AL HB162

Prohibits Alabama agencies from adopting environmental rules with standards more stringent than federal law or regulations for drinking water, water pollution, air quality, hazardous waste, solid waste, and contaminated site remediation

Requires any new environmental rules in areas without existing federal standards to be based on "best available science" and "weight of scientific evidence," including peer-reviewed studies and independently verifiable data

Mandates that health-protective rules demonstrate a direct causal link between exposure levels and "manifest bodily harm" (presently existing, diagnosable physical disease or injury)

Exempts rules required by federal law, rules less stringent than federal standards, rules that repeal or weaken existing regulations, and emergency rules

Effective date: October 1, 2026