Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Act of 1995

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Risk Assessment and Communication Title II: Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs Title III: Peer Review Title IV: Judicial Review Title V: Plan Title VI: Priorities Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Act of 1995 - Declares that this Act shall not apply to: (1) an emergency situation, in which case the agency head shall comply with this Act within as reasonable a time as is practical; (2) activities necessary to maintain military readiness; (3) any individual food, drug, or other product label, or any risk characterization appearing on any such label, if the individual product label is required by law to be approved by a Federal department or agency prior to use; and (4) Federal agency approval of State programs or plans. Title I: Risk Assessment and Communication - Risk Assessment and Communication Act of 1995 - Applies this title generally to all significant risk assessment and risk characterization documents, except: (1) screening analyses; (2) health, safety, or environmental inspections; or (3) the sale or lease of Federal resources or regulatory activities that directly result in collection of Federal receipts. (Sec. 104) Requires each covered Federal agency head to apply specified principles in order to assure that significant risk assessment documents and all of their components distinguish scientific findings from other considerations and are, to the extent feasible, scientifically objective, unbiased, and inclusive of all relevant data and rely, to the extent available and practicable, on scientific findings. (Sec. 105) Specifies the requirements that each significant risk characterization document is required to meet. (Sec. 106) Prohibits any covered Federal agency from automatically incorporating or adopting any recommendation or classification made by a non-United States-based entity concerning the health effects value of a substance without an opportunity for notice and comment. Requires compliance with this title by any risk assessment document or risk characterization document adopted by a covered Federal agency on the basis of such a recommendation or classification. (Sec. 107) Directs the President to: (1) issue guidelines for Federal agencies consistent with specified risk assessment and characterization principles; and (2) provide a format for summarizing risk assessment results. Requires such guidelines to include guidance on such subjects such as the evaluation of benign tumors and the use of different types of dose-response models. Requires the President to periodically review and revise such guidelines as appropriate. (Sec. 108) Directs each covered Federal agency head to do the following for periodic reports to the Congress: (1) regularly and systematically evaluate risk assessment research and training needs of the agency; and (2) develop a strategy and schedule for carrying out research and training to meet certain such needs. (Sec. 109) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide for a study using comparative risk analysis to rank health, safety, and environmental risks and to provide a common basis for evaluating strategies for reducing or preventing those risks. Requires the Director to submit to the Congress a report of the National Research Council with recommendations regarding the use of comparative risk analysis and ways to improve the use of comparative risk analysis for decision-making in appropriate Federal agencies. (Sec. 110) Limits covered Federal agencies to: (1) the Environmental Protection Agency; (2) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (3) the Food and Drug Administration; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Department of Transportation; (6) the Department of Energy; (7) the Department of Agriculture; (8) the Department of the Interior; (9) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (10) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; (11) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; (12) the Mine Safety and Health Administration; and (13) other Federal agencies determined by the President, acting through the OMB Director. Title II: Analysis of Risk Reduction Benefits and Costs - Requires the President to require each Federal agency to prepare specified analyses for each new major rule within a program designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment. (Sec. 202) Requires that certain certifications be made in order for a final rule subject to this title to be promulgated. (Sec. 203) Directs OMB to issue guidance consistent with this title to: (1) assist the agencies, the public, and the regulated community in the implementation of this title, including any new requirements or procedures needed to supplement prior agency practice; and (2) govern the development and preparation of analyses of risk reduction benefits and costs. Title III: Peer Review - Requires each Federal agency head to develop a systematic program for independent and external peer review for regulatory programs designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment in connection with any risk assessment or cost analysis forming the basis of any rule likely to result in an annual increase in costs of $100 million or more. Exempts from such requirement any: (1) rule or other action taken by an agency to authorize or approve any individual substance or product; and (2) data or method which has been previously subjected to peer review or any component of any analysis or assessment previously subjected to peer review. Authorizes the OMB Director to order that peer review be provided for any major risk assessment or cost assessment likely to have a significant impact on public policy decisions. Directs the President to appoint National Peer Review Panels to review annually for a report to the Congress the risk and cost assessment practices of each Federal agency for programs designed to protect human health, safety, or the environment. Title IV: Judicial Review - Provides for judicial review under this Act. Title V: Plan - Requires each covered Federal agency to publish a plan to review and, where appropriate, revise significant risk assessment or characterization documents if the agency head determines that application of the appropriate specified principles for risk assessment and risk characterization and communication would be likely to alter significantly the results of the prior risk assessment or characterization. Provides for public participation and consultation in plan development. Title VI: Priorities - Directs the President, in order to assist in the public policy and regulation of risks to public health, to identify specified opportunities to reflect priorities within existing Federal regulatory programs designed to protect human health in a cost-effective and cost-reasonable manner. (Sec. 601) Requires the President to issue biennial reports to the Congress recommending priorities for modifications to, elimination of, or strategies for existing Federal regulatory programs designed to protect public health. Requires an agency to consider the priorities set forth in the report when preparing a budget or strategic plan for any such regulatory program.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 23 February 1995

