Air Quality Control Regulation Workforce Impact

The bill requires the executive director of the department of public health and environment (department) to establish a workforce advisory council (council) on or before August 1, 2025, for the purposes of:

• Discussing recommendations concerning the incorporation of workforce impact analyses into the rule-making procedures for rules that impact air quality;
• Recommending standard procedures for the department and the air quality control commission (commission) to follow when conducting workforce impact analyses for inclusion in rule-making procedures; and
• Determining if the establishment of a full-time workforce advocate position would add value to the air quality control rule-making process.

The bill requires the department to report the council's recommendations to the general assembly on or before January 15, 2026.

After January 15, 2026, the council is required to:

• Meet at least 4 times per year;
• Continue to advise the department on the impact of proposed air quality control rules on matters related to employment; and
• Make ongoing recommendations to the governor, the department, and the commission on legislative and regulatory air quality control policies that impact employment matters.
  (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)