[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4733 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4733
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide for a low-dose
radiation basic research program.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 18, 2019
Mr. Posey (for himself, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Weber of Texas, and Mr.
Babin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide for a low-dose
radiation basic research program.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of
2019''.
SEC. 2. LOW-DOSE RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle G of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16311 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section
977 (42 U.S.C. 16317) the following new section:
``SEC. 977A. LOW-DOSE RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a basic research
program on low-dose and low dose-rate radiation to--
``(1) enhance the scientific understanding of, and reduce
uncertainties associated with, the effects of exposure to low-
dose and low dose-rate radiation; and
``(2) inform improved risk-assessment and risk-management
methods with respect to such radiation.
``(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program required
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
``(1) formulate scientific goals for low-dose and low dose-
rate radiation basic research in the United States;
``(2) identify ongoing scientific challenges for
understanding the long-term effects of ionizing radiation on
biological systems;
``(3) develop a long-term strategic and prioritized basic
research agenda to address such scientific challenges in
coordination with other research efforts;
``(4) identify and, to the extent possible, quantify,
potential monetary and health-related benefits to Federal
agencies, the general public, industry, research communities,
and other users of information produced by such research
program;
``(5) leverage the collective body of knowledge from
existing low-dose and low dose-rate radiation research; and
``(6) engage with other Federal agencies, research
communities, and potential users of information produced under
this section, including institutions concerning radiation
research, medical physics, radiology, health physics, and
emergency response.
``(c) Coordination.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Physical Science Subcommittee of the National
Science and Technology Council, shall--
``(1) support the directives under section 106 of the
American Innovation and Competitiveness Act (42 U.S.C. 6601
note);
``(2) ensure that the Office of Science of the Department
of Energy consults and coordinates with the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Institutes
of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department
of Defense, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the
Department of Homeland Security;
``(3) advise and assist the National Science and Technology
Council on policies and initiatives in radiation biology,
including enhancing scientific knowledge of the effects of low-
dose and low dose-rate radiation on biological systems to
improve radiation risk-assessment and risk-management methods;
and
``(4) identify opportunities to stimulate international
cooperation relating to low-dose and low dose-rate radiation
and leverage research and knowledge from sources outside of the
United States.
``(d) Research Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 4-year
research plan that identifies and prioritizes basic research needs
relating to low-dose and low dose-rate radiation. In developing such
plan, the Secretary shall incorporate the components described in
subsection (b).
``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Low-dose radiation.--The term `low-dose radiation'
means a radiation dose of less than 100 millisieverts.
``(2) Low dose-rate radiation.--The term `low dose-rate
radiation' means a radiation dose rate of less than 5
millisieverts per hour.
``(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to subject any research carried out by the Secretary for the
program under this section to any limitations described in 977(e).
``(g) Funding.--For purposes of carrying out this section, the
Secretary is authorized to make available from funds provided to the
Biological and Environmental Research Program--
``(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
``(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
``(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; and
``(4) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2023.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents for subtitle G of
title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 977 the following:
``977A. Low-dose radiation research program.''.
SEC. 3. SPENDING LIMITATION.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this Act and such
amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for
such purpose.
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