SMOKE Act Smoke Mitigation and Occupational Key Enhancements Act
Impact
The bill sets forth provisions that require employers to monitor air quality conditions at the workplace, especially during periods of wildfire smoke, which has been a growing concern linked to increased incidents of respiratory ailments. By instituting these health standards, the bill aims to address a significant gap in workplace safety laws relating to air quality, particularly in locations prone to environmental hazards caused by climate change. It also introduces operational changes, such as the possible provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to employees when adverse air conditions are present.
Summary
House Bill 6221, also known as the Smoke Mitigation and Occupational Key Enhancements Act (SMOKE Act), aims to establish new occupational safety and health standards to protect workers from exposure to adverse air quality conditions, particularly those arising from wildfires. The bill mandates the Secretary of Labor to promulgate standards for monitoring air quality index (AQI) levels concerning particulate matter (PM2.5) and to ensure that employers are aware of and communicate these conditions to their employees.
Contention
One notable point of contention around HB6221 is the feasibility and fiscal responsibility associated with implementing the required monitoring and protective measures. Some critics argue that the bill could impose undue burdens on employers, particularly small businesses, tasked with ensuring compliance under potentially tight financial constraints. Additionally, the scope of the bill raises concerns over regulatory overreach and the balance between protecting workers' rights and allowing employers to operate their businesses effectively in changing environmental contexts.
Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025This bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to air pollution control agencies to support the development and implementation of programs that support local communities in detecting, preparing for, communicating with the public about, or mitigating the environmental and public health aspects of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. The EPA must establish a formula to distribute the grants among air pollution control agencies.The bill requires the EPA to establish four Centers of Excellence for Wildfire Smoke and Extreme Heat at institutions of higher education to research (1) the effects of smoke emissions from wildland fires and extreme heat on public health, and (2) the means by which communities can better respond to impacts from such conditions.Additionally, the EPA must begin to carry out research tostudy the health effects of smoke emissions from wildland fires and extreme heat;develop and disseminate personal and community-based interventions to reduce exposure to, and health effects of, wildland fire smoke emissions and extreme heat;increase the quality of smoke and extreme heat monitoring and prediction tools and techniques; anddevelop implementation and communication strategies.The EPA must also establish a competitive grant program to assist certain entities (e.g., a state) in developing and implementing collaborative community plans for mitigating the impacts of smoke emissions from wildland fires and extreme heat.