A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture relating to "Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions".

Legislative Summary: S.J.Res. 17

Overview

S.J.Res. 17 is a joint resolution introduced in the 119th Congress aimed at overturning a specific regulation issued by the U.S. Forest Service (under the Department of Agriculture). The resolution utilizes the Congressional Review Act (CRA)—specifically Chapter 8 of Title 5 of the U.S. Code—which allows Congress to void a rule submitted by a federal agency.

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of this resolution is to exercise congressional disapproval of a rule pertaining to "Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions," published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 92808).

If passed, the resolution would render the rule null and void, meaning the regulation would have "no force or effect," effectively erasing the agency's new prohibitions or law enforcement guidelines as if they had never been enacted.

Key Provisions

• Disapproval of Rule: The resolution explicitly disapproves of the Forest Service rule regarding law enforcement and criminal prohibitions.
• Immediate Nullification: Upon becoming law, the specified regulation is invalidated.
• Legal Restriction: Under the Congressional Review Act, if a rule is disapproved by a joint resolution, the agency (in this case, the Forest Service) is generally prohibited from issuing a new rule that is "substantially the same" as the disapproved rule without an explicit act of Congress.

Who is Affected?

• The U.S. Forest Service: The agency would lose the legal authority to enforce the specific prohibitions outlined in the November 2024 rule.
• Public Land Users: Individuals and organizations utilizing National Forest lands would no longer be subject to the specific criminal prohibitions or law enforcement changes introduced by this rule.
• Law Enforcement Officers: Federal officers operating within Forest Service jurisdiction would be unable to cite or arrest individuals based on the specific provisions of the disapproved rule.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: February 6, 2025.
• Current Status: The resolution has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
• Sponsors: The bill is supported by a group of senators, including Mike Lee, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, and Mike Rounds.

Summary Table