Bill > HB162

This bill prohibits state agencies from adopting or amending administrative rules that set environmental protection criteria or limitations for various substances and waste handling that are stricter than federal requirements, unless there is no existing federal standard on the same or a similar topic. If no federal standard exists, any new or amended rule must be based on the "best available science" and the "weight of scientific evidence," which are defined to ensure reliability, objectivity, and transparency in the scientific data used. For rules aimed at protecting human health, the science must demonstrate a direct causal link between exposure to the substance at the regulated level and "manifest bodily harm," meaning a currently diagnosable physical disease or injury, not just the presence of a substance or increased risk. This causal link can be established through human studies or, in their absence, through animal or cell studies that can be extrapolated to humans. The bill also clarifies that agencies are not required to use specific federal data sources like the EPA's Integrated Risk Information System and provides exceptions for rules mandated by federal law, those that are less stringent than federal rules, or emergency rules.

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