Timothy J. Barber Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4353

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-07-10: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-03T15:59:34Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Timothy J. Barber Act aims to evaluate how effectively the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses its budget to provide technical assistance (expert guidance) and compliance assistance (help with following safety rules) related to heat-related illnesses in the workplace. It seeks to identify ways to improve these efforts and inform potential future actions.

Key Provisions

• Study Requirement: The Secretary of Labor must conduct a study on OSHA's spending for technical and compliance assistance on heat-related illnesses.
• The study must assess the effectiveness of this spending at both national and regional levels.
• It must also explore ways to make such spending more effective.
• Reporting Deadline: Within 180 days of the Act's enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress detailing the study's findings, including recommendations for legislative or other actions to enhance effectiveness.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This legislation introduces a new mandate for a one-time study and report; it does not amend or repeal any existing laws. It builds on OSHA's ongoing authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to promote workplace safety but adds specific oversight on heat-related illness prevention funding.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor and OSHA may need to reallocate resources for the study, potentially leading to more efficient use of funds for worker safety programs. The report could influence future budgets or policy priorities for heat illness prevention.
• On Citizens: Workers in industries exposed to heat (e.g., construction, agriculture, or manufacturing) could benefit from improved assistance programs, reducing risks of heat-related illnesses like heatstroke. This may enhance overall workplace safety without direct costs to individuals.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. occupational safety.

Main Stakeholders

• Government Entities: The Department of Labor (including OSHA) is directly responsible for conducting and reporting on the study; Congress receives the report and may act on recommendations.
• Workers and Employers: Employees at risk of heat-related illnesses and businesses subject to OSHA regulations are indirectly affected, as improvements could lead to better safety training and compliance support.
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on labor rights or occupational health (e.g., unions or safety nonprofits) may influence or benefit from any resulting policy changes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill reinforces OSHA's role in workplace safety without expanding its regulatory powers, relying on existing administrative authority to conduct studies. It could set a precedent for targeted evaluations of agency spending on specific hazards.
• Constitutional: No significant issues; it aligns with Congress's power to oversee executive agencies and appropriate funds under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
• Political: The Act, named after Timothy J. Barber (possibly honoring an individual affected by heat illness), highlights bipartisan interest in worker protections amid climate change concerns. It may spark debates on federal spending efficiency but is unlikely to be controversial, as it promotes accountability without mandating new rules or costs.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]

Recent Actions

• 2025-07-10: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-07-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-07-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Timothy J. Barber Act — issued 2025-07-10 — PDF (2 pages)