Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-2567
Sponsor: Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5]
Introduced: 2005-05-24 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Automobile engines
Business records
Commerce
Consumer education
Consumer protection
Crime and Law Enforcement
Federal preemption
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Liability for environmental damages
Local laws
Packaging
Poisons
Products liability
State laws
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2005-05-24
text: 
Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2005 - Requires engine coolant or antifreeze that is manufactured six months after the enactment of this Act, and that contains more than 10 percent ethylene glycol, to include denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million and a maximum of 50 parts per million as a bittering agent so as to render the coolant or antifreeze unpalatable.
 
Requires a coolant or antifreeze manufacturer to maintain records of compliance with this Act.
 
Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, recyclers, or sellers of engine coolant or antifreeze who are in compliance with the requirements of this Act for personal and property loss or damage to the environment that results from the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in any coolant or antifreeze.
 
 Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the sale of a motor vehicle that contains engine coolant or antifreeze; or (2) wholesale containers of engine coolant or antifreeze containing 55 gallons or more of engine coolant or antifreeze.

action_date: 2006-12-08
text: 
Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to: (1) commence, in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state officials, an evaluation to determine whether there is evidence that the use of the bittering agent denatonium benzoate in engine coolant or antifreeze has an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment; (2) complete such evaluation within 180 days; and (3) publish its findings in the Federal Register.
 
Requires engine coolant or antifreeze that is manufactured 180 days or more after publication of the Commission's findings and that contains more than 10% ethylene glycol to include a specified concentration of denatonium benzoate to render the coolant or antifreeze unpalatable unless the Commission finds evidence that denatonium benzoate has an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment. Allows the Commission to permit use of an alternative bittering agent in lieu of denatonium benzoate if the Commission finds: (1) that such alternative is as effective as denatonium benzoate; and (2) in cooperation with EPA, that there is no evidence of an unreasonable adverse environmental effect.
 
Defines the term &quot;unreasonable adverse effect on the environment&quot; to mean an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment, taking into account the economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits.
 
Deems any engine coolant or antifreeze that is not in compliance with this Act to be a banned hazardous substance.
 
Requires a coolant or antifreeze manufacturer to maintain records of active ingredients of bittering agents. 
 
Limits the liability of manufacturers, processors, distributors, recyclers, or sellers of engine coolant or antifreeze related to the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in compliance with this Act. Declares that the Act does not exempt manufactures or distributors of denatonium benzoate or an alternative bittering agent from liability related to such additive. 
 
Preempts state or local laws that impose different requirements relating to the inclusion of a bittering agent in engine coolant or antifreeze with respect to retail containers containing less than 55 gallons. Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the sale of a motor vehicle that contains engine coolant or antifreeze; or (2) wholesale containers of 55 gallons or more of engine coolant or antifreeze.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 433.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Committee on Transportation discharged.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Committee on Transportation discharged.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Committee on Judiciary discharged.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Referred jointly and sequentially to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for a period ending not later than Dec. 8, 2006 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(r), rule X.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Referred jointly and sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than Dec. 8, 2006 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(l), rule X.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on 109-730, Part I.
action_date: 2006-12-08
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on 109-730, Part I.
action_date: 2006-07-12
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 15.
action_date: 2006-07-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2006-05-23
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2005-06-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2005-05-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2005-05-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2005-05-24
text: Introduced in House