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Sound Science Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4397| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2026
Pete Ricketts

Pete Ricketts

Republican Senator

Nebraska

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to significantly reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by enhancing transparency and improving the scientific basis for chemical regulation. It modifies testing requirements, emphasizing the use of technically feasible methodologies and relevant international guidelines, while also requiring more frequent updates and public input on testing plans. The legislation also removes language that previously excluded consideration of costs or other non-risk factors from certain required actions. A key change involves the standard for applying regulatory requirements, shifting from eliminating risk to minimizing it "to the extent reasonably feasible ." Risk evaluations will now consider only hazards "more likely than not" to pose an unreasonable risk and will incorporate exposure limits from other federal agencies, prohibiting assumptions of noncompliance with existing regulations like OSHA standards. The public comment period for draft risk evaluations is extended, and a formal interagency review process is established for federal departments to provide input on critical uses and supply chain impacts. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the selection of regulatory requirements be cost-effective in relation to risk minimization and avoid creating greater risks for health or the environment. It also requires that the administrative record for final agency actions include all scientific assessments relied upon for risk evaluations, enhancing accountability. Finally, the bill strengthens scientific standards by requiring greater transparency on the consistency of scientific assessments with established standards and mandating consultations with federal agencies and experts for worker protection standards. It also requires a complete in-person peer review of risk evaluations by an independent committee, with a minimum 30-day review period to ensure thorough scientific scrutiny of the underlying science and risk determinations.
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Timeline
Apr 27, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 27, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • April 27, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 27, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Sound Science Act of 2026

USA119th CongressS-4397| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2026
This bill aims to significantly reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) by enhancing transparency and improving the scientific basis for chemical regulation. It modifies testing requirements, emphasizing the use of technically feasible methodologies and relevant international guidelines, while also requiring more frequent updates and public input on testing plans. The legislation also removes language that previously excluded consideration of costs or other non-risk factors from certain required actions. A key change involves the standard for applying regulatory requirements, shifting from eliminating risk to minimizing it "to the extent reasonably feasible ." Risk evaluations will now consider only hazards "more likely than not" to pose an unreasonable risk and will incorporate exposure limits from other federal agencies, prohibiting assumptions of noncompliance with existing regulations like OSHA standards. The public comment period for draft risk evaluations is extended, and a formal interagency review process is established for federal departments to provide input on critical uses and supply chain impacts. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the selection of regulatory requirements be cost-effective in relation to risk minimization and avoid creating greater risks for health or the environment. It also requires that the administrative record for final agency actions include all scientific assessments relied upon for risk evaluations, enhancing accountability. Finally, the bill strengthens scientific standards by requiring greater transparency on the consistency of scientific assessments with established standards and mandating consultations with federal agencies and experts for worker protection standards. It also requires a complete in-person peer review of risk evaluations by an independent committee, with a minimum 30-day review period to ensure thorough scientific scrutiny of the underlying science and risk determinations.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Apr 27, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Apr 27, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • April 27, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 27, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Pete Ricketts

Pete Ricketts

Republican Senator

Nebraska

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted