A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
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 known as the Buses Utilizing Safety and Environmental Standards Act or the BUSES Act. It stops States and local governments from enforcing engine idling restrictions on over-the-road buses and school buses if the engine idles for less than 15 minutes. It also stops people from starting civil lawsuits against bus owners or operators for these specific idling violations. Additionally, the bill prohibits programs that pay private individuals money for reporting or enforcing bus idling violations. Any bounty-based enforcement programs currently in effect must be ended within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
Preempts state and local governments from enforcing certain engine idling rules.
- Scored +2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Protects bus operators and companies from certain civil lawsuits and penalties related to short-term engine idling.
- Scored +2
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
Prevents restrictive local idling policies that affect school buses and over-the-road bus operations.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -3
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Limits the authority of states and local subdivisions to set and enforce short-term bus idling regulations.
- Scored -2
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
Restricts states from enforcing engine idling rules for buses under 15 minutes, potentially leading to increased emissions.
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Weakens state-level clean air implementation plans regarding short-term bus idling restrictions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection from Lawsuits: Section 2(b) stops any person from starting a civil action against an owner or operator of an over-the-road bus or school bus for alleged violations of engine idling restrictions under 15 minutes, which protects these operators from legal trouble.
-
Ending Cash Reward Programs: Section 2(b) stops States and local governments from having programs that give money to private individuals for reporting or enforcing bus idling violations, and shuts down any current programs within 180 days, which prevents citizen bounty programs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text does not contain any explicit details regarding negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people.
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Protects bus operators and companies from certain civil lawsuits and penalties related to short-term engine idling.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — Prevents restrictive local idling policies that affect school buses and over-the-road bus operations. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Weakens state-level clean air implementation plans regarding short-term bus idling restrictions. Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — Restricts states from enforcing engine idling rules for buses under 15 minutes, potentially leading to increased emissions.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Benefits bus company owners by shielding them from citizen lawsuits and bounty-based fines for short idling. Would people in cities be better off under this?
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Preempts state and local governments from enforcing certain engine idling rules. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Limits the authority of states and local subdivisions to set and enforce short-term bus idling regulations.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/14/2026
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 6/25/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/15/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Michael LawlerRepublican · New York
Glenn ThompsonRepublican · Pennsylvania