Bill Text: NJ SR17 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes Congress to modernize Toxic Substances Control Act.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee [SR17 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SR17-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator DONALD NORCROSS
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Congress to modernize Toxic Substances Control Act.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Senate Resolution memorializing the Congress of the United States to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act in order to ensure that chemicals are safe for their intended use.
Whereas, American consumers deserve to have confidence that the products they buy, when used for their intended purposes, are safe; and
Whereas, A federal chemical management program should place protecting the public health, including children's health, as its highest priority, and should include strict government oversight; and
Whereas, The federal chemical management program should preserve America's role as the world's leading innovator and employer in the manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, and use of chemicals; and
Whereas, The current federal chemical management law, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), was signed into law in 1976 and is now nearly 35 years old; and
Whereas, Since the enactment of the TSCA, our ability to understand the impact chemicals have on the human body and the environment has advanced significantly; and
Whereas, Those advancements in science and technology need to be integrated into the federal chemical management program; and
Whereas, Momentum for modernization of the federal chemical management program is growing in Congress; and
Whereas, A robust federal chemical management program will obviate the need for state governments to adopt potentially conflicting state regulatory programs that would have a negative impact on the national economy; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Congress of the United States is respectfully memorialized to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) by enacting legislation to: (1) ensure that chemicals are safe for their intended use; (2) require the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to systematically prioritize chemicals for the purpose of making safe use determinations; (3) require EPA to act expeditiously and efficiently in making safe use determinations for chemicals; (4) require companies that manufacture, import, process, distribute, or use chemicals to provide EPA with relevant information to the extent necessary for EPA to make safe use determinations; (5) assure that the potential risks to children from exposures to chemicals are considered in the assessment of safe use; (6) empower EPA to impose a range of risk management controls to ensure that chemicals are safe for their intended use; (7) encourage companies and EPA to work together to enhance public access to chemical health and safety information; (8) require EPA to rely on scientifically valid data and information, regardless of its source, including data and information reflecting modern advances in science and technology; (9) provide EPA with the staff, resources, and regulatory tools it needs to ensure the safety of chemicals; and (10) ensure that the TSCA remains a vehicle to promote and encourage technological innovation and the maintenance of a globally competitive industry in the United States.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, shall be transmitted to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution would memorialize Congress to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in order to ensure chemicals are safe for their intended use. Specifically, this resolution urges Congress to impose various requirements on the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its administration of a federal chemical management program, including the utilization of safe use determinations and certain other requirements related thereto. In addition, the resolution calls on Congress to provide EPA with the staff, resources, and regulatory tools necessary to ensure the safety of chemicals.
Furthermore, this resolution urges Congress to (1) require companies dealing with chemicals to provide EPA with relevant information to the extent necessary for making safe use determinations, and (2) encourage cooperation between companies and EPA in order to enhance public access to chemical health and safety information. Finally, the resolution urges Congress to ensure that the TSCA remains a vehicle to promote technological innovation and a globally competitive industry in the United States.
