S. 2290 — 108th Congress
FAIR Act of 2004
Sponsor
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| S. 2363 · Families | A bill to revise and extend the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. |
| S. 151 · Crime and Law Enforcement | PROTECT Act |
| S.Con.Res. 76 · Commemorations | A concurrent resolution recognizing that November 2, 2003, shall be dedicated to "A Tribute to Survivors" at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. |
Latest action
Apr 22, 2004Cloture on the motion to proceed not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 47. Record Vote Number: 69.
CRS summary
As of Apr 7, 2004Introduced in Senate
Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2004 or FAIR Act of 2004 - Establishes within the Department of Labor the Office of Asbestos Disease Compensation, to be headed by an Administrator responsible for processing claims for compensation for asbestos-related injuries and managing the Asbestos Injury Claims Resolution Fund (Fund) (established within such Office).
Authorizes the Administrator to establish a Medical Advisory Committee. Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish an Advisory Committee on Asbestos Disease Compensation; (2) establish a comprehensive asbestos claimant assistance program that includes legal assistance; and (3) appoint physicians to claim-specific Physicians Panels.
Establishes: (1) procedures for handling claims of asbestos-related disease and injury; (2) medical evidence auditing and review procedures and applicable medical criteria; and (3) award amounts and payment methods. Imposes a general four-year statute of limitations for filing claims, with special provisions for pending claims and multiple injuries. Allows certain asymptomatic claimants to receive medical monitoring reimbursement.
Specifies the funding allocation for asbestos defendants required to pay into the Fund. Establishes the Asbestos Insurers Commission to determine Fund payment obligations of insurers up to a specified aggregate amount.
Vests exclusive jurisdