bill’s cosponsors for limiting or overturning the Forest Service rule. No committee transcript or vote history is available here to show broader bipartisan support or opposition.

Contention

The central point of contention is the underlying Forest Service rule on law enforcement and criminal prohibitions, which the resolution seeks to отменить. Supporters of the resolution likely view the rule as an overreach or an inappropriate expansion of agency authority, while opponents would likely argue that the rule is a legitimate exercise of Forest Service regulatory and enforcement powers. Because no hearing transcript or vote record is provided, the specific objections and counterarguments are not documented in the supplied materials.