Burgess Owens (R-UT)
Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is titled the ``Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act''. It aims to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act regarding water quality criteria development and transparency. Specifically, it requires the Administrator to issue any new or revised water quality criteria through a rule-making process. Additionally, the bill modifies the administrative procedure and judicial review sections of the Federal Water Pollution Act.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill enhances transparency by requiring the EPA Administrator to use formal rule-making and administrative procedures for setting water quality criteria.
- Scored +2
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill improves due process by subjecting the issuance of water quality criteria to formal administrative procedures and judicial review.
- Scored +2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
By requiring a formal rule-making process for water quality criteria, the bill increases regulatory transparency and administrative oversight of water protections.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Increased Administrative Procedure: Under Section 2(a), the Administrator must now issue new or revised water quality criteria by rule, which changes how these standards are implemented.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Changes to Judicial Review: Section 2(b) amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to include the issuance of water quality criteria under section 304(a)(10) within the scope of administrative procedure and judicial review.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill enhances transparency by requiring the EPA Administrator to use formal rule-making and administrative procedures for setting water quality criteria. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill improves due process by subjecting the issuance of water quality criteria to formal administrative procedures and judicial review. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal administrative requirements by mandating that water quality criteria be issued through formal rule-making processes.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — By requiring a formal rule-making process for water quality criteria, the bill increases regulatory transparency and administrative oversight of water protections.
- 6/13/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
- 6/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Introduced in House