National Science Council Act of 1980

National Science Council Act of 1980 - Establishes in the Office of Science and Technology Policy the National Science Council to decide, after a hearing on the record, any question of scientific fact arising in an agency adjudication referred to such Council which involves the harm any substance may cause to human health. Makes the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Chairman of the Council. Directs the Chairman of the Council to give notice of the initial hearing to obtain information relevant to such question to all persons participating in such adjudication. Authorizes the Chairman to establish advisory hearing panels to hold such hearing. Permits those persons participating in the adjudication to present relevant oral and written information. Directs the advisory hearing panel to submit to the Council a written report containing the decision of such panel. Sets forth the requirements for reports on questions involving an evaluation of the risk of harm to human health presented by a substance, including a summary of effects observed, the quality of the information presented, and an advisory opinion of such panel. Sets forth Council procedures for final decisions with respect to any question of scientific fact referred to an advisory panel. Requires the agency presiding over the adjudication from which the question is referred to attempt to narrow and resolve such question by stipulations. Requires the Council to respond to the agency within 90 days after a question is referred. Sets forth the requirements of such a response, including written specific findings and hearing transcripts. Makes a determination of the Council with respect to a scientific question binding on subsequent adjudications referred to the Council unless the information presented differs substantially from that previously presented. Makes all hearings open unless it is necessary to close a hearing to preserve the confidentiality of any trade secret or otherwise privileged information. Requires all agencies to provide the Council with whatever information it may require. Sets forth the composition of and manner of appointment to the Council. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to refer to the National Science Council, upon the request of any interested person, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm any chemical in or on any consumer product may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether such consumer product presents a substantial product hazard. Makes the final decision of the Council the final decision of the Commission with respect to such question. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (formerly, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact arising in an adjudication under such Act which involves the harm any food, drug, device, pesticide chemical, food additive, or color additive may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether an application is approvable, the approval of an application should be withdrawn, or whether a prohibited act has been committed. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of the agency with respect to such question. Amends the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm a pesticide or an active ingredient may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether the classification of such pesticide would be changed or the registration of such pesticide should be refused, suspended, or canceled. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm any meat, meat food product, or carcass may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether such meat, meat product, or carcass is adulterated or misbranded. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question. Amends the Poultry Products Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm any poultry or poultry product may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining whether such poultry or poultry product is adulterated or misbranded. Makes the decision of such Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question. Amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to direct the Occupational Health and Safety Commission to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm a chemical may cause to human health and which is relevant to determining the validity of any citation. Makes the decision of the Council the final decision of such Commission with respect to such question. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to refer to the Council, upon request, any question of scientific fact which involves the harm a chemical substance or mixture may cause to human health and which is relevant to making specified determinations under such Act. Makes the decision of the Council the final decision of such agency with respect to such question.

Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in House" stage on February 13, 1980. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.

Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.