Show Me the Science Act
Latest action (2 Aug 2024): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9249, the "Show Me the Science Act," would amend the federal rulemaking process under title 5 of the U.S. Code. It would require federal agencies to publish the scientific data, incident data, or other pertinent data they relied on when issuing a proposed rule, as part of that rule's publication. An exception would apply if the agency head personally determines that releasing the data would harm public safety or security; in that case, the agency would have to notify the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the reasons for withholding the data and publish that notification in the Federal Register. The Administrator of that office would be tasked with issuing guidance to agencies on complying with the requirement and monitoring compliance. The bill also defines "scientific data" as recorded factual material generally accepted in the scientific community and sufficient in quality to allow research findings to be validated and replicated.
The bill would primarily affect federal executive agencies engaged in rulemaking, requiring greater transparency about the evidentiary basis for regulations. It could also affect members of the public, businesses, and advocacy groups who review or comment on proposed rules, by giving them access to the underlying data agencies used to justify those rules, except where safety or security concerns lead an agency to withhold it.
The bill was introduced on August 2, 2024, by Rep. Chuck Edwards, with Rep. August Pfluger as a cosponsor, and was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 118th Congress, so it did not become law. For it to advance, it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress and go through committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and presidential signature.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill was introduced on August 2, 2024, in a previous session of Congress, but it did not receive a vote.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9249 do?
- H.R. 9249, the "Show Me the Science Act," would amend the federal rulemaking process under title 5 of the U.S. Code. It would require federal agencies to publish the scientific data, incident data, or other pertinent data they relied on when issuing a proposed rule, as part of that rule's publication. An exception would apply if the agency head personally determines that releasing the data would harm public safety or security; in that case, the agency would have to notify the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the reasons for withholding the data and publish that notification in the Federal Register. The Administrator of that office would be tasked with issuing guidance to agencies on complying with the requirement and monitoring compliance. The bill also defines "scientific data" as recorded factual material generally accepted in the scientific community and sufficient in quality to allow research findings to be validated and replicated. The bill would primarily affect federal executive agencies engaged in rulemaking, requiring greater transparency about the evidentiary basis for regulations. It could also affect members of the public, businesses, and advocacy groups who review or comment on proposed rules, by giving them access to the underlying data agencies used to justify those rules, except where safety or security concerns lead an agency to withhold it. The bill was introduced on August 2, 2024, by Rep. Chuck Edwards, with Rep. August Pfluger as a cosponsor, and was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. It did not receive a vote before the end of the 118th Congress, so it did not become law. For it to advance, it would need to be reintroduced in a future Congress and go through committee consideration, floor votes in both chambers, and presidential signature.
- Has H.R. 9249 become law?
- Not yet. As of 2 Aug 2024, H.R. 9249 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9249?
- H.R. 9249 was sponsored by Rep. Charles (Chuck) Edwards [R-NC11] (Republican-NC), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9249?
- Introduced (2 Aug 2024).
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