Bill Summary
The "Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2025" is a legislative proposal aimed at clarifying the regulation of pesticides in relation to navigable waters under two key federal laws: the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA).
**Key Provisions:**
1. **Permit Exemptions for Pesticides**: The bill stipulates that neither the federal government nor state authorities can require a permit for the discharge of pesticides that are authorized for use under FIFRA when such discharges occur into navigable waters. This is intended to reduce regulatory burdens on pesticide applicators.
2. **Exceptions to Permit Exemption**: The bill outlines specific exceptions where a permit would still be required, including:
- Discharges resulting from the improper application of pesticides that violate FIFRA and negatively impact water quality.
- Stormwater discharges that are regulated separately.
- Industrial and manufacturing effluents, as well as discharges from the operation of vessels.
Overall, the legislation seeks to streamline the regulatory framework governing pesticide use near water bodies while maintaining certain protections for water quality.
Possible Impacts
The "Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2025" can have several implications for people, particularly in terms of environmental health, agricultural practices, and regulatory oversight. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect individuals and communities:
1. **Increased Risk of Water Pollution**:
By eliminating the requirement for permits for the discharge of authorized pesticides into navigable waters, the legislation could lead to increased pesticide runoff into rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. This could negatively affect the quality of drinking water for nearby communities, pose health risks to individuals (such as increased incidence of waterborne diseases or exposure to harmful chemicals), and harm aquatic ecosystems, which in turn could disrupt fishing and recreational activities.
2. **Impacts on Agricultural Practices**:
Farmers and agricultural businesses may benefit from reduced regulatory burdens, allowing for easier application of pesticides without the need for permits. This could lead to higher crop yields and lower costs for farmers; however, it could also encourage the overuse of pesticides, potentially leading to a loss of biodiversity, the development of pesticide-resistant pests, and increased long-term dependency on chemical solutions, which could be detrimental to sustainable farming practices.
3. **Community Health and Environmental Justice Concerns**:
Communities, especially those located near agricultural areas or waterways, may experience heightened health risks due to increased pesticide exposure. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, may be disproportionately affected. Additionally, communities that may already face environmental injustices could see exacerbated health disparities due to a lack of regulatory protections against pesticide pollution, leading to calls for greater advocacy and awareness of environmental health issues.
These examples illustrate the potential trade-offs between regulatory relief for pesticide use and the protection of public health and the environment.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3824 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3824
To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent
regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable
waters, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 6, 2025
Mr. Rouzer (for himself, Mr. Sessions, Ms. Maloy, Mr. Newhouse, and Mr.
Evans of Colorado) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to
the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent
regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable
waters, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. USE OF AUTHORIZED PESTICIDES.
Section 3(f) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act (7 U.S.C. 136a(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Use of authorized pesticides.--Except as provided in
section 402(t) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the
Administrator or a State may not require a permit under such
Act for a discharge from a point source into navigable waters
of a pesticide authorized for sale, distribution, or use under
this Act, or the residue of such a pesticide, resulting from
the application of such pesticide.''.
SEC. 3. DISCHARGES OF PESTICIDES.
Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1342) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(t) Discharges of Pesticides.--
``(1) No permit requirement.--Except as provided in
paragraph (2), a permit shall not be required by the
Administrator or a State under this Act for a discharge from a
point source into navigable waters of a pesticide authorized
for sale, distribution, or use under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or the residue of such a
pesticide, resulting from the application of such pesticide.
``(2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the
following discharges of a pesticide or pesticide residue:
``(A) A discharge resulting from the application of
a pesticide in violation of a provision of the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act that is
relevant to protecting water quality, if--
``(i) the discharge would not have occurred
but for the violation; or
``(ii) the amount of pesticide or pesticide
residue in the discharge is greater than would
have occurred without the violation.
``(B) Stormwater discharges subject to regulation
under subsection (p).
``(C) The following discharges subject to
regulation under this section:
``(i) Manufacturing or industrial effluent.
``(ii) Treatment works effluent.
``(iii) Discharges incidental to the normal
operation of a vessel, including a discharge
resulting from ballasting operations or vessel
biofouling prevention.''.
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