Senate Bills - 110th Congress

S. 742—The Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007

On March 1, 2007, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced S. 742, the Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007. NIH-relevant portions of the bill would require the Director of the agency to establish an asbestos-related disease research and treatment network that must include “intramural research initiatives” and at least ten Extramural Asbestos-Related Disease Research and Treatment Centers. The bill would authorize $10 million for each of the Fiscal Years 2008 through 2012. S. 742 also includes a finding that NIH “should continue to improve detection, treatment, and management of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, including by providing continued support for the pleural mesothelioma treatment and research program and peritoneal surgical initiatives.” The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Provisions that would affect NIH are identical to those in H.R. 3285 introduced by Representative Stephen Cohen (D-TN), on August 1, 2007, and H.R. 3339, introduced by Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN), on August 2, 2007.

COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTE ACTION

July 31, 2007 -  The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Senator Barbara Boxer [D-CA], Chairman) approved S. 742 as amended, by unanimous consent.

August 2, 2007 -  The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Senator Barbara Boxer [D-CA], Chairman) reported S. 742 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

FLOOR ACTION

October 4, 2007 -  The Senate passed S. 742 by unanimous consent.

Legislative Update (March 2008): Asbestos Research