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committees on Commerce, and Government Reform and Oversight, 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.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 23 February 1995

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committees on Commerce, and Government Reform and Oversight, 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.

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 23 February 1995

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 23 February 1995

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 24 February 1995

   Reported

   Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 96 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1022 with 2 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. The bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule for a period not to exceed ten hours.

   Source: Floor

6. 24 February 1995

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs.

   Source: Committee

7. 27 February 1995

   Passed

   On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

   Source: Floor

8. 27 February 1995

   Floor

   GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with two hours of general debate.

   Source: Floor

9. 27 February 1995

   Floor

   Mr. Walker moved that the Committee rise.

   Source: Floor

10. 27 February 1995

    Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

    Source: Floor

11. 27 February 1995

    Floor

    Considered by previous order of the House.

    Source: Floor

12. 27 February 1995

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 96 passed House.

    Source: Floor

13. 27 February 1995

    Floor

    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1022 as unfinished business.

    Source: Floor

14. 27 February 1995

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Doc Hastings to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

15. 27 February 1995

    Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union pursuant to the order of the House on Friday, Feb. 24, 1995.

    Source: Floor

16. 27 February 1995

    Floor

    Consideration initiated by previous order of the House.

    Source: Floor

17. 28 February 1995

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 286 - 141 (Roll no. 183).

    Source: Floor

18. 28 February 1995

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 286 - 141 (Roll no. 183).

    Source: Floor

19. 28 February 1995

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

20. 28 February 1995

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 174 - 250 (Roll no. 182).

    Source: Floor

21. 28 February 1995

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

22. 28 February 1995

    Floor

    Floor summary: DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Doggett motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion require that a new section be included in the bill regarding peer review programs and prohibitions of conflicts of interest.

    Source: Floor

23. 28 February 1995

    Floor

    Mr. Doggett moved to recommit with instructions to Science, Space and Technology.

    Source: Floor

24. 28 February 1995

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

    Source: Floor

25. 28 February 1995

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

26. 28 February 1995

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1022.

    Source: Floor

27. 28 February 1995

    Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

    Source: Floor

28. 28 February 1995

    Floor

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2321-2373)

    Source: Floor

29. 2 March 1995

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

    Source: IntroReferral

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Referred in Senate · 2 March 1995 · Official file
• Engrossed in House · 28 February 1995 · Official file
• Introduced in House · 23 February 1995 · Official file

Documents

8 official files

• Referred in Senate (text)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 2 March 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Referred in Senate (PDF)

  Referred in Senate · EN · 2 March 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in House (text)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 28 February 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Engrossed in House (PDF)

  Engrossed in House · EN · 28 February 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 28 February 1995

  Open at official source

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 23 February 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 23 February 1995

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 23 February 1995

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Rep. Walker, Robert S. [R-PA-16] · R · Sponsor
• Rep. Bliley, Tom [R-VA-3] · R · Sponsor
• · ssga00 · Standing
• · hsgo00 · Standing
• · hsif00 · Standing
• · hssy00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → Job Creation and Wage Enhancement Act of 1995
• related to → Providing for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1022) to provide regulatory reform and to focus national economic resources on the greatest risks to human health, safety, and the environment through scientifically objective and unbiased risk assessments and through the consideration of costs and benefits in major rules, and for other purposes.