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Panel hears bill to classify difluoroethane as volatile chemical, raise purchase age to 21
Summary
Sen. Judy Lee introduced Senate Bill 21‑95 to add difluoroethane — a propellant in aerosol dusters — to a list of volatile chemicals, propose a four‑can pack limit and raise the minimum purchase age to 21; sponsors said the measure targets youth inhalant abuse and asked the committee for a favorable review after hearing limited opposition.
Senator Judy Lee, R‑District 13, opened a public hearing on Senate Bill 21‑95, explaining the measure would classify difluoroethane — a propellant found in aerosol keyboard/cleaning dusters — as a volatile chemical and attach penalties for misuse.
Lee said the bill was prompted by a constituent account of a young person’s addiction and modeled on a Minnesota law that treats the propellant as the dangerous substance, not the air product. The bill as drafted would cap retail sales in a single transaction at four cans and raise the minimum buyer age from 18 to 21.
Sponsors told the committee the primary public‑health concern is inhalant abuse: users can get a quick, short high followed by an extended period of depression. Lee said the four‑can limit was proposed because the products are frequently sold in four‑packs at common retailers and that the age change came from a drafter’s recommendation.
Committee members asked practical questions. Representative Holly asked whether a four‑can limit might create burdens for offices that purchase supplies in bulk; Lee replied the legislative council likely considered retail packaging and suggested staff would check on commercial exceptions. Representative Hendricks asked why the age was set at 21 rather than 18; Lee said the change was a recommendation and that there was not a specific legal rationale presented to her.
A written testimony from a business that sells the dusters raised labeling and compliance concerns but, according to Lee, the seller did not lodge formal opposition. No other opposition was recorded during the hearing.
The committee closed the hearing on Senate Bill 21‑95 with no vote taken on the measure during this session; sponsors asked the committee to give the bill a favorable review to help limit youth access to the propellant.
