summary
Introduced
01/06/2015
01/06/2015
In Committee
01/06/2015
01/06/2015
Crossed Over
01/08/2015
01/08/2015
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of 2015 Requires the Director of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science to carry out a research program on low dose radiation to enhance the scientific understanding of and reduce uncertainties associated with the effects of exposure to low dose radiation. Requires the Director to enter into an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study assessing the current status and development of a long-term strategy for low dose radiation research. Requires such study to: identify current scientific challenges for understanding the long-term effects of ionizing radiation, assess the status of current low dose radiation research, formulate overall scientific goals for the future of low-dose radiation research, recommend a long-term strategic and prioritized research agenda to address scientific research goals for overcoming the identified scientific challenges in coordination with other research efforts, define the essential components of a research program that would address this research agenda within the universities and the National Laboratories, and assess the effectiveness of such a program. Directs the Secretary of Energy to deliver to Congress a five-year research plan that responds to the study's findings and recommendations and identifies and prioritizes research needs. Makes DOE's limitation on human research inapplicable to research under this Act.
AI Summary
This bill, the Low-Dose Radiation Research Act of 2015, mandates the Department of Energy's Office of Science to establish a research program focused on low-dose radiation, defined as a dose of less than 100 millisieverts, to improve scientific understanding and reduce uncertainties about its health effects, thereby informing better risk management. To guide this effort, the Director of the Office of Science must arrange for the National Academies to conduct a study within 18 months of the bill's enactment, which will identify scientific challenges in understanding ionizing radiation's long-term effects, assess current research globally, set future research goals, propose a prioritized research agenda, outline the necessary components for a research program involving universities and National Laboratories, and evaluate its cost-effectiveness. Following this study, the Secretary of Energy will present a five-year research plan to Congress that addresses the study's findings and prioritizes research needs. Importantly, this Act exempts research conducted under its provisions from certain limitations on human research previously established in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and it will be funded through existing appropriations rather than requiring new funds.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry
Sponsors (7)
Randy Hultgren (R)*,
Larry Bucshon (R),
Kevin Cramer (R),
Daniel Lipinski (D),
Bill Posey (R),
F. James Sensenbrenner (R),
Lamar Smith (R),
Last Action
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. (on 06/09/2015)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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