PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Dec 4, 2001
Robert Stevens, Thomas Morris Jr., Joseph Curseen, Kathy Nguyen, Ottilie Lundgren, and Lisa J. Raines Biological and Chemical Weapons Research Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Homeland Security to publish and annually revise a list of biological and chemical agents and toxins that may be used as weapons of mass destruction. Sets forth the criteria for inclusion on such list, including the degree of risk presented and the likelihood of countermeasure development.Makes entities engaged in countermeasure research eligible for tax incentives, participation in the Bioterrorism Countermeasures Purchase Fund, and patent extension and liability protections, as specified.Sets forth the tax incentives which include limited partnerships, total exclusion for gain from stock, and special countermeasure research credits.Provides for the establishment of the Bioterrorism Countermeasures Purchase Fund to purchase countermeasures. Provides for such countermeasures' distribution by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Provides for the election of extended patent protection for eligible countermeasures, as specified.Amends the Public Health Service Act to indemnify and defend persons and entities engaged in the research, production, or use of countermeasures.Authorizes the Director of the National Institutes of Health to award grants and contracts for the construction of certain biosafety research facilities.Authorizes the Director to award partnership challenge grants to promote joint ventures between the public and private sectors for the development of countermeasures and research tools.
People & committees
Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT] · D–CT
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12376-12385)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 19, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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