HR 89 — Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

Summary

Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act This bill modifies procedures related to specified chemical assessments performed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifically, chemical hazard identification and dose response assessments, currently performed by the Integrated Risk Information System program, must be performed by the appropriate EPA program office. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to establish a steering committee to ensure there is no duplication of effort by relevant program offices in conducting covered assessments.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html January 03, 2019

From the bill's own amending language, matched to the official United States Code (current through Public Law 119-121).

Also cites: 42 U.S.C. § 4364

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill replaces the existing provisions in 42 U.S.C. § 4364 with new requirements for toxicity assessments and establishes a new framework for conducting environmental research within the EPA.

• 42 U.S.C. 4364

  Section 7 (42 U.S.C. 4364) → SEC. 7. RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES OF EPA PROGRAM OFFICES. (a) In General.--The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall assure that the expenditure of any funds appropriated pursuant to this Act or any other provision of law for environmental research and development related to regulatory program activities shall be coordinated with and reflect the research needs and priorities of the relevant program offices, as well as the overall research needs and priorities of the Agency, including those defined in the five-year research plan.

  This change establishes a new section to define the research needs and priorities of the EPA's program offices.

• 42 U.S.C. 4364

  (b) Hazard Identification and Dose-Response Assessments.--Beginning on the date of the enactment of the Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act, any covered assessments carried out with respect to a chemical substance through the Integrated Risk Information System program of the Environmental Protection Agency as of the day before such date of enactment shall, in lieu of being carried out through such program, be carried out by the relevant program office of the Environmental Protection Agency, so long as the relevant program office determines there is a need for such an assessment. Such an assessment shall be carried out using the scientific standards specified in section 7B and be based on the weight of the scientific evidence.

  This adds requirements for specific assessments regarding chemical toxicity to be conducted by relevant program offices rather than through a central program.

• 42 U.S.C. 4364

  (c) Toxicity Values.--In carrying out a covered assessment with respect to a chemical substance under subsection (a), the relevant program office shall assign a toxicity value or values, when scientifically supported by the available data, for such chemical substance.

  This addition specifies that program offices must assign toxicity values in covered assessments, based on available scientific data.

• 42 U.S.C. 4364

  (d) Chemical Assessment Database.--(1) In general.--A toxicity value or values assigned to a chemical substance under subsection (c) shall be included in a chemical assessment database to be maintained by the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency.

  This establishes a new requirement for maintaining a chemical assessment database to track toxicity values.

• 42 U.S.C. 4364

  (e) Certification.--Beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Office of Research and Development of the Environmental Protection Agency shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, a report containing a certification that each covered assessment completed during the period covered by the report was conducted using the scientific standards specified in section 7B.

  This requires biannual reporting and certification of assessments conducted according to new scientific standards.

• 42 U.S.C. 4364

  (f) Definitions.--In this section, section 7A, and section 7B: (1) The term 'covered assessment' means, with respect to the evaluation of the human health effects resulting from chronic exposure to a chemical substance, a chemical hazard identification and dose-response assessment (as such terms are defined by the Environmental Protection Agency on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act).

  This adds definitions for key terms to clarify the scope of covered assessments.

Action History

1. February 12, 2019

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.

2. January 25, 2019

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

3. January 03, 2019

   Introduced in House

4. January 03, 2019

   Introduced in House

5. January 03, 2019

   Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

6. January 03, 2019

   Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsors

• Andy Biggs · Primary

Subjects