Bill > SB0234

This bill amends existing Utah law to establish new requirements for rules related to environmental health and waste management, which are defined as rules concerning drinking water, water pollution control, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, air quality, solid waste handling, or hazardous waste handling. Specifically, it mandates that when an agency proposes new or changes existing numeric criteria or limitations for regulated materials (which are defined as chemical substances, mixtures, contaminants, pollutants, hazardous substances, solid waste, hazardous constituents, or hazardous waste), these rules cannot be more stringent or extensive than federal law if federal standards exist for the same or similar topics. If no federal standard exists, any new or changed numeric criteria or limitations must be based on the "best available science" and the "weight of scientific evidence." The bill further clarifies that for rules intended to protect human health, safety, or welfare, the "best available science" and "weight of scientific evidence" must demonstrate a direct causal link between exposure at or above the established limits and "manifest bodily harm" (defined as a presently existing and diagnosable physical disease or injury not solely based on the presence of a substance or increased risk of disease). This causal link can be established through human studies or, in their absence, through animal or cell studies if the harm can be extrapolated to humans. The bill also provides exceptions, such as for rules required by federal law for compliance or authorization, site-specific state rules, rules that are less stringent than federal law, or emergency rules.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0234.html