[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4675 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
115th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4675
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 14, 2018
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
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
2018''.
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 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 radiation to--
``(1) enhance the scientific understanding of, and reduce
uncertainties associated with, the effects of exposure to low-
dose 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 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 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 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 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 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 radiation. In developing such plan, the Secretary
shall incorporate the components described in subsection (b).
``(e) Definition of Low-Dose Radiation.--In this section, the term
`low-dose radiation' means a radiation dose of less than 100
millisieverts.
``(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) of
the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16317(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 2018;
``(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019;
``(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and
``(4) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.''.
(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.
Passed the House of Representatives February 13, 2018.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk.