Bill · H.R. 123· House(119-HR-123)
Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act
- Introduced
- 1/3/2025
- Last activity
- 1/3/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Andy Biggs
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to change how certain chemical toxicity assessments are handled. Instead of using the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, these assessments will be carried out by specific EPA program offices when they determine there is a need. The bill requires these assessments to follow specific scientific standards based on the weight of available evidence. It also establishes a chemical hazard identification and dose-response steering committee to prevent different offices from duplicating work. Additionally, a chemical assessment database will be maintained to store and update toxicity values. The Office of Research and Development must also certify that these assessments meet required standards every two years.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill requires that the degree of clarity and completeness of data, assumptions, and analyses used in chemical assessments be documented and made publicly available.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+3
The bill mandates that chemical toxicity assessments be based on the best available science and weight of evidence to better inform human health risk decisions.
Would people in cities be better off under this?+1
Improved scientific standards for chemical toxicity assessments can contribute to better environmental health protections for all residents.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Coordinated Research Priorities: The EPA Administrator must ensure research and development funds reflect the needs and priorities of relevant program offices and the overall Agency (Section 2(a)).
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Improved Risk Representation: When multiple point estimates can be developed, program offices are required to consider all datasets and determine the best way to represent the human health risk posed by a chemical substance (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Increased Transparency and Data Availability: The bill requires that the degree of clarity and completeness of data, assumptions, and analyses be documented and made publicly available (Section 7B(3)).
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Prevention of Duplicated Efforts: The creation of a steering committee ensures that different EPA offices do not perform the same assessments, making the process more efficient (Section 7A(a)).
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Use of High-Quality Science: Assessments must be conducted using the best available science, including integrating all lines of scientific evidence and considering independent verification or peer review (Section 7B).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Changes to Assessment Responsibility: Assessments that were previously handled through the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program will now be carried out by relevant program offices instead, provided the office determines there is a need (Section 2(b)).
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New Reporting Burdens: The Office of Research and Development is required to submit a certification report to several Congressional committees every two years regarding the conduct of covered assessments (Section 2(e)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Urban Residents+1
- 1/3/2025
- 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.
- Introduced in House