Bill 118 s 3724, also known as the "IRIS Act," aims to restrict the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from utilizing assessments produced by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) as a primary data source in the development of regulations and other actions. The IRIS system is a program within the EPA that evaluates the health risks associated with exposure to various chemicals and substances.
The bill proposes that the EPA must not consider IRIS assessments as a tier 1 data source when making decisions on rulemakings and other regulatory activities. This means that the EPA would be required to seek alternative sources of information and data when developing regulations, rather than relying heavily on assessments from the IRIS system.
The purpose of this legislation is to potentially limit the influence of the IRIS system on EPA decision-making processes, as some critics argue that the assessments produced by IRIS may not always be scientifically sound or reliable. By prohibiting the use of IRIS assessments as a tier 1 data source, the bill aims to ensure that the EPA considers a broader range of scientific evidence and data when developing regulations.
Overall, Bill 118 s 3724 seeks to promote transparency and accountability in the EPA's regulatory actions by encouraging the use of diverse sources of information in the decision-making process. It is important to note that this bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process and may undergo changes before potentially becoming law.