Washington, DC – The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today approved by voice vote, S. 1218, the Oceans and Human Health Act. Senator Hollings (D-SC) introduced the bill on June 10, 2003. The Ocean and Human Health Act would establish a federal research program that examines ocean resources and their applications to human health. The bill would establish a federal interagency Oceans and Human Health initiative coordinated through the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), and it would create an Oceans and Human Health initiative at the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This legislation would also direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a coordinated public information and outreach program with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the states to provide information on potential ocean-related human health risks and benefits from the consumption of seafood. The Committee adopted the following amendment to S. 1106:
· A substitute amendment by Senator Hollings (D-SC) of the bill as amended. Click here for a PDF version of the Hollings amendment.