WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Committee today announced its hearing and markup schedule for the week of April 13. Members will review draft bills to protect affordable energy, improve chemical safety, and stop abusive patent practices and will also discuss post-acute health care delivery in Medicare. The full committee will also consider legislation dealing with data security, coal ash, and a bill that seeks to modify efficiency standards for grid-enabled water heaters.
On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Energy and Power will review EPA’s 111(d) Rule for Existing Power Plants, and H.R. __, the Ratepayer Protection Act. Subcommittee members will hear from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Acting Assistant Administrator Janet McCabe and a panel of stakeholders.as they are posted.
Also on Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy will hold a legislative hearing on a discussion draft of the TSCA Modernization Act. The bipartisan effort builds on work from the previous Congress and aims to improve chemical safety while providing the public with greater confidence in American-made products.as they are posted.
Following Tuesday morning’s hearings, the full committee will convene a markup of bills that protect consumers, the environment, and jobs.
* The Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015, authored by Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), aims to protect consumers by requiring certain entities that collect and maintain consumers’ personal information to secure that information and provide timely notice to affected individuals in the event of a security breach. Learn more about the bipartisan draft legislation here.
* The Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act, authored by Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), builds on the committee’s work from previous Congresses to a establish state-based regulatory program that ensures the safe management and disposal of coal ash. The legislation offers clarity and eliminates the potential implementation issues with a recent EPA rulemaking by giving states the necessary authority to implement EPA’s standards. Learn more about the legislation here.
* H.R. 906, A Bill to Modify the Efficiency Standards for Grid-Enabled Water Heaters, authored by Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY), enables thermal storage water heaters to continue being manufactured and sold by exempting them from regulation under new DOE efficiency standards that go into effect later this month. Learn more about H.R. 906 here.
Members will deliver opening statements on Tuesday and reconvene Wednesday morning to consider the bills.as they are posted.
On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade will review H.R. __, the Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters Act (TROL Act). This bill continues the subcommittee’s work from last Congress and aims to protect businesses and consumers from abusive patent demand letters while preserving the ability of legitimate patent holders to protect their intellectual property.as they are posted.
Also on Thursday, the Subcommittee on Health will discuss the current state of post-acute care for Medicare beneficiaries and ways it can be improved. As part of the discussion, subcommittee members will discuss H.R. 1458, the Bundling and Coordinating Post-Acute Care (BACPAC) Act. H.R. 1458 is a bipartisan bill that seeks to reform the delivery of the Post-Acute Care Services under Medicare by offering a system of bundled payments that aim to improve quality and efficiencies in the delivery of services to seniors in need.as they are posted.
Hearing and Vote Details:
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
10 AM
2123 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Energy and Power
Hearing on “EPA’s Proposed 111(d) Rule for Existing Power Plants, and H.R. __, Ratepayer Protection Act"
10:15 AM
2322 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Hearing on “H.R. ____, the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015"
5:00 PM
2123 Rayburn HOB
Full Committee Markup (Opening statements only)
Markup of H.R. __, the Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015, H.R. __, the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act, and H.R. 906, A Bill to Modify the Efficiency Standards for Grid-Enabled Water Heaters
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
10 AM
2123 Rayburn HOB
Reconvene Full Committee Markup
Markup of H.R. __, the Data Security and Breach Notification Act of 2015, H.R. __, the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act, and H.R. 906, A Bill to Modify the Efficiency Standards for Grid-Enabled Water Heaters
Thursday, April 16, 2015
11 AM
2123 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade
Hearing on “H.R. ___, the Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters Act (TROL Act)"
(Note: this hearing has been moved from its originally scheduled time and will now begin at 11:00 a.m.)
10:15 AM
2322 Rayburn HOB
Subcommittee on Health
Hearing on “Medicare Post Acute Care Delivery and Options to Improve It"
