I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4733 
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to provide for a low-dose radiation 
basic research program. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 18, 2019 
Mr. POSEY (for himself, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. WEBER of Texas, and Mr. BABIN) 
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 2019’’. 
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 (42 U.S.C. 16317) 
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 and low dose-rate ra-
diation to— 
‘‘(1) enhance the scientific understanding of, 
and reduce uncertainties associated with, the effects 
of exposure to low-dose and low dose-rate 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 and 
low dose-rate radiation 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) identify and, to the extent possible, quan-
tify, potential monetary and health-related benefits 
to Federal agencies, the general public, industry, re-
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search communities, and other users of information 
produced by such research program; 
‘‘(5) leverage the collective body of knowledge 
from existing low-dose and low dose-rate radiation 
research; and 
‘‘(6) engage with other Federal agencies, re-
search communities, and potential users of informa-
tion produced under this section, including institu-
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 and coordinates 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 Depart-
ment of Homeland Security; 
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‘‘(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 and low dose-rate ra-
diation 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 and low 
dose-rate radiation and leverage research and knowl-
edge 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 and low dose-rate radiation. In 
developing such plan, the Secretary shall incorporate the 
components described in subsection (b). 
‘‘(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) LOW-DOSE
RADIATION.—The term ‘low- 
dose radiation’ means a radiation dose of less than 
100 millisieverts. 
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