SB159.html

To amend Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state printing and documents, so as to provide public access to scientific data used as the basis or justification for public policy; to provide a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Chapter 18 of Title 50 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to state printing and documents, is amended by inserting at the end thereof a new article, to be designated Article 8, to read as follows:

50-18-140.
This article shall be known and may be cited as the 'Verifiable Science Act.'

50-18-141.
The General Assembly finds that it is necessary to protect citizens from arbitrary and capricious regulations promulgated without any impetus that is justified by pertinent, ascertainable, and peer reviewed science, and this article guarantees citizens the right to access scientific data that is used to develop public policy.

50-18-142.
(a) The general public may access data from state funded studies in whole or in part that are used for development of state law or regulation or enforcement action. Any regulations promulgated by the results of such studies shall be justified by pertinent, ascertainable, and peer reviewed science.

(b) Any scientific documentation, statistics, reports, or research shall be made available to the public through the provisions of Article 4 of this chapter whenever such scientific data is used, in part or in whole, as the basis for proposed statutes, regulations, guidance documents, policy statements, official reports, legislative studies, or any other pronouncements which might carry the weight of law or which might be intended to lead directly to new regulations or statutes."