I can verify that statement.
Easy Mode - Huge Crisis 1 - in 2:23: 80k Time Bonus
Normal Mode - Huge Crisis 1 - 2:23: 80k Time Bonus
Thus I'd say the rules should be amended once more, granting exception to ring and score divisions only, however still applying to bosses (and bosses in score division).
EDIT: Just to make clear again, there aren't any differences whatsoever in the levels' difficulty themselves. Only Bosses' AI's and number of hits change.