Freedom for Farmers Act of 2025This bill abolishes the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Currently, this agency, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), investigates and responds to environmental exposures to hazardous substances in communities. The bill requires HHS to transfer authority regarding certain national disease and toxic exposure registries to another appropriate HHS entity.
Impact
The abolishment of the ATSDR is expected to have significant implications for how toxic substances and related health concerns are monitored and addressed at the federal level. By transferring the authority to HHS, the bill aims to centralize functions, which proponents argue will enhance efficiency. However, critics express concern that this transition could lead to diminished oversight and reduced focus on the unique health risks posed by toxic substances, adversely impacting environmental health initiatives that the ATSDR currently oversees. The national registry of individuals exposed to toxic substances and serious illnesses is suggested to be at risk, potentially leading to gaps in data critical for public health policymaking.
Summary
House Bill 91 seeks to abolish the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), which is responsible for evaluating and reporting on the impact of toxic substances on public health and maintaining national registries for serious diseases and exposures. The bill proposes that all functions of the ATSDR would terminate one year after enactment, transferring its critical responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This move is positioned as a means to streamline governmental functions, potentially consolidating resources and authority within existing federal health structures.
Contention
The proposal has generated debate, as various stakeholders weigh the benefits of administrative efficiency against potential risks to public health monitoring and response. Supporters contend that the elimination of the ATSDR is a logical step to consolidate functions and improve the effectiveness of federal health agencies. They argue that HHS is better positioned to manage these responsibilities. Conversely, opponents of the bill fear that the loss of a dedicated agency focused on toxic substance exposure could result in less rigorous public health surveillance and a weaker response capability regarding environmental health crises.
Freedom for Farmers Act of 2023 This bill abolishes the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This agency, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), investigates and responds to environmental exposures to hazardous substances in communities. HHS must transfer authority regarding certain national disease and toxic exposure registries to another appropriate HHS entity.
To provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Related Agencies, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxic Substances and Environmental Public Health for fiscal year 2024.
To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to authorize grants for toxic substances remediation in schools, to reauthorize healthy high-performance schools, and for other purposes.
To amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the use of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) at petroleum refineries, and for other purposes.
To amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide assistance for States, territories, areas affected by natural disasters, and water systems and schools affected by PFAS or lead, and to require the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate national primary drinking water regulations for PFAS, microcystin toxin, and 1,4-dioxane, and for other purposes.
A bill to require Federal agencies to impose in-person work requirements for employees of those agencies and to occupy a certain portion of the office space of those agencies, and for other purposes.
Freedom for Farmers Act of 2023 This bill abolishes the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. This agency, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), investigates and responds to environmental exposures to hazardous substances in communities. HHS must transfer authority regarding certain national disease and toxic exposure registries to another appropriate HHS entity.
Mental health: other; inclusion of mental health and substance use disorder services with the Michigan crisis and access line; provide for. Amends secs. 151 & 165 of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1151 & 330.1165).