[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 17 (Thursday, January 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 3088. Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Casey, Mr.
Blumenthal, Mr. Menendez, and Mr. Franken) submitted an amendment
intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2953 proposed by Ms. Murkowski
to the bill S. 2012, to provide for the modernization of the energy
policy of the United States, and for other purposes; which was ordered
to lie on the table; as follows:
On page 427, after line 4, add the following:
TITLE VI--CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING PREVENTION
SEC. 6001. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Nicholas and Zachary Burt
Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015''.
SEC. 6002. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF CONGRESS.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced
by burning any fuel. Exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon
monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious
health condition that could result in death.
(2) Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from motor
vehicles and improper operation of fuel-burning appliances,
such as furnaces, water heaters, portable generators, and
stoves, kills more than 400 people each year and sends
approximately 15,000 to hospital emergency rooms for
treatment.
(3) Research shows that installing carbon monoxide alarms
close to the sleeping areas in residential homes and other
dwelling units can help avoid fatalities.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that
Congress should promote the installation of carbon monoxide
alarms in residential homes and dwelling units nationwide in
order to promote the health and public safety of citizens
throughout the United States.
SEC. 6003. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Carbon monoxide alarm.--The term ``carbon monoxide
alarm'' means a device or system that--
(A) detects carbon monoxide; and
(B) is intended to alarm at carbon monoxide concentrations
below those that could cause a loss of ability to react to
the dangers of carbon monoxide exposure.
(2) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Consumer
Product Safety Commission.
(3) Compliant carbon monoxide alarm.--The term ``compliant
carbon monoxide alarm'' means a carbon monoxide alarm that
complies with the most current version of--
(A) the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon
Monoxide Alarms of the American National Standards Institute
and UL (ANSI/UL 2034) or successor standard; and
(B) the Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors of
the American National Standards Institute and UL (ANSI/UL
2075) or successor standard.
(4) Dwelling unit.--The term ``dwelling unit'' means a room
or suite of rooms used for human habitation, and includes a
single family residence as well as each living unit of a
multiple family residence (including apartment buildings) and
each living unit in a mixed use building.
(5) Fire code enforcement officials.--The term ``fire code
enforcement officials'' means officials of the fire safety
code enforcement agency of a State or local government or
tribal organization.
(6) NFPA 720.--The term ``NFPA 720'' means--
(A) the Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide
Detection and Warning Equipment issued by the National Fire
Protection Association in 2012; and
(B) any amended or similar successor standard pertaining to
the proper installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling
units.
(7) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given such
term in section 3 of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15
U.S.C. 2052) and includes the Northern Mariana Islands and
any political subdivision of a State.
(8) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization''
has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b).
SEC. 6004. GRANT PROGRAM FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
PREVENTION.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations authorized under subsection (f), the
Commission shall establish a grant program to provide
assistance to eligible States and tribal organizations to
carry out the carbon monoxide poisoning prevention activities
described in subsection (e).
(b) Eligibility.--For purposes of this section, an eligible
State or tribal organization is any State or tribal
organization that--
(1) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commission that
the State or tribal organization has adopted a statute or a
rule, regulation, or similar measure with the force and
effect of law, requiring compliant carbon monoxide alarms to
be installed in dwelling units in accordance with NFPA 720;
and
(2) submits an application to the Commission at such time,
in such form, and containing such additional information as
the Commission may require, which application may be filed on
behalf of the State or tribal organization by the fire code
enforcement officials for such State or tribal organization.
(c) Grant Amount.--The Commission shall determine the
amount of the grants awarded under this section.
(d) Selection of Grant Recipients.--In selecting eligible
States and tribal organizations for the award of grants under
this section, the Commission shall give favorable
consideration to an eligible State or tribal organization
that--
(1) requires the installation of compliant carbon monoxide
alarms in new or existing educational facilities, childcare
facilities, health care facilities, adult dependent care
facilities, government buildings, restaurants, theaters,
lodging establishments, or dwelling units--
(A) within which a fuel-burning appliance is installed,
including a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace, or any
other apparatus, appliance, or device that burns fuel; or
(B) which has an attached garage; and
(2) has developed a strategy to protect vulnerable
populations such as children, the elderly, or low-income
households.
(e) Use of Grant Funds.--
(1) In general.--An eligible State or tribal organization
receiving a grant under this section may use such grant--
(A) to purchase and install compliant carbon monoxide
alarms in the dwelling units of low-income families or
elderly persons, facilities that commonly serve children or
the elderly, including childcare facilities, public schools,
and senior centers, or student dwelling units owned by public
universities;
(B) to train State, tribal organization, or local fire code
enforcement officials in the proper enforcement of State,
tribal, or local laws concerning compliant carbon monoxide
alarms and the installation of such alarms in accordance with
NFPA 720;
(C) for the development and dissemination of training
materials, instructors, and any other costs related to the
training sessions authorized by this subsection; or
(D) to educate the public about the risk associated with
carbon monoxide as a poison and the importance of proper
carbon monoxide alarm use.
(2) Limitations.--
(A) Administrative costs.--Not more than 5 percent of any
grant amount received under this section may be used to cover
administrative costs not directly related to training
described in paragraph (1)(B).
(B) Public outreach.--Not more than 25 percent of any grant
amount received under this section may be used to cover costs
of activities described in paragraph (1)(D).
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), there is
authorized to be appropriated to the Commission, for each of
the fiscal years 2015 through 2019, $2,000,000, which shall
remain available until expended to carry out this Act.
(2) Limitation on administrative expenses.--Not more than
10 percent of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made
available to carry out this section may be used for
administrative expenses.
(3) Retention of amounts.--Any amounts appropriated
pursuant to this subsection that remain unexpended and
unobligated on September 30, 2019, shall be retained by the
Commission and credited to the appropriations account that
funds the enforcement of the Consumer Product Safety Act (15
U.S.C. 2051).
(g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the last day of
each fiscal year for which grants are awarded under this
section, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report
that evaluates the implementation of the grant program
required by this section.
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