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H.R. 638

National Science Council Act of 1980

National Science Council Act of 1980 - Establishes in the National Science Board the National Science Council to decide, after a hearing on the record, any question of scientific fact arising in an agency adjudication referred to such Council which involves the harm any substance may cause to human health.

Authorizes the voting members of the Council to elect the Chairman.

Directs the Chairman of the Council to give notice of the initial information hearing to all persons participating in such adjudication. Authorizes the Chairman to establish advisory hearing panels to hold such hearing. Permits those persons participating in the adjudication to present relevant oral and written information. Directs the advisory hearing panel to submit to the Council a written report containing the decision of such panel. Sets forth the requirements for reports on questions involving an evaluation of the risk of harm to human health presented by a substance, including a summary of effects observed, the quality of the information presented, and an advisory opinion of such panel.

Sets forth Council procedures for final decisions with respect to any question of scientific fact referred to an advisory panel. Requires the agency presiding over the adjudication from which the question is referred to attempt to narrow and resolve such question by stipulations.

Requires the Council to respond to the agency within 90 days after a question is referred. Sets forth the requirements of such a response, including written specific findings and hearing transcripts. Makes a determination of the Council with respect to a scientific question binding on subsequent adjudications referred to the council unless the information presented differs substantially from that previously presented.

Makes all hearings open unless it is necessary to close a hearing to preserve the confidentiality of any trade secret or otherwise privileged information. Requires all agencies to provide the Council with whatever information it may require.

Sets forth the composition of and manner of appointment to the Council.

Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to refer to the National Science Council, upon the request of any interested person, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm any chemical in or on any consumer product may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether such consumer product presents a substantial product hazard. Makes the final decision of the Council the final decision of the Commission with respect to such question.

Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact arising in an adjudication under such Act which involves the harm any food, drug, device, pesticide chemical, food additive, or color additive may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether an application is approvable, the approval of an application should be withdrawn, or whether a prohibited act has been committed. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of the agency with respect to such question.

Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm a pesticide or an active ingredient may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether the classification of such pesticide should be changed or the registration of such pesticide should be refused, suspended, or canceled. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question.

Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm any meat, meat food product, or carcass may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether such meat, meat product, or carcass is adulterated or misbranded. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question.

Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm any poultry product may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether such poultry or poultry product is adulterated or misbranded. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question.

Amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to direct the Occupational Health and Safety Commission to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm a chemical may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining the validity of any citation. Makes the decision of the Council the final decision of such Commission with respect to such question.

Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm a chemical substance or mixture may cause to human health and which is relevant to making specified determinations under such Act. Makes the decision of the Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question.

Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From Justice.

Rep. Wampler, William C. [R-VA-9](R-VA)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 R
1cosponsors3committees18actions27subjects
  1. CommitteeH13000

    Unfavorable Executive Comment Received From Justice.

    Agriculture Committee
  2. CommitteeH21000

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Department Operations, Research, and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee
  3. CommitteeH13000

    Executive Comment Received From Natl Academy of Sciences.

    Agriculture Committee
  4. CommitteeH13000

    Executive Comment Received From Natl Acadeny of Sciences.

    Agriculture Committee
  5. CommitteeH13000

    Executive Comment Received From Natl Science Board.

    Agriculture Committee
  6. CommitteeH13000

    Executive Comment Received From Natl Science Broad.

    Agriculture Committee
  7. CommitteeH12000

    Executive Comment Requested from EPA, HHS, Natl Academy of Sciences, Natl Science Board, USDA.

    Agriculture Committee
  8. CommitteeH11000

    Referred to Subcommittee on Department Operations, Research, and Foreign Agriculture.

    Department Operations, Research, and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee
  9. CommitteeH11000

    Referred to Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

    Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee
  10. CommitteeH11000

    Referred to Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agricultural Research, and Environment.

    Environment Subcommittee
  11. CommitteeH11000

    Referred to Subcommittee on Science Research and Technology.

    Science, Research and Technology Subcommittee
  12. CommitteeH11000

    Referred to Subcommittee on Commerce, Transportation and Tourism.

    Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Competitiveness Subcommittee
  13. CommitteeH11000

    Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.

    Health and Environment Subcommittee
  14. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Committee on Science and Technology.

    Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  15. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  16. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Committee on Agriculture.

    Agriculture Committee
  17. IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  18. IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

National Science Council Act of 1980 — Informed