Overview
Title
To amend the Clean Air Act with respect to designating and redesignating nonattainment areas, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The Show the Data Act of 2024 is a plan that changes how we figure out if the air is clean in different areas. It says we should mainly use special air-checking gadgets that belong to the government and talk to the state's leader about it, and also let people know what's happening and hear their thoughts.
Summary AI
H.R. 8986, known as the "Show the Data Act of 2024," proposes amendments to the Clean Air Act focusing on how areas are designated or redesignated as not meeting air quality standards (nonattainment areas). The bill requires these designations to be based specifically on air quality monitoring data from federal monitors located within the respective state. It also clarifies that these actions should involve consultation with the state's governor and be subject to public notice and comment procedures.
Published
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AnalysisAI
The proposed bill, formally known as H.R. 8986, aims to amend the Clean Air Act concerning the designation and redesignation of nonattainment areas. These areas are regions that do not meet national air quality standards. Titled the “Show the Data Act of 2024”, the bill emphasizes using federal air quality monitoring data in determining these designations, signaling a potential shift in how air quality management decisions are made.
General Summary of the Bill
This legislation seeks to refine how areas are classified concerning air quality standards. Specifically, it mandates that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) use air quality data from federal monitors located within a state when deciding if an area meets or fails air quality standards. Additionally, the process for updating these designations would involve consulting with the state's governor and would be subject to a formal notice-and-comment rulemaking process.
Significant Issues
One key issue with the bill is the potential limitation on data sources. By requiring that only federal air quality data within the state be used for area designations, the bill may exclude other valuable data sources that could provide a more comprehensive picture of air quality.
Furthermore, the requirement for governors' consultation is vaguely defined, offering little guidance on how meaningful or formal this engagement should be.
Lastly, the legal language employed regarding procedural elements, specifically the reference to federal procedural code sections, might limit the accessibility and understanding of the bill's processes for those without specific legal expertise.
Impact on the Public
The public might experience both positive and negative effects from this legislation. On one hand, the focus on federal data could standardize how air quality is assessed, potentially leading to more consistent application across different regions. However, this restriction on data sources could also risk ignoring localized or third-party data that might better capture specific air quality issues within a community.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
The bill's implications for state governments are significant. Governors are titled as key participants in the redesignation process, yet without clarity on the extent of involvement required, states might find their influence over these decisions limited.
For environmental advocacy groups and scientific organizations, the restriction on data sources could challenge efforts to incorporate a wider array of scientific evidence into environmental assessments. Conversely, industries affected by air quality regulations might welcome the standardization, as it could reduce the unpredictability of compliance requirements.
In conclusion, while the “Show the Data Act of 2024” aims to refine air quality management by focusing on standardized federal data, it raises concerns about data inclusivity and the ambiguity of state involvement. These aspects will likely influence how effectively the bill achieves its intended outcomes and how it affects different groups.
Issues
The amendment's stipulation that any designation or redesignation of an area is to be based on 'air quality monitoring data from Federal monitors within a State' could restrict the use of valuable air quality data from non-Federal or other sources, potentially limiting the comprehensiveness of environmental assessments (Sec. 2(b)).
The requirement for 'consultation with the Governor' in the redesignation process is vague, as it does not clarify the extent, nature, or format of consultation needed, possibly impacting state engagement and response strategy (Sec. 2(c)).
The bill's usage of complex legal language, such as references to 'section 553 through 557 of title 5 of the United States Code (relating to notice and comment),' might hinder understanding and accessibility for stakeholders without legal expertise, posing a transparency issue (Sec. 2(c)).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section titled "Short title" specifies that this legislative act can be referred to as the “Show the Data Act of 2024”.
2. Designation and redesignation of areas Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines changes to the Clean Air Act, emphasizing that any designation or redesignation of areas related to air quality must be based on federal air quality monitoring data within the state. It also requires consultation with state governors during the process and specifies a notice-and-comment rulemaking process for these decisions.