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Read. Follow. Verify.Senate Hearing: Improving Transparency in How Agencies Use Science
Record date · January 1, 2017
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What This Bill Does
This Senate subcommittee hearing examined how federal agencies use scientific data to create new regulations. The discussion focused on proposals to ensure that the information used by agencies is transparent, , and .
The hearing explores potential changes to federal standards for scientific evidence, which could alter the data requirements for future environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Federal Regulatory Agencies
These agencies may be subject to new standards for how they evaluate and document the scientific evidence used in their rulemaking processes.
Scientific Research Community
Researchers may face new requirements for data transparency and reproducibility if their work is used to support federal regulations.
Key Facts
- The hearing took place on March 9, 2017, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
- The subcommittee is reviewing how federal agencies select and utilize scientific information for regulatory decision-making.
- Proposed criteria for 'best available information' include independent peer review, reproducibility of results, and public availability of data.
- The hearing is part of a multi-year review of the federal rulemaking process by the subcommittee.
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- Witnesses included representatives from academic, scientific advocacy, and industry policy organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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News Coverage
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Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Focus on Reproducibility
The hearing highlights a shift toward prioritizing 'reproducibility' as a mandatory standard for scientific data in federal rulemaking.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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