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.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-03-18 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. | Senate |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Vote | On passage Passed by recorded vote: 236 - 181 (Roll no. 121). | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Vote | On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 179 - 237 (Roll no. 120). | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H1692) | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | Mr. Peters moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. (consideration: CR H1691-1693; text: CR H1691) | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H1691) | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1029. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1029. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | The Speaker designated the Honorable Kevin Yoder to act as Chairman of the Committee. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 138 and Rule XVIII. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-17 | Floor | 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) | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-03 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-02 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 22. | House floor actions |
| 2015-03-02 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 114-33. | House floor actions |
| 2015-02-25 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 12. | House committee actions |
| 2015-02-25 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2015-02-24 | IntroReferral | Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. | House floor actions |
| 2015-02-24 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |