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HR 1861 108th Congress House

Chemical Security Act of 2003

Official title: To help protect the public against the threat of chemical attacks.

Introduced: May 13, 2004 Introduced by: Pallone, Frank Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
Environmental Protection Accident preventionAdministrative procedureAdministrative remediesArmed Forces and National Security
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Business recordsChemical industriesChemical warfareChemicalsCivil actions and liabilityCommerceComputer crimesComputer networksComputer security measuresConfidential communicationsCrime and Law EnforcementCrime preventionData banksEBB TerrorismEconomics and Public FinanceEducationEmergency ManagementEmergency medicineEmployee selectionEmployee trainingEnvironmental Protection AgencyEvacuation of civiliansFines (Penalties)Fire fightersFreedom of informationGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkGovernment publicityGovernment trust fundsHealthHigher educationIdentification of criminalsIndustrial accidentsInfrastructureInfrastructure (Economics)InjunctionsInternational AffairsLabor and EmploymentLarcenyLawLaw enforcement officersMedical educationMedical personnelOccupational health and safetyParamedical personnelPlanningPoliceRecidivistsSafety measuresScience, Technology, CommunicationsSecurity measuresTechnology transferTerrorism
This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 20, 2003
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
Apr 29, 2003
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 29, 2003
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 20, 2003

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Chemical Security Act of 2003 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations to: (1) designate certain combinations of chemical sources and substances of concern as high priority categories based on the severity of the threat posed by an unauthorized release from the chemical sources; and (2) require each owner and operator of a high priority category chemical source to conduct an assessment of the vulnerability of the source to a terrorist attack or other unauthorized release, identify hazards that may result from an unauthorized release, and prepare a prevention, preparedness, and response plan.

Directs: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide owners and operators of chemical sources with relevant threat information; (2) each such owner and operator to certify that it has conducted such assessments, completed such plan, and reviewed the adequacy of the assessment or plan; and (3) the Administrator to develop protocols necessary to protect copies of such assessments and plans from unauthorized disclosure.

Directs the Administrator: (1) to establish a publicly available clearinghouse to compile and disseminate information on the use and availability of inherently safer technologies; (2) and the Secretary of Energy to establish and administer a Technology Transition Fund to provide grants to assist chemical facilities that demonstrate financial hardship in implementing inherently safer technologies; and (3) to make grants to provide for training of first responders and of employees at chemical sources in identifying opportunities to reduce the chemical source's vulnerability to a release of a substance of concern through the use of safer technologies or in emergency response procedures.

Sets forth provisions regarding Administrator: (1) certifications of source compliance with assessment and plan requirements; (2) provision of compliance assistance; (3) authorization to order compliance; and (4) actions to secure relief necessary to abate a terrorist threat.

Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for source violations.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1861: Chemical Security Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1861/
MLA
"H.R. 1861: Chemical Security Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1861/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1861, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1861/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1861: Chemical Security Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-HR-1861/)
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