ENROLLED HOUSE
CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 1031	By:	Enns, Wright, Peterson, Roberts (Sean) and Cooksey of the House

			   and

		Justice, Fields, Allen, Treat, Simpson, Schulz, Ford, Russell, Griffin, Childers, David, Stanislawski, Holt, Brown, Aldridge, Johnson (Rob), Jolley, Brecheen, Brinkley, Halligan, Bingman, Barrington, Marlatt, Branan, Newberry, Coates, Mazzei and Sykes of the Senate

A Concurrent Resolution calling for Congressional oversight of the United States Environmental Protection Agency; specifying matters of concern;  and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, recent years have seen the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) propose and promulgate new regulations at a rate and of a scope that are unprecedented; and

WHEREAS, in many cases the new regulations proposed or promulgated by EPA present overlapping or even inconsistent requirements, resulting in unwarranted burdens and unnecessary confusion for the regulated community; and

WHEREAS, many of these new regulations have a high potential to have a marked negative effect on the economy, jobs and U.S. competitiveness in worldwide markets, and cumulatively, the effects may be extreme; and

WHEREAS, it is especially critical at the present time that government promote economic recovery and foster a stable and predictable business environment that will lead to the creation of jobs; and

WHEREAS, it is also especially important at this time to avoid unnecessarily increasing costs to business and industry that must be passed on to consumers and ratepayers; and

WHEREAS, EPA promulgates many regulatory actions seemingly with little or no regard for the costs; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that new regulations be supported by scientific study and data that demonstrate the need for additional regulatory mandates or constraints; and

WHEREAS, if new regulations are found to be essential, they should be carefully tailored to minimize adverse economic impacts to the regulated community and the public, including the establishment of reasonable time frames for compliance with new requirements; and

WHEREAS, states are in a better position to evaluate the environmental and economic needs and circumstances extant within the state than EPA and other federal agencies; and

WHEREAS states have shown that they are a productive source of ideas and innovation and often are leaders in promoting efficient and effective environmental practices; and

WHEREAS, state agencies are routinely required to identify the costs of their regulations and to justify those costs in light of the benefits; and

WHEREAS, state environmental agencies in Oklahoma and in most other states have demonstrated the ability to adopt and implement rules and programs that provide a safe and healthy environment for citizens of the state in a more efficient and cost-effective way than EPA.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 53RD OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:

THAT the Oklahoma Legislature calls on the United States Congress to exercise extensive and careful oversight of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and pass legislation as necessary, to ensure that:

1.  EPA promulgates nationally applicable rules only when there is a significant national or interstate issue involved, deferring to the states otherwise;

2.  EPA regulations are based on sound science and are fully vetted, with extensive opportunity for comment and deliberation, including by the states;

3.  EPA takes into consideration all plausible alternatives to address an asserted or perceived regulatory need;

4.  EPA takes into account the costs of new regulations not only to business and industry, but also to the general public, whether directly or indirectly; and

5.  When EPA promulgates new rules, it allows fully adequate time for compliance, considering both the human and other resources required as well as the direct economic cost.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the members of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate, Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Governor Mary Fallin.

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 2nd day of April, 2012.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Adopted by the Senate the 1st day of May, 2012.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate