PASSEDHarris County Commissioners Court · 2026-02-12

The Court approved filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for failing to designate Harris County as a nonattainment area under the 2024 Annual PM2.5 standard as required by the Federal Clean Air Act.

What it means for you

Harris County will sue the EPA in an effort to compel the federal agency to formally classify the county as failing to meet federal fine particle air pollution standards, which could trigger additional regulatory and remediation requirements.

Outcome

A motion was made by Commissioner Garcia, seconded by Commissioner Briones, that this item be approved. The motion carried by the following vote: (4-1)

How each member voted

Lina Hidalgo (County Judge): AyeRodney Ellis (Commissioner, Precinct 1): AyeAdrian Garcia (Commissioner, Precinct 2): AyeTom S. Ramsey (Commissioner, Precinct 3): NayLesley Briones (Commissioner, Precinct 4): Aye

4–1, per the official record.

Public safety — see all →Harris County

Official source

Official meeting record — Harris County Legistar ↗

The record includes an individually-attributed vote for this item, shown above.

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Quick answersfrom the official record

Who decides?Decided by a vote of the Harris County Commissioners Court. County Attorney brought it forward. Taken up at the February 12, 2026 meeting — Adopted.Legistar record ↗

The official caption doesn't name a dollar amount, a beneficiary, or who pays for it — full details in the official Legistar record ↗

Cite this: https://plaindocket.com/item/real-hc26-1155-180172 — data from official records via PlainDocket.