INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has vetoed a bill that would have required the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to report to the Legislature when making rules.

The measure was a diluted version of more contentious legislation that would have banned IDEM from creating environmental rules that are more stringent than federal regulations.

Lawmakers scaled the bill back after much debate between manufacturing companies that benefit from fewer pollution restrictions and environmental activists who said the bill would have limited the state’s ability to deal with its specific environmental problems.

A statement from Pence’s office emphasized a need for IDEM having flexibility to take action when necessary.

The veto was the first for the governor this year.