CLEAR Act

The bill extends the review timeline for national ambient air quality standards from five years to ten years, meaning the government would evaluate and potentially update these air quality standards less frequently, giving states more time to comply with them. It introduces a provision allowing the EPA Administrator to consider the likelihood that states can achieve the air quality standards when establishing or revising those standards.

The bill specifies the definition of "exceptional events" and includes provisions for actions to mitigate wildfire risks, with examples including natural disasters or unique events that are unlikely to recur, aiming for greater clarity on which emissions can be excluded from regulatory penalties under the Clean Air Act due to such events. The legislation also outlines that a state cannot face sanctions or fees for failing to meet air quality standards if they can demonstrate that factors beyond their control—like emissions from outside the area—contributed to the violation.

The bill proposes an enhancement to the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure it includes a broader representation from state air pollution control agencies across different regions, allowing for more geographically diverse input on air quality standards and their implications. The bill has been ordered reported by committee on January 21, 2026, making it eligible for a floor vote.