Congress moves to block Forest Service law-enforcement rule—details withheld
H.J.Res. 36 — 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". · Filed by Celeste Maloy (R-UT) · 6 cosponsors · Introduced Feb 5, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act to block a Forest Service rule on law enforcement and criminal prohibitions that was published in November 2024. If passed, the rule would be nullified and have no legal effect. The resolution does not explain what the underlying rule actually does—only that it relates to law enforcement and criminal conduct on national forests.
Why we flagged it
This is a procedural CRA resolution that invokes the fast-track disapproval mechanism under 5 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. to nullify a specific executive-branch rule. It is not substantive legislation but a procedural tool to reverse regulatory action.
What the text implies
- The resolution does not disclose what specific criminal prohibitions or law-enforcement powers the underlying rule created, making it impossible to assess whether disapproval removes protections against poaching, illegal mining, arson, or other conduct.
- If the rule addressed enforcement of existing statutes (e.g., Lacey Act, National Forest Management Act), disapproval may not repeal those statutes but may strip the Forest Service of implementing guidance or authority to enforce them.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
timber companies; mining operators; grazing permittees