HR 129 (LSB 5526YH (3) 84)

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 129

BY  HAGER

A Resolution to urge the United States Senate to enact the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011.

   WHEREAS, there is uncertainty regarding possible plans by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise the national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards (40 C.F.R. pt. 50) as those standards could be applied to particulate matter comprised of blowing dirt and naturally occurring organic material common in rural areas and including dust from farming operations and country roads; and
   WHEREAS, during the 112th Congress, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011, H.R. 1633, was introduced, with 121 cosponsors, preventing the United States EPA from proposing, finalizing, implementing, or enforcing any regulation revising the national primary and secondary ambient air quality standards on particulate matter from such dust; and
   WHEREAS, on December 8, 2011, the United States House of Representatives passed the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 by a vote of 268 voting aye and 150 voting nay, which included aye votes by all of Iowa’s U.S. House of Representatives delegation; and
   WHEREAS, on December 13, 2011, H.R. 1633 was placed on the United States Senate Legislative Calendar and has received no further action by the U.S. Senate; and
   WHEREAS, the Honorable Senator Mike Johanns, with 26 cosponsors, including the Honorable Senator Chuck Grassley, introduced S. 1528, the Senate version of the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011, which on September 8, 2011, was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the Iowa House of Repersentatives urges the United States Senate to enact the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011 with all possible deliberation in order to effectuate this important congressional protection against an unnecessary intrusion into rural life and agriculture at a time when the world increasingly looks to the American farmer to produce its food and fiber; and

   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Honorable Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Honorable Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and the Honorable Senator Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader of the United States Senate; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Honorable Senator Barbara Boxer, Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Honorable Senator James M. Inhofe, Ranking Member of the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; and
   BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to each member of Iowa’s congressional delegation.