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Bill114th CongressFiled Feb 24, 2015Environmental Protection
H.R. 1029

EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Mar 17, 2015)

EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. The Board provides scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This bill requires the Board to independently provide that advice.

Among the revisions to requirements concerning the Board's membership are the following:

  • a requirement to balance scientific and technical points of view;
  • a set minimum level of representation from state, local, or tribal governments;
  • allowance of affiliation with or representation of entities that may have a potential interest in the Board's advisory activities;
  • conflict of interest restrictions;
  • restrictions on participation in advisory activities involving review of a member's work;
  • restrictions on appointment of registered lobbyists; and
  • prohibitions on member receipt of current EPA grants or contracts.

The EPA must make public a list of nominees to the Board and accept public comments on the nominees. Reports filed upon the provisional nomination of a member disclosing financial relationships and interests must also be made public.

The EPA must provide draft risk or hazard assessments in its regulatory proposals and documents to the Board. The Board's advice and comments must be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register.

The Board's member committees and investigative panels must operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements contained in this Act, including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board. The member committees and investigative panels do not have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board and may not report directly to the EPA.

The bill imposes additional public participation requirements:

  • The EPA and the Board must make public all reports and relevant scientific information at the same time they are received by the Board.
  • The Board must hold public information-gathering sessions to discuss the state of the science related to a major advisory activity.
  • Prior to convening a member committee or investigative panel, the EPA must accept and address public comments on questions asked of the Board.
  • The Board, member committees, and investigative panels may not accept a question that unduly narrows the scope of an advisory activity.

The Board must strive to avoid making policy determinations or recommendations, communicate uncertainties, encourage dissenting members to make their views known, conduct periodic reviews to ensure that its activities address the most important scientific issues affecting the EPA, and respond to Congress fully and in a timely manner.

What just happenedMar 18, 2015

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3](R-OK)Sponsor
24 cosponsors1 D23 R
Read on Congress.gov
24cosponsors2committees28actions4amendments2related bills13subjects
  1. Mar 18, 2015IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

    Environment and Public Works Committee
  2. Mar 17, 2015FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Mar 17, 2015FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 - 181 (Roll no. 121).

  4. Mar 17, 2015Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 - 181 (Roll no. 121).

  5. Mar 17, 2015FloorH36110

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 179 - 237 (Roll no. 120).

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  6. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8A000

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H1692)

  7. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a new section at the end of the bill pertaining to Protecting Taxpayers from Science Promoted by Polluting Companies. Pending a reservation of a point of order. Subsequently, the reservation was removed.

  8. Mar 17, 2015FloorH36100

    Mr. Peters moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. (consideration: CR H1691-1693; text: CR H1691)

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  9. Mar 17, 2015FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H1691)

  10. Mar 17, 2015FloorH32600

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1029.

  11. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 138, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Bonamici Part A amendment No. 4.

  12. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 138, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Polis (CO) Part A amendment No. 3.

  13. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the McKinley (WV) Part A amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Bonamici demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption ofthe amendment until a time to be announced.

  14. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 138, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McKinley (WV) Part A amendment No. 2.

  15. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 138, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grayson (FL) Part A amendment No. 1.

  16. Mar 17, 2015FloorH8D000

    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1029.

  17. Mar 17, 2015FloorH32400

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Chairman of the Committee.

  18. Mar 17, 2015FloorH32020

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 138 and Rule XVIII.

  19. Mar 17, 2015FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 138. (consideration: CR H1678-1693, H1693-1694; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1685-1686)

  20. Mar 3, 2015FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 138 Reported to House. For each measure, resolution provides one hour of general debate; makes specified amendments in order; and allows a motion to recommit, with or without instructions.

  21. Mar 2, 2015CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 22.

  22. Mar 2, 2015CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 114-33.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  23. Mar 2, 2015Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 114-33.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  24. Feb 25, 2015Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 12.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  25. Feb 25, 2015Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  26. Feb 24, 2015IntroReferralH11100

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

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  27. Feb 24, 2015IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  28. Feb 24, 2015IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedMar 17, 201536

EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. The Board provides scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This bill requires the Board to independently provide that advice.

