Keep in mind that state legislators and their families live in the places these laws will affect. All legal reporting requirements and permitting disclosures remain in effect and could not be covered by an audit privilege. Note, the protection will not cover criminal actions, and the law must preserve the ability of regulators to halt activities that pose imminent danger to public health. I want to point out that this legislation will not dilute enforcement. It is important to note that.
Audits are an affirmative tool.
Used properly, they can only be used to achieve an environment that is safer and healthier than the status quo. They do not protect any entity from regular inspection, sampling requirements or monitoring. Some form of federal legislation is necessary to provide the certainty our state laws need to be effective. I think it is a tragedy that the EPA has been so obstructive in giving states a chance to test reasonable and innovative solutions to a cleaner environment.