Indiana House backs bill to limit state environmental rules

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana House has approved a bill that would prevent state agencies from enacting environmental rules tougher than those imposed by the federal government.

The House voted 64-33 Tuesday to send the bill to the Senate for consideration.

Republican Rep. David Wolkins of Winona Lake says he's hopeful his bill will get a hearing in that chamber this session. Similar bills Wolkins has sponsored in past years have never received Senate hearings.

More than 15 environmental, public health and other groups oppose the legislation, which the House Environmental Rules committee narrowly endorsed last week.

Hoosier Environmental Council staff attorney Kim Ferraro told that panel Indiana needs to hold onto its ability to adopt rules and standards tougher than their federal equivalents to protect its environment and the public health.