House Bill 162 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Troy StubbsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Administrative rules; adopting environmental protection criteria stricter than federal requirements prohibited

Summary

HB162 would prohibit Alabama agencies from creating environmental rules that are stricter than federal standards, and would require science-based justification when no federal standard exists.

What This Bill Does

It would bar state agencies from adopting or amending rules that establish environmental standards more stringent than federal law or regulations for topics such as drinking water, water pollution control, air quality, hazardous substances, and waste handling. If there is no federal standard on a topic, the bill requires any new or amended rule to be based on best available science and the weight of scientific evidence. For health-related rules, it requires a direct causal link between exposure and bodily harm and allows supporting evidence from animal studies if extrapolated to humans; it also defines key terms and lists exceptions, including federal-law rules and emergency rules. The bill is slated to take effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• State agencies and rulemaking bodies in Alabama would be restricted from setting standards more stringent than federal requirements and must justify rules with best available science when no federal standard exists.
• Residents, businesses, and industries in Alabama could see environmental protections aligned with federal standards and potentially experience changes in health protections and regulatory costs, depending on how state rules compare to federal rules.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits an agency from adopting new or amended rules that establish environmental standards more stringent than any federal law or regulation for topics including drinking water, water pollution control, air quality, hazardous substances, contaminated site remediation, solid waste handling, and hazardous waste handling.
• Requires, when no federal standard exists, that new or amended rules establishing numeric criteria or limitations be based on best available science and the weight of scientific evidence, with detailed definitions and an evidentiary standard for health-related rules; also permits animal studies for extrapolation, clarifies exclusion of EPA IRIS values, and outlines relevant exceptions and effective date.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Administrative Law and Procedures