Chemical Manufacturing Security and Regulatory Flexibility Act

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the 'Chemical Manufacturing Security and Regulatory Flexibility Act'. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. (a) Findings.—Congress finds that (1) the domestic chemical manufacturing industry is vital to national security and economic prosperity; (2) certain stationary sources face regulatory burdens that may impede their ability to implement security enhancements; (3) targeted, temporary regulatory relief can incentivize security investments without compromising public health or the environment. (b) Purpose.—The purpose of this Act is to authorize the President to grant temporary relief from certain environmental regulations for stationary sources that demonstrate a verifiable commitment to improving chemical security, subject to strict conditions and oversight. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) 'Stationary source' has the meaning given in section 111(a) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7411(a)). (2) 'Security enhancement' means a physical, operational, or cybersecurity measure that reduces the risk of a chemical release, sabotage, or terrorist attack. (3) 'Regulatory relief' means a temporary waiver or modification of a requirement under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, or the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as specified in the application. SEC. 4. AUTHORITY TO GRANT REGULATORY RELIEF. (a) In General.—The President may, upon application by the owner or operator of a stationary source, grant regulatory relief for a period not to exceed three years if the President determines that (1) the relief is necessary to implement a security enhancement; (2) the relief will not result in a significant increase in risk to public health or the environment; (3) the applicant has submitted a security plan approved by the Department of Homeland Security; and (4) the relief is consistent with the national interest. (b) Conditions.—The President shall impose conditions on any relief granted, including monitoring, reporting, and a requirement to maintain baseline compliance with all other applicable laws. (c) Limitation.—No relief may be granted for a stationary source that has been subject to a final enforcement action for a violation of environmental law within the preceding five years. SEC. 5. OVERSIGHT AND REPORTING. (a) Comptroller General Review.—The Comptroller General shall conduct an annual review of the implementation of this Act and submit a report to Congress on the number of grants, their effects on security and the environment, and any recommendations. (b) Public Notice.—The President shall publish notice of each application and decision in the Federal Register, including a summary of the security plan and the basis for the determination. SEC. 6. JUDICIAL REVIEW. Any person aggrieved by a grant or denial of regulatory relief under this Act may file a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit within 60 days of the decision. The court shall set aside the decision if it is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law. SEC. 7. FUNDING. There is authorized to be appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this Act. SEC. 8. SUNSET. This Act shall expire on September 30, 2030, unless reauthorized by Congress. SEC. 9. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Act is held invalid, the remainder shall not be affected.