Bill Text: NJ AR146 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Memorializes Congress and President to modernize Toxic Substances Control Act. *

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2011-06-30 - Filed with Secretary of State [AR146 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2010-AR146-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 146

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED MARCH 14, 2011

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman  PAMELA R. LAMPITT

District 6 (Camden)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Memorializes Congress and President to modernize Toxic Substances Control Act.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on May 19, 2011, with amendments.

  

An Assembly Resolution memorializing the Congress ¹and the President¹ 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 General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The Congress ¹and the President¹ of the United States ¹[is] are¹ 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 Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to ¹the President and Vice President of the United States,¹ the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and ¹Majority and¹ Minority ¹[Leader] Leaders¹ of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress elected from this State.