6PPD Task Force Act
- Bill Number
- S. 4325
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-16: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-15T19:15:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The 6PPD Task Force Act aims to create a collaborative task force to study the harmful effects of the tire chemical 6PPD (N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine) and its byproduct 6PPD-Q (6PPD-quinone) on coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), other aquatic life, human health, and the environment. It promotes research, data sharing, and funding for safer alternatives to 6PPD while ensuring tire safety standards are maintained.
Key Provisions
- Establishment: The Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the EPA Administrator, must partner with the National Academy of Sciences within 60 days of enactment to form the 6PPD Task Force.
- Duties of the Task Force:
- Share data on 6PPD impacts and mitigation strategies (e.g., street sweeping, stormwater treatment).
- Identify federal funding for research on impacts and alternative chemicals, including commercialization.
- Recommend ways to speed up testing and adoption of safer alternatives.
- Research non-tire sources of 6PPD exposure (e.g., artificial turf, playgrounds, reefs).
- Maintain an online repository of resources, reports, and funding info accessible to stakeholders and the public.
- Membership (15+ members):
- Designees from federal agencies: DOT, EPA, USDA, USGS, USFWS, NOAA, NIH, CDC.
- At least 4 Tribal representatives from western U.S. coasts.
- At least 4 private sector reps (2 tire manufacturers, 2 chemical additive makers).
- 1 environmental group rep, 2 state agency reps with 6PPD expertise, 1 university researcher.
- Operations: Co-chaired by DOT and EPA designees; meets at least 3 times per year; exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA, which sets rules for federal advisory groups).
- Reporting: Submit findings, recommendations, and consulted experts to key congressional committees within 180 days of enactment, then annually; reports made public.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new interagency task force focused specifically on 6PPD/6PPD-Q, with no direct amendments to prior laws.
- Exempts the Task Force from FACA requirements, allowing more flexible operations without standard federal advisory procedures.
- No mandates for regulation, bans, or tire changes; emphasizes voluntary coordination, research, and funding.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increased coordination among federal (e.g., DOT, EPA), Tribal, state, and local entities; new reporting duties for agencies like USGS and NOAA.
- Citizens and Environment: Potential reduction in coho salmon deaths and waterway pollution from tire runoff; improved public access to research via online tools; no direct costs or mandates on individuals.
- Industry: Opportunities for tire/chemical manufacturers to access funding for alternatives; emphasis on maintaining vehicle safety standards.
- International Relations: None directly addressed, though findings note national security and supply chain implications for tire chemicals.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: DOT, EPA, USDA, USGS, USFWS, NOAA, NIH, CDC.
- Tribal Governments: Western U.S. Tribes impacted by coho salmon declines.
- State/Local Governments: Departments of transportation, environmental agencies with 6PPD programs.
- Private Sector: Tire manufacturers, chemical/tire additive suppliers.
- Other: Universities, research institutions, environmental groups, metropolitan planning organizations, and the public.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: FACA exemption streamlines operations but may limit public input compared to standard advisory processes.
- Constitutional: Includes Tribal representation, respecting tribal sovereignty in environmental matters affecting salmon habitats.
- Political: Bipartisan potential in addressing environmental concerns (salmon protection) alongside economic priorities (tire safety, industry innovation); requires congressional oversight via reports but no enforcement powers or budgets specified.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-16: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2026-04-16: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- 6PPD Task Force Act — issued 2026-04-16 — PDF (9 pages)