Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 16, 2012

Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit a state or political subdivision from conducting or requiring an inspection of a factory, warehouse, or establishment in which a drug or device is manufactured, processed, packed, or held by a manufacturer or wholesale distributor for introduction into interstate commerce, or after such introduction, for purposes of verifying compliance with such Act, Public Health Service Act requirements regarding the regulation of biological products, or any similar requirements established pursuant to state law.

Makes exceptions for such an inspection if: (1) the state or subdivision makes a determination that a drug or device presents a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death; (2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) orders a recall of a drug, biological product, or device manufactured, processed, packed, or held at the factory, warehouse, or establishment; or (3) the Secretary requests or authorizes the state to conduct or require the inspection.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50] · R–CA

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Feb 16, 2012
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Feb 16, 2012
Introduced in House
Feb 16, 2012
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Feb 16, 2012 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4056 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4056, 112th Congress: Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4056

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-02-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr4056/BILLS-112hr4056ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:22:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4056 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4056 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.4056, 112th Congress: Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4056

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-02-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr4056/BILLS-112hr4056ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:22:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4056 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4056 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.4056, 112th Congress: Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4056

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-02-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr4056/BILLS-112hr4056ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:22:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4056 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4056 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4056, 112th Congress: Science and Technology Regulatory Relief Act of 2012

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/4056

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2012-02-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/112/bills/hr4056/BILLS-112hr4056ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-14T14:22:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4056 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.