including upper bound estimates and central es-
timates and, when appropriate and practicable,
the identification of susceptible groups, species,
and subpopulations whose exposure exceeds the
general population.
(B) When scientifically feasible, a descrip-
tion of appropriate statistical expressions of the
range and variability of the risk estimate, in-
cluding the population or populations addressed
by any risk estimates, central estimates of risk
for each such specific population, any appro-
priate upper bound estimates, the reasonable
range, or other description of uncertainties in
the risk assessment of which the risk character-
ization is a component.
SEC. 7. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.
To promote the conduct, application, and practice of
risk assessment in a consistent manner under Federal law
and with respect to different environmental media, and to
identify risk assessment data and research needs common
to more than one Federal agency, the Director of the Of-
fice of Science and Technology Policy shall—
(1) periodically survey the manner in which
each Federal agency involved in risk assessment is
conducting such risk assessment to determine the
scope and adequacy of risk assessment practices in
use by the Federal Government;
(2) provide advice and recommendations to the
President and the Congress based on the surveys
conducted and determinations made under para-
graph (1);
(3) establish appropriate interagency mecha-
nisms to promote coordination among Federal agen-
cies conducting risk assessment with respect to the
conduct, application, and practice of risk assessment
and to promote the use of state-of-the-art risk as-
sessment practices throughout the Federal Govern-
ment;
(4) establish appropriate mechanisms between
Federal and State agencies to communicate state-of-
the-art risk assessment practices; and
(5) periodically convene meetings with State
government representatives and Federal and other
leaders to assess the effectiveness of Federal-State
cooperation in the development and application of
risk assessment.
SEC. 8. ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REPORT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 201 of the National Envi-
ronmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4341), requiring
the President to transmit an annual Environmental Qual-
ity Report, is amended by striking ‘‘The President’’ and
inserting ‘‘The Director of the Office of Science and Tech-
nology’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—
(1) Section 204 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 4344)
is amended by repealing paragraph (1).
(2) Section 11(d) of the Federal Nonnuclear
Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 is
amended—
(A) in the first sentence by inserting ‘‘the
Director of the Office of Science and Tech-
nology,’’ after ‘‘the Secretary,’’; and
(B) in the second sentence by striking
‘‘The President’’ and inserting ‘‘The Director of
the Office of Science and Technology’’.
SEC. 9. SAVINGS PROVISION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to modify any
requirement or standard provided for in another provision
of law that provides for risk assessment or is designed to
protect health, safety, or the environment.
SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
(1) The term ‘‘major rule’’ means any rule (as
that term is defined in section 551(4) of title 5,
United States Code) that is likely to result in an an-
nual effect on the economy of $25,000,000 or more.
(2) The term ‘‘risk assessment’’ means a proc-
ess that uses a factual base to—
(A) identify, characterize, and to the ex-
tent practicable quantify the potential adverse
effects of exposure of individuals, populations,
habitats, ecosystems, or materials to hazardous
pollutants or other stressors; and
(B) to the extent practicable, identify and
characterize identifiable important uncertain-
ties.
(3) The term ‘‘risk characterization’’ means the
final component of a risk assessment, that quali-
tatively or quantitatively (or both) describes the
magnitude and consequences of that risk in terms of
the population exposed to the risk and the types of
potential effects of exposure.
(4) The term ‘‘uncertainty’’ means the quantifi-
able and unquantifiable potential error in the esti-
mation of risk that is caused by the quality or ab-
sence of data, or the assumptions used in risk esti-
mation.
(5) The term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of
an Office.
(6) The term ‘‘Office’’ means the Office of Risk
Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis of a covered
agency.
(7) The term ‘‘covered agency’’ means each of
the following:
(A) The Environmental Protection Agency.
(B) The Consumer Product Safety Com-
mission.
(C) The Occupational Health and Safety
Administration.
(D) The Department of Labor.
(E) The Department of Transportation.
(F) The Department of Energy.
(G) The Department of Agriculture.
(H) The Department of the Interior.
(I) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
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HR 690 IH——2