Skip to main content
HR 1580 111th Congress House Environmental Protection Computers and information technology Education programs funding Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Environmental technology Government information and archives Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Higher education Manufacturing Minority education Product development and innovation Research administration and funding Research and development Science and engineering education Solid waste and recycling Teaching, teachers, curricula

To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to award grants for electronic device recycling research, development, and demonstration projects, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 18, 2009 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 23, 2009
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Apr 22, 2009
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4606-4608)
Apr 22, 2009
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
Apr 22, 2009
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 22, 2009
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4606-4608)
Apr 22, 2009
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1580.
Apr 22, 2009
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4606-4610)
Apr 22, 2009
Mr. Gordon (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 21, 2009
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 32.
Apr 21, 2009
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-75.
Mar 26, 2009
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 26, 2009
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 18, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
Mar 18, 2009
Introduced in House
Feb 11, 2009
Hearings Held Prior to Introduction and Referral.
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act - (Sec. 3) Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to award multiyear grants through a competitive, merit-based process to consortia: (1) to conduct research to create innovative and practical approaches to manage the environmental impacts of electronic devices through recycling, reuse, reduction of the use of hazardous materials, and life-cycle extension; and (2) through such research, to contribute to the professional development of scientists, engineers, and technicians in the fields of electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, and recycling.

Sets forth the ways in which research results shall be disseminated to the public.

Provides for the protection of proprietary information of trade secrets provided by any person or entity pursuant to this Act.

Requires the Administrator to report to Congress biennially on the grants awarded and the results of research projects carried out under such grants.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator to enter into an arrangement for the National Academy of Sciences to report to Congress on: (1) opportunities for, and barriers to, increasing the recyclability of electronic devices and making electronic devises safer and more environmentally friendly; (2) the risks posed by the storage, transport, recycling, and disposal of unwanted electronic devices; (3) the current status of research and training programs to promote the environmental design of electronic devices to increase the recyclability of such devices; and (4) regulatory or statutory barriers that may prevent the adoption or implementation of best management practices or technological innovations that may arise from the research and training programs established in this Act. Requires such reports to: (1) identify gaps in the current research and training programs in addressing the opportunities, barriers, and risks relating to electronic device recycling; and (2) recommend areas where additional research and development resources are needed to reduce the impact of unwanted electronic devices on the environment.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator to award grants through a competitive, merit-based process to institutions of higher education to develop curricula that incorporates the principles of environmental design into the development of electronic devices: (1) for the training of engineers and other students; and (2) to support the continuing education of professionals in the electronic device manufacturing, design, refurbishing, or recycling industries. Requires: (1) the Administrator to conduct outreach to minority serving institutions to provide information about the grants; and (2) such grants to be used for activities that enhance the ability of an institution to broaden the engineering or professional continuing education curriculum to include environmental engineering design principles and consideration of product lifecycles related to electronic devices and increasing the recyclability of such devices.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to: (1) establish an initiative to develop a comprehensive physical property database for environmentally friendly alternative materials for use in electronic devices; and (2) develop a strategic plan to establish priorities and physical property characterization requirements for the database.

Authorizes appropriations.

What's happening now April 23, 2009

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2