ELKINS LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE SOUND SCIENCE IN STATE REGULATIONS PASSES COMMITTEE
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2026) — Legislation sponsored by Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, to require state agencies to rely on sound science when developing administrative regulations has advanced out of the Senate committee on Natural Resources and Energy and now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Senate Bill 178 establishes clear standards to ensure that regulations impacting public health, safety and the environment are grounded in reliable, unbiased and peer-reviewed science. The measure requires certain state regulations to be based on the “best available science” and directs agencies to consider the full weight of scientific evidence before adopting new standards.
“Moving this bill out of committee is an important step toward restoring confidence in the regulatory process,” Elkins said. “Kentuckians deserve to know that when new rules are imposed, they are based on credible data and transparent analysis, not just speculation or shifting political priorities.”
SB 178 defines key terms such as “best available science” and “weight of scientific evidence” to create consistency across agencies. It requires the use of generally accepted scientific and technical practices when developing regulations related to chemical substances, pollutants and environmental standards. The legislation also aligns state regulatory authority with existing federal standards when applicable, offering greater clarity for businesses, communities and regulated entities.
Elkins emphasized that the bill strengthens protections for public health and the environment.
“Effective protections depend on credible evidence,” he said. “By setting clear expectations for how scientific information is evaluated and applied, this legislation ensures regulations are responsible, defensible and rooted in fact.”
Senate Bill 178 now advances to the Senate floor for a vote.