H.R. 9317: Buses Utilizing Safety and Environmental Standards Act

This bill would create a federal rule limiting how states and local governments can regulate bus engine idling. In plain terms, it would stop states and localities from enforcing any idling ban or restriction that applies to:

• over-the-road buses, and
• school buses,

if the engine has been idling for less than 15 minutes.

What changes under the bill

The bill would amend the Clean Air Act so that state pollution-control plans cannot include idling restrictions for those buses below the 15-minute threshold. It would also block states and local governments from enforcing such limits through those air-quality plans.

How enforcement would change

The bill would also limit lawsuits and certain enforcement programs:

• People would not be allowed to file civil lawsuits under the Clean Air Act against owners or operators of over-the-road buses or school buses for violating the covered idling restrictions.
• States and local governments would be prohibited from running “bounty” programs that pay private individuals to report, cite, or help enforce idling violations for over-the-road buses.
• Any such payment-based reporting program already in place would have to end within 180 days after the law takes effect.

Definitions

The bill uses the existing legal definition of over-the-road bus from federal law. It does not create a new definition for school buses; it simply refers to them directly.

Practical effect

If enacted, the bill would set a national minimum standard preventing states and local governments from imposing or enforcing bus idling restrictions shorter than 15 minutes for the covered buses. It would leave longer idling restrictions in place if otherwise allowed under law.

Relevant Companies

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