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HR 4012 113th Congress House Environmental Protection Administrative law and regulatory procedures Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Environmental regulatory procedures Government information and archives Research administration and funding

Secret Science Reform Act of 2014

Introduced: February 6, 2014 Introduced by: Schweikert, David Republican · Arizona See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) 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 26 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 20, 2014
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Nov 19, 2014
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Nov 19, 2014
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 237 - 190 (Roll no. 528).
Nov 19, 2014
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 196 - 230 (Roll no. 527).
Nov 19, 2014
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H8101)
Nov 19, 2014
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the E. B. Johnson (TX) motion to recommit with instructions, pending reservation of a point order. The instructions contained in the motion seek to report the same back to the House forthwith with an amendment to exempt any Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation that protects communities in an emergency, including an Ebola or pandemic flu outbreak, the release of toxic chemicals, or a nuclear, biological, or terrorist attack. Subsequently, the reservation of a point of order was removed.
Nov 19, 2014
Ms. Johnson, E. B. moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. (consideration: CR H8100-8102; text: CR H8100-8101)
Nov 19, 2014
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8097)
Nov 19, 2014
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H8100)
Nov 19, 2014
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4012.
Nov 19, 2014
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 756, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kennedy Part B amendment No. 2.
Nov 19, 2014
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 756, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar Part B amendment No. 1.
Nov 19, 2014
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4012.
Nov 19, 2014
The Speaker designated the Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr. to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Nov 19, 2014
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 756 and Rule XVIII.
Nov 19, 2014
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012 and H.R. 4795. General debate is limited to 1 hour for each bill. The resolution specifies certain amendments are in order for H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012, and H.R. 4795. One motion to recommit with instructions is permitted for each bill.
Nov 19, 2014
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 756. (consideration: CR H8087-8103)
Nov 17, 2014
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 756 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012 and H.R. 4795. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012, and H.R. 4795. General debate is limited to 1 hour for each bill. The resolution specifies certain amendments are in order for H.R. 1422, H.R. 4012, and H.R. 4795. One motion to recommit with instructions is permitted for each bill.
Nov 12, 2014
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 460.
Nov 12, 2014
Reported by the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. H. Rept. 113-619.
Jun 24, 2014
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jun 24, 2014
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mar 5, 2014
Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment.
Feb 11, 2014
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Environment Prior to Referral.
Feb 6, 2014
Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Feb 6, 2014
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Nov 19, 2014 House · vote #528 On Passage Passed 237190 See who voted →
Nov 19, 2014 House · vote #527 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 196230 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,147 Amendment sought to allow the EPA to use all peer-reviewed scientific publications. Failed Nov 19, 2014
HAMDT 1,146 Gosar, Paul A. Amendment provides that the EPA must make all scientific and technical information relied upon for rulemaking… Agreed to Nov 19, 2014
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Secret Science Reform Act of 2014 - Amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating a covered action unless all scientific and technical information relied on to support such action is specifically identified and publicly available online in a manner sufficient for independent analysis and substantial reproduction of research results. Includes as a covered action a risk, exposure, or hazard assessment, criteria document, standard, limitation, regulation, regulatory impact analysis, or guidance.

What's happening now November 20, 2014

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

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4012: Secret Science Reform Act of 2014. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4012/
MLA
"H.R. 4012: Secret Science Reform Act of 2014." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4012/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4012, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4012/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4012: Secret Science Reform Act of 2014](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4012/)
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