Bill · H.R. 4903· House(119-HR-4903)
Plastic Health Research Act
- Introduced
- 8/5/2025
- Last activity
- 8/5/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Sponsored by
- Haley Stevens
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Plastic Health Research Act seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to expand research regarding plastic exposures and their potential health effects. It directs the Secretary to coordinate research activities in consultation with several federal agencies. The bill authorizes grants and contracts for research entities to improve scientific quality and develop testing methodologies for microplastics and nanoplastics. It also establishes Centers of Excellence to conduct research, perform risk assessments, and increase public awareness. Funding is authorized at $10,000,000 annually for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 for research grants and an additional $10,000,000 annually for the Centers of Excellence.
Yes· 3 of 6
Does this put more money into scientific research?+7
The bill provides substantial new funding for scientific research into plastic exposure and testing methodologies.
Does this put more money into medical research?+7
The bill authorizes $20,000,000 annually for research into the health effects of plastic exposure through 2030.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+4
The bill funds research into the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on the environment and human health.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill authorizes $20,000,000 in annual new spending for research and Centers of Excellence through 2030.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Scientific Quality and Standards: The bill prioritizes research that develops vetted, reproducible methods and standard definitions for microplastics and nanoplastics (Section 2(a)(1)). This could lead to more reliable data regarding health risks.
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Filling Research Gaps: The legislation focuses on using methods that fill existing gaps in the field of potential health effects research (Section 2(a)(3)).
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Increased Public Awareness: The proposed Centers of Excellence are tasked with increasing public awareness of the potential health effects of plastic exposure and the results of risk assessments, where scientifically warranted (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Identification of Hazards: The centers are designed to identify potential exposures to plastic and conduct both hazard and risk assessments (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+7
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+7
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+1
- 3/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/19/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Frank LucasRepublican · Oklahoma
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Juan VargasDemocrat · California