Among the revisions to requirements concerning the Board's membership are the following:

  • a requirement to balance scientific and technical points of view;
  • a set minimum level of representation from state, local, or tribal governments;
  • allowance of affiliation with or representation of entities that may have a potential interest in the Board's advisory activities;
  • conflict of interest restrictions;
  • restrictions on participation in advisory activities involving review of a member's work;
  • restrictions on appointment of registered lobbyists; and
  • prohibitions on member receipt of current EPA grants or contracts.

The EPA must make public a list of nominees to the Board and accept public comments on the nominees. Reports filed upon the provisional nomination of a member disclosing financial relationships and interests must also be made public.

The EPA must provide draft risk or hazard assessments in its regulatory proposals and documents to the Board. The Board's advice and comments must be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register.

The Board's member committees and investigative panels must operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements contained in this Act, including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board. The member committees and investigative panels do not have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board and may not report directly to the EPA.

The bill imposes additional public participation requirements:

  • The EPA and the Board must make public all reports and relevant scientific information at the same time they are received by the Board.
  • The Board must hold public information-gathering sessions to discuss the state of the science related to a major advisory activity.
  • Prior to convening a member committee or investigative panel, the EPA must accept and address public comments on questions asked of the Board.
  • The Board, member committees, and investigative panels may not accept a question that unduly narrows the scope of an advisory activity.

The Board must strive to avoid making policy determinations or recommendations, communicate uncertainties, encourage dissenting members to make their views known, conduct periodic reviews to ensure that its activities address the most important scientific issues affecting the EPA, and respond to Congress fully and in a timely manner.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Mar 2, 201517

EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. The Board provides scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This bill requires the Board to independently provide that advice.

Among the revisions to requirements concerning the Board's membership are the following:

  • a requirement to balance scientific and technical points of view;
  • a set minimum level of representation from state, local, or tribal governments;
  • allowance of affiliation with or representation of entities that may have a potential interest in the Board's advisory activities;
  • conflict of interest restrictions;
  • restrictions on participation in advisory activities involving review of a member's work; and
  • restrictions on appointment of registered lobbyists.

The EPA must make public a list of nominees to the Board and accept public comments on the nominees. Reports filed upon the provisional nomination of a member disclosing financial relationships and interests must also be made public.

The EPA must provide draft risk or hazard assessments in its regulatory proposals and documents to the Board. The Board's advice and comments must be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register.

The Board's member committees and investigative panels must operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements contained in this Act, including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board. The member committees and investigative panels do not have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board and may not report directly to the EPA.

The bill imposes additional public participation requirements:

  • The EPA and the Board must make public all reports and relevant scientific information at the same time they are received by the Board.
  • The Board must hold public information-gathering sessions to discuss the state of the science related to a major advisory activity.
  • Prior to convening a member committee or investigative panel, the EPA must accept and address public comments on questions asked of the Board.
  • The Board, member committees, and investigative panels may not accept a question that unduly narrows the scope of an advisory activity.

The Board must strive to avoid making policy determinations or recommendations, communicate uncertainties, encourage dissenting members to make their views known, conduct periodic reviews to ensure that its activities address the most important scientific issues affecting the EPA, and respond to Congress fully and in a timely manner.

Introduced in HouseFeb 24, 2015

EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015

This bill amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. The Board provides scientific advice to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This bill requires the Board to independently provide that advice. Federally registered lobbyists may not be appointed to the Board.

The EPA must provide draft risk or hazard assessments in its regulatory proposals and documents to the Board. The Board's advice and comments must be included in the record regarding any such proposal and published in the Federal Register.

The Board's member committees and investigative panels must operate in accordance with the membership, participation, and policy requirements contained in this Act, including new requirements for public participation in advisory activities of the Board. The member committees and investigative panels do not have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the Board and may not report directly to the EPA.

The Board must: (1) strive to avoid making policy determinations or recommendations, (2) communicate uncertainties, (3) encourage dissenting members to make their views known, (4) conduct periodic reviews to ensure that its activities address the most important scientific issues affecting the EPA, and (5) respond to Congress fully and in a timely manner.

This Act may not be construed as supplanting the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act or the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015 — Informed