To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Programs and Management, Geographic Program for fiscal year 2024.
The impact of HB 2190 could be considerable, as it restricts the EPA's ability to operate certain environmental programs that are critical for protecting public health and the environment. These programs may include essential initiatives related to water quality, pollution control, and ecosystem management. By capping funds at zero, this legislation may undermine existing environmental regulations and oversight, potentially leading to negative consequences for environmental sustainability and public health.
House Bill 2190 introduces a significant limitation on the availability of funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically for environmental programs and management under the Geographic Program for the fiscal year 2024. The bill proposes that, notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the funds authorized to be appropriated or otherwise available for these EPA programs shall not exceed $0. This effectively means that the EPAs funding for these specific initiatives will be entirely halted for the specified fiscal period.
Debates surrounding HB 2190 likely center on the balance between fiscal restraint and environmental protection. Proponents of the bill may argue that it is necessary to limit government spending and reduce the budget deficit, while critics could highlight the essential nature of the EPA’s work and express concerns over the implications of defunding such programs. The bill reflects a broader ideological divide regarding the role of government in environmental management and the priorities of federal spending.