MONTGOMERY — Members of the Alabama Senate passed legislation restricting the Alabama Department of Environmental Management from passing rules more stringent than the federal government on Tuesday.
The bill would prohibit an agency from adopting a new rule, or amending an existing rule, that establishes standards for certain environmental protection subjects that are more stringent than federal law or regulations. The bill would also require that, in the absence of federal law or regulations, agencies may not adopt a new rule, or amend an existing rule, that establishes standards for certain environmental protection subjects unless the rule is based on the best available science and the weight of scientific evidence.
The bill passed 27-7 along partisan lines.
"SB71 is a commonsense bill that keeps regulatory decisions based on facts, not the far-left agenda that nearly put farmers out of business and tied the hands of the job creators who power our economy. President Trump is sending power back to the states, and Alabama is using it to protect our families, businesses, and way of life," State Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) said in a statement to 1819 News.
The bill prompted the first filibuster of the session by Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) said the bill would lead to more businesses polluting Alabama's waterways.
"Business is requiring us to follow science when they don't know a darn thing about science. They just want to pollute. They just want to have free access to get away with what they want to get away with," Singleton said on the Senate floor.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
