Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB7275

Introduced
2/7/24  
Refer
2/7/24  
Refer
2/8/24  

Caption

Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act

Impact

With the implementation of HB 7275, the environmental landscape regarding mercury management is set to shift significantly. The bill mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an advisory committee comprised of independent scientists to oversee the monitoring program. This initiative is expected to fill existing gaps in data regarding mercury exposure, especially its harmful effects on public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and young children, who are at risk of developmental impairments due to mercury exposure in the womb.

Summary

House Bill 7275, known as the Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act, is designed to establish a national program to monitor mercury levels in various environmental contexts. The bill's primary objective is to track long-term trends in atmospheric mercury concentrations and deposition, as well as mercury levels in watersheds, surface water, and in fish and wildlife across terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance our understanding of mercury pollution sources and impacts, thereby aiding policymakers and scientists in formulating effective environmental strategies.

Contention

While proponents of HB 7275 emphasize its potential to safeguard public health and improve environmental quality, there may be contention surrounding the funding and resources allocated to implement the proposed monitoring programs. Skeptics could raise concerns about the adequacy of the $37 million budget for fiscal year 2025 and subsequent allocations to ensure the comprehensive monitoring that the bill envisions. Furthermore, the challenges in ensuring collaboration with different federal agencies and international bodies for an effective monitoring system might emerge as a point of discussion.

Companion Bills

US SB1772

Related Comprehensive National Mercury Monitoring Act

Previously Filed As

US HB3108

RPM Access Act Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act

US HB562

BLUE Pacific Act Boosting Long-term U.S. Engagement in the Pacific Act

US HB2345

Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act

US HB187

Modernizing Access to our Public Waters Act or the MAPWaters Act of 2025 or the MAPWaters Act of 2025This bill directs the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to standardize and publish data relating to public's access to federal waterways for recreational use.Specifically, the Forest Service and Interior must jointly develop and adopt interagency standards for data collection and dissemination of geospatial data relating to public outdoor recreational access of federal waterways and federal fishing restrictions. The standards must ensure compatibility and interoperability among applicable federal databases with respect to collection and dissemination of such data.Within five years, the Forest Service and Interior must also digitize and make publicly available online certain geographic information system data about (1) federal waterway restrictions, (2) federal waterway access and navigation information, and (3) federal fishing restrictions. They must also update the data about waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information at least twice per year. Data about fishing restrictions must be updated in real time as changes go into effect. Finally, the Forest Service and Interior must develop a process to allow members of the public to submit questions or comments regarding the data regarding waterway restrictions, waterway access, and navigation information.

US HB863

National Human Trafficking Database Act

US HB2609

PEACE Act Promoting Education on the Abraham Accords for Comprehensive Engagement Act

US HB2406

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025

US HB907

Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 Fort Belknap Indian Community Water Rights Settlement Act of 2025

US HB2104

National STEM Week Act

US SB306

Fire Ready Nation Act of 2025This bill provides statutory authority for existing wildfire response services of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and establishes new programs and collaborative efforts to improve fire forecasting and readiness.  Specifically, in addition to other efforts, the bill directs NOAA to establish a coordinated fire weather services program to support readiness for and responsiveness to wildfires, fire weather, smoke, post-fire flooding and debris, and related hazards;develop a digital presence to promote access to and use of the services, tools, data, and information produced by the fire weather services program;establish a fire weather test bed to facilitate the evaluation and implementation of new capabilities, including through research and development on the use of uncrewed aircraft systems (commonly known as drones) to improve data collection;conduct an annual assessment after the close of fire weather season to investigate data gaps and update systems as needed;evaluate and update, as appropriate, the Automated Surface Observing System (the primary surface weather network in the United States) and the system used to rate the risk of wildfire; andestablish an Incident Meteorologist Service within the National Weather Service to provide on-site support before, during, and after significant weather-related events.The bill also exempts federal wildland firefighters, fire management response officials, and accompanying incident meteorologists and management teams from certain premium pay limitations. Finally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate and report on the implementation of the fire weather services program, among other topics. 

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