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119-hr-9618119th Congress

DEF Act

Sponsored By: Representative Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

In Committee

Summary

Creates a 10-year regulatory safe-harbor for certain diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) quality monitoring and inducement strategies. It would let actions described in specific guidance avoid being treated as prohibited acts and limits new, stricter emission rules for on-road and nonroad diesel engines during that period.

Show full summary
  • Vehicle and engine manufacturers gain clearer certainty. The bill would allow inducement strategies and DEF-quality monitoring that match covered guidance without triggering prohibited-act claims and would bar standards stricter than the 2007 or 2010 on-road standards or Tier 4 nonroad standards for 10 years.
  • Owners, fleet operators, and repair shops see more predictable maintenance and updates. The bill would permit software updates, repair strategies, diagnostics, and monitoring consistent with guidance and existing certification and useful-life rules.
  • EPA rulemaking and future standards would face new limits and timing rules. Any post-10-year standard must apply for at least 3 model years and not take effect earlier than the model year starting 5 years after promulgation, and EPA must weigh durability, resale, costs, and national consistency when setting new requirements.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

10-year pause for on-road diesel rules

If enacted, the bill would create a 10-year safe harbor for certain inducement strategies and DEF quality monitoring for new and in-use on-road diesel vehicles and engines. The bill would bar the EPA from issuing any on-road standard stricter than the defined 2007 or 2010 baselines during that 10-year period. Covered baselines are the 2007 and 2010 standards as they stood on January 1, 2025, and the bill names guidance documents dated August 11, 2025 and March 26, 2026. After the 10 years, any new standard would have to apply for at least three model years and could not take effect earlier than the model year that begins five years after the standard is set. The bill would still allow software updates, recalls, and enforcement against tampering consistent with certification rules.

10-year pause for nonroad diesel rules

If enacted, the bill would create a 10-year safe harbor for certain inducement, repair-override, and DEF monitoring practices for nonroad equipment and engines that meet Tier 4 baselines. The bill would bar EPA from issuing any nonroad standard stricter than Tier 4 as in effect on January 1, 2025, during that 10-year period. The bill names guidance documents dated August 11, 2025, January 30, 2026, and March 26, 2026 as the covered guidance. After the 10 years, new nonroad standards must apply for at least three model years and cannot take effect earlier than the model year starting five years after they are set. The bill would not let anyone permanently disable emissions controls and would still allow approved software updates, recalls, and enforcement against tampering.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large]

ND • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1]

    MI • R

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Fischbach, Michelle [R-MN-7]

    MN • R

    Sponsored 7/9/2026

  • Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]

    VA • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

  • Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 7/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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