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H.R.4306 / 103rd Congress

Risk Assessment Improvement Act of 1994

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 474.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Apr 28, 1994

Risk Assessment Improvement Act of 1994 - Establishes a Risk Assessment Program in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Requires the Director of the Program to: (1) develop a process to conduct scientific peer review of all risk assessment guidelines developed by EPA; and (2) provide recommendations to the EPA Administrator on risk assessment, research needs, and development of guidelines. Directs the Director to regularly develop, issue, and, not less than every three years for each guideline, review the need to update guidelines that establish methods for conducting scientifically sound risk assessment. Sets forth contents of such guidelines. Requires the Director to oversee the use of risk assessment guidelines by EPA Program and Regional Offices and ensure consistency in the use of such guidelines as is appropriate in application to various environmental media or hazards. Permits departures from guidelines under specified conditions. Requires the Director to regularly develop, issue, and update guidance within EPA for any risk characterizations that may be conducted by EPA. Sets forth contents of such guidance. Requires the Director to: (1) promote open dialogue to improve the use of risk assessments by decisionmakers and to accurately and clearly communicate risk characterizations; and (2) regularly evaluate risk assessment research and training needs of EPA and develop a strategy and schedule for carrying out such research and training. Provides for, as part of the Program, a two-year pilot project using comparative risk analysis to rank dissimilar environmental risks and provide a common basis for evaluating strategies for reducing or preventing such risks. Requires the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to: (1) periodically survey the manner in which Federal agencies are conducting risk assessment; (2) provide recommendations to the President based on such surveys; and (3) establish interagency mechanisms to promote coordination of Federal risk assessment and mechanisms between Federal and State agencies to communicate state-of-the-art risk assessment practices.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Klein, Herbert C. [D-NJ-8] · D–NJ

Committees

  • Science, Space, and Technology Committee
25 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 474.

  2. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. H. Rept. 103-857.

  3. Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space and Technology. H. Rept. 103-857.

  4. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  5. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  6. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.

  7. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  8. Referred to the Subcommittee on Technology, Environment and Aviation.

  9. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E852-853)

  10. Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

  11. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2847)

  12. Introduced in House

  13. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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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: Feb 7, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze H.R.4306 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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