State Environmental Health Legislation (50m Lecture)

Every year, NCSL provides NEHA an overview of state environmental health legislation. In addition to state legislation, NCSL also provides insight into state legislative activities.

Bills on environmental health did particularly well, with close to 16 percent of the bills introduced ultimately being signed into law.

NCSL has identified over 1,400 bills on environmental health, being introduced in every state, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Of these, at least 181 laws have been enacted and 38 resolutions were adopted in 43 states. The NCSL Environmental Health Legislative database lists bills into 16 categories: Asbestos; Asthma; Biomonitoring, Tracking and Surveillance; Body Modification; Children’s Environmental Health; Drinking Water, Food Safety; Indoor Air Quality; Lead; Mercury; Pesticides; Swimming Pools; Toxics and Chemicals; Wastewater; Environmental Health Management; and Miscellaneous. The most activity was on Food Safety, however Toxics and Chemicals saw the greatest number of laws enacted (32). Biomonitoring, Tracking and Surveillance saw the fewest (1).

Every state legislature was in session in 2013. Most adjourned by late June, but the legislatures in eight states, D.C. and Puerto Rico will remain in session throughout the year. More states are under single party control (the most since the 1920s), with both chambers of the legislature and the governor being of the same party. Even with single party control, the overall bill passage rate remains around 10 percent. Certain states has a very high passage rate. Colorado had close to a 70 percent passage rate, with both houses and the governor’s office being controlled by Democrats.
 
Session Description/Teaser: Gain insight into novel, unique and progressive state policy that will move the profession of environmental health forward. With Congress incapacitated, it is the state legislatures where policies will and are being made. California is regulating flame-retardant chemicals; Connecticut is labeling GMO foods; Massachusetts has engaged in Green Chemistry; Indiana exempts rabbits and poultry from state inspections; Mississippi wants to label sugary drinks; Hawaii seeks to preserve its native foods. It is the states where the future of environmental health emerges, and working with state legislatures will be key to the EH profession's future.