November 20, 2025
Mr. LaMalfa (for himself and Mr. Fulcher) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation to repeal or rescind certain actions, initiatives, policies, and regulations related to engine idle start-stop technology, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Eliminating Start-Stop Engine Nuisance Technologies that Impair Automobile Life Act
or the ESSENTIAL Act
.
Sec. 2. Repeal of certain actions, initiatives, policies, and regulations related to engine idle start-stop technology
(a) In general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law (except subsection (b)), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation—
(1)
shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, repeal or rescind any action, initiative, policy, or regulation of the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Transportation that is specifically designed to encourage, incentivize, promote, or require manufacturers of vehicles (including cars and trucks) to install or equip any such vehicle with engine idle start-stop technology; and
(2)
may not issue, take, or enforce any action, initiative, policy, or regulation that is similar to an action, initiative, policy, or regulation that is repealed or rescinded under paragraph (1).
(b) Exception
Notwithstanding subsection (a), the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation may not repeal or rescind any action, initiative, policy, or regulation if, at the determination of the Administrator or the Secretary, the repeal or rescission would result in increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
(c) Reports
(1) Initial report
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation shall jointly submit to Congress a report that outlines how the Administrator and the Secretary are carrying out subsection (a)(1).
(2) Final report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Transportation shall jointly submit to Congress a report that outlines how the Administrator and the Secretary carried out subsection (a)(1).
(d) Engine idle start-Stop technology defined
In this section, the term engine idle start-stop technology means any technology which enables a vehicle to automatically turn off the engine when the vehicle comes to a rest and restarts the engine when the driver applies pressure to the accelerator or releases the brake.