I 
115TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4675 
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide for a low-dose radiation 
basic research program. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 18, 2017 
Mr. MARSHALL (for himself, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. SMITH of Texas, and Mr. 
WEBER of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide for 
a low-dose radiation basic research program. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Low-Dose Radiation 
Research Act of 2017’’. 
SEC. 2. LOW-DOSE RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subtitle G of title IX of the En-
ergy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16311 et seq.) is 
amended by inserting after section 977 the following new 
section: 
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‘‘SEC. 977A. LOW-DOSE RADIATION RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out a 
basic research program on low-dose radiation to— 
‘‘(1) enhance the scientific understanding of, 
and reduce uncertainties associated with, the effects 
of exposure to low-dose radiation; and 
‘‘(2) inform improved risk-assessment and risk- 
management methods with respect to such radiation. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—In carrying out the 
program required under subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall— 
‘‘(1) formulate scientific goals for low-dose radi-
ation basic research in the United States; 
‘‘(2) identify ongoing scientific challenges for 
understanding the long-term effects of ionizing radi-
ation on biological systems; 
‘‘(3) 
develop 
a 
long-term 
strategic 
and 
prioritized basic research agenda to address such 
scientific challenges in coordination with other re-
search efforts; 
‘‘(4) leverage the collective body of knowledge 
from existing low-dose radiation research; and 
‘‘(5) engage with other Federal agencies, re-
search communities, and potential users of informa-
tion produced under this section, including institu-
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tions concerning radiation research, medical physics, 
radiology, health physics, and emergency response. 
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the program, 
the Secretary, in coordination with the Physical Science 
Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology 
Council, shall— 
‘‘(1) support the directives under section 106 of 
the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act 
(42 U.S.C. 6601 note); 
‘‘(2) ensure that the Office of Science of the 
Department of Energy consults with the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National 
Institutes of Health, the Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Department of Defense, the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission, and the Department of 
Homeland Security; 
‘‘(3) advise and assist the National Science and 
Technology Council on policies and initiatives in ra-
diation biology, including enhancing scientific knowl-
edge of the effects of low-dose radiation on biological 
systems to improve radiation risk-assessment and 
risk-management methods; and 
‘‘(4) identify opportunities to stimulate inter-
national cooperation relating to low-dose radiation 
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and leverage research and knowledge from sources 
outside of the United States. 
‘‘(d) RESEARCH PLAN.—Not later than 180 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
transmit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Tech-
nology of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a 4-year 
research plan that identifies and prioritizes basic research 
needs relating to low-dose radiation. In developing such 
plan, the Secretary shall incorporate the components de-
scribed in subsection (b). 
‘‘(e) DEFINITION
OF LOW-DOSE RADIATION.—In 
this section, the term ‘low-dose radiation’ means a radi-
ation dose of less than 100 millisieverts. 
‘‘(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to subject any research carried out 
by the Secretary for the program under this section to 
any limitations described in 977(e) of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16317(e)). 
‘‘(g) FUNDING.—For purposes of carrying out this 
section, the Secretary is authorized to make available from 
funds provided to the Biological and Environmental Re-
search Program— 
‘‘(1) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 
‘‘(2) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 
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‘‘(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; and 
‘‘(4) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2021.’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of con-
tents for subtitle G of title IX of the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005 is amended by inserting after the item relating 
to section 977 the following: 
‘‘977A. Low-dose radiation research program.’’. 
Æ 
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