[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 14, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1758-H1760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




NICHOLAS AND ZACHARY BURT MEMORIAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING PREVENTION 
                              ACT OF 2021

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1460) to encourage States to require the installation of 
residential carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1460

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Nicholas and Zachary Burt 
     Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. 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, annually kills more than 400 individuals and sends 
     approximately 15,000 individuals 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 across the 
     United States in order to promote the health and public 
     safety of citizens throughout the United States.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Carbon monoxide alarm.--The term ``carbon monoxide 
     alarm'' means a device or system that--
       (A) detects carbon monoxide; and
       (B) is intended to sound an alarm at a carbon monoxide 
     concentration below a concentration that could cause a loss 
     of the 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 any 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 any successor standard.
       (4) Dwelling unit.--The term ``dwelling unit''--
       (A) means a room or suite of rooms used for human 
     habitation; and
       (B) includes--
       (i) a single family residence;
       (ii) each living unit of a multiple family residence, 
     including an apartment building; and
       (iii) 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 a 
     Tribal organization.
       (6) International fire code.--The term ``IFC'' means--
       (A) the 2015 or 2018 edition of the International Fire Code 
     published by the International Code Council; or
       (B) any amended or similar successor code pertaining to the 
     proper installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling 
     units.

[[Page H1759]]

       (7) International residential code.--The term ``IRC'' 
     means--
       (A) the 2015 or 2018 edition of the International 
     Residential Code published by the International Code Council; 
     or
       (B) any amended or similar successor code pertaining to the 
     proper installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling 
     units.
       (8) 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 relating to 
     the proper installation of carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling 
     units.
       (9) State.--The term ``State''--
       (A) has the meaning given the term in section 3(a) of the 
     Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2052(a)); and
       (B) includes--
       (i) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and
       (ii) any political subdivision of a State.
       (10) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization'' 
     has the meaning given the term in section 4(l) of the Indian 
     Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     5304(l)).

     SEC. 4. 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 States and Tribal organizations that are 
     eligible under subsection (b) to carry out the carbon 
     monoxide poisoning prevention activities described in 
     subsection (e).
       (b) Eligibility.--For the 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 72, 
     the IFC, or the IRC; and
       (2) submits an application--
       (A) to the Commission at such time, in such form, and 
     containing such additional information as the Commission may 
     require; and
       (B) that may be filed on behalf of the State or Tribal 
     organization by the fire safety code enforcement agency of 
     that State or Tribal organization.
       (c) Grant Amount.--The Commission shall determine the 
     amount of each grant 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 demonstrates a reasonable need for funding under this 
     section and that--
       (1) requires the installation of a one or more compliant 
     carbon monoxide alarms in a new or existing educational 
     facility, childcare facility, health care facility, adult 
     dependent care facility, government building, restaurant, 
     theater, lodging establishment, or dwelling unit--
       (A) within which a fuel-burning appliance, including a 
     furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace, or any other 
     apparatus, appliance, or device that burns fuel, is 
     installed; or
       (B) that has an attached garage; and
       (2) has developed a strategy to protect vulnerable 
     populations, such as children, the elderly, or low-income 
     households, from exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon 
     monoxide.
       (e) Use of Grant Funds.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), an eligible 
     State or Tribal organization to which a grant is awarded 
     under this section may use the grant--
       (A) to purchase and install compliant carbon monoxide 
     alarms in the dwelling units of low-income families or 
     elderly individuals, facilities that commonly serve children 
     or the elderly (including childcare facilities, public 
     schools, and senior centers);
       (B) for the development and dissemination of training 
     materials, instructors, and any other costs relating to the 
     training sessions authorized under this subsection; or
       (C) to educate the public about--
       (i) the risk associated with carbon monoxide as a poison; 
     and
       (ii) the importance of proper carbon monoxide alarm use.
       (2) Limitations.--
       (A) Administrative costs.--An eligible State or Tribal 
     organization to which a grant is awarded under this section 
     may use not more than 5 percent of the grant amount to cover 
     administrative costs that are not directly related to 
     training described in paragraph (1)(B).
       (B) Public outreach.--An eligible State or Tribal 
     organization to which a grant is awarded under this section 
     may use not more than 25 percent of the grant amount to cover 
     the costs of activities described in paragraph (1)(D).
       (C) State contributions.--An eligible State to which a 
     grant is awarded under this section shall, with respect to 
     the costs incurred by the State in carrying out activities 
     under the grant, provide non-Federal contributions in an 
     amount equal to not less than 25 percent of amount of Federal 
     funds provided under the grant to administer the program. 
     This subparagraph shall not apply to Tribal organizations.
       (f) Funding.--
       (1) In general.--The Commission shall carry out this Act 
     using amounts appropriated to the Commission for each of 
     fiscal years 2021 through 2025, to extent such funds are 
     available.
       (2) Limitation on administrative expenses.--In a fiscal 
     year, not more than 10 percent of the amounts appropriated or 
     otherwise made available to carry out this Act may be used 
     for administrative expenses.
       (g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the last day of 
     each fiscal year in which grants are awarded under this 
     section, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report 
     that evaluates the implementation of the grant program 
     required under this section.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 1460.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New Jersey?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1460, the Nicholas and 
Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2021.
  This important bipartisan bill was introduced again this Congress by 
Representatives Ann Kuster and Buddy Carter.
  Mr. Speaker, carbon monoxide--colorless, odorless, tasteless--is a 
silent killer. More than 400 people die, and approximately 50,000 
people visit emergency rooms each year in the U.S. from carbon monoxide 
poisoning.
  The tragedy is that these deaths and injuries are preventable with 
the installation of carbon monoxide detectors. However, many people are 
unaware of the importance of carbon monoxide detectors or don't know 
how to install or maintain them properly.
  This bill will change that. It will assist States in educating the 
public on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and the proper use 
of carbon monoxide detectors. It will also provide States with grants 
so they can purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors in the homes 
of the elderly and low-income citizens, as well as in educational 
facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to support this measure, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1460, the Nicholas and 
Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2021.
  I thank Representatives Carter and Kuster, two great members of the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce. I thank them for their work on this 
important piece of legislation and for the many years they have served 
and worked to protect consumers.
  Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning 
fuel, and most people know that. Exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon 
monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious health 
condition that could result in death, unfortunately.
  Mr. Speaker, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from motor 
vehicles and the abnormal operation of fuel-burning appliances, such as 
furnaces, water heaters, portable generators, and stoves kills more 
than 400 people each year and sends more than 15,000 to hospital 
emergency rooms for treatment.
  This legislation would protect Americans from an otherwise 
undetectable harm. This bipartisan bill represents a longstanding 
commitment of the Committee on Energy and Commerce to protect America's 
consumers, families, and children.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this particular bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), who is the lead sponsor of 
the bill.
  Ms. KUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, as a mother and aunt--and now a great aunt--to a dozen 
little

[[Page H1760]]

ones, I know there is nothing more important than keeping our children 
and loved ones safe. From a young age, we tell our children to wear 
their seatbelts in the car, a helmet while riding a bike or skiing, and 
to handle sharp objects with care. We go to great lengths to protect 
our children from the dangers we can see, but there are threats to our 
children's and loved ones' well-being that oftentimes go undetected.
  Among the most dangerous of these is carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide 
is a stealthy killer. You cannot see it, hear it, taste it, or smell 
it. This deadly gas claims the lives of over 400 Americans every year 
and results in over 20,000 emergency room visits.
  Two of my constituents, John and April Courtney in Lyman, New 
Hampshire, tragically lost their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning 
just this past year. If people know about the dangers of carbon 
monoxide and have alarms properly installed in their homes, tragedies 
like the one in my district, can be prevented.
  Mr. Speaker, that is why I am so proud to join my good friend, 
Representative Carter, in introducing in the House, H.R. 1460, the 
Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention 
Act that we will be voting on this evening.
  This legislation provides funding for States to prevent future carbon 
monoxide-related deaths by educating the public about the dangers of 
carbon monoxide poisoning and installing detectors in housing for the 
elderly and low-income individuals and high-traffic public buildings 
like schools. This bipartisan legislation will save lives.
  At a time when Congress so often seems divided, this legislation is 
proof that we can work together to find common ground and get things 
done to help our constituents.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Carter, and I thank our chairman, and I 
encourage all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Carter), my good friend.
  Mr. Speaker, I really appreciate his perspective on the Committee on 
Energy and Commerce as the only pharmacist on the committee. I thank 
him for sponsoring this legislation.
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.

  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1460. The bill, the 
Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention 
Act is a piece of legislation that can save lives.
  It would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to award 
grants to install carbon monoxide alarms in buildings and facilities 
that house vulnerable members of the population.
  According to the CDC, at least 430 people die in the United States 
from accidental CO poisoning every year. On top of that, nearly 50,000 
people visit the ER every year because of accidental CO poisoning. On a 
higher note, we can curb this statistic.
  Better monitoring systems will ensure that people can prepare and 
protect themselves. This bipartisan legislation, which I was proud to 
cosponsor with my good friend, Representative Kuster from New 
Hampshire, helps us move the needle on this important subject. Many of 
us have heard stories of families being impacted by this tragic and 
preventable outcome. Whether it is seniors or children, this bill can 
help save lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her hard work on this bill, and 
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill. 
It is a great bill, a good consumer protection bill, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also urge support for the bill, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 1460.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. HARRIS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

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