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Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

USA119th CongressHR-123| House 
| Updated: 1/3/2025
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to significantly alter how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts chemical toxicity assessments. Its primary purpose is to transfer the responsibility for hazard identification and dose-response assessments, previously handled by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, to the relevant program offices within the EPA. These offices, such as the Office of Water or the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, will now conduct these "covered assessments" if they determine a need exists. The bill mandates that these assessments must adhere to new, rigorous scientific standards, emphasizing the use of the best available science and the weight of the scientific evidence . When assigning toxicity values, program offices must include a range of point estimates of risk, along with sources and magnitudes of uncertainty, considering all available datasets. A new chemical assessment database , maintained by the Office of Research and Development, will store these toxicity values, incorporating all existing IRIS assessments. To ensure coordination and prevent duplication of effort, the bill establishes a Hazard Identification and Dose-Response Steering Committee . This committee, chaired by the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development and comprising EPA employees, will oversee the conduct of assessments and consider qualifying third-party scientific evaluations. Furthermore, the Office of Research and Development will be required to submit biennial certifications to Congress, confirming that all completed assessments meet the specified scientific standards.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-89
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-62
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-120
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-6468
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-89
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-62
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-120
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-6468
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    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.

Environmental Protection

Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsChemistryCongressional oversightEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment information and archivesHazardous wastes and toxic substancesResearch administration and fundingResearch and developmentScientific communication

Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

USA119th CongressHR-123| House 
| Updated: 1/3/2025
This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to significantly alter how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts chemical toxicity assessments. Its primary purpose is to transfer the responsibility for hazard identification and dose-response assessments, previously handled by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, to the relevant program offices within the EPA. These offices, such as the Office of Water or the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, will now conduct these "covered assessments" if they determine a need exists. The bill mandates that these assessments must adhere to new, rigorous scientific standards, emphasizing the use of the best available science and the weight of the scientific evidence . When assigning toxicity values, program offices must include a range of point estimates of risk, along with sources and magnitudes of uncertainty, considering all available datasets. A new chemical assessment database , maintained by the Office of Research and Development, will store these toxicity values, incorporating all existing IRIS assessments. To ensure coordination and prevent duplication of effort, the bill establishes a Hazard Identification and Dose-Response Steering Committee . This committee, chaired by the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development and comprising EPA employees, will oversee the conduct of assessments and consider qualifying third-party scientific evaluations. Furthermore, the Office of Research and Development will be required to submit biennial certifications to Congress, confirming that all completed assessments meet the specified scientific standards.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-89
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-62
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-120
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 115-6468
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act
Jan 3, 2025
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2025
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.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-89
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-62
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-120
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 115-6468
    Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act


  • January 3, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • January 3, 2025
    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.
Andy Biggs

Andy Biggs

Republican Representative

Arizona

Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Environmental Protection

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsChemistryCongressional oversightEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment information and archivesHazardous wastes and toxic substancesResearch administration and fundingResearch and developmentScientific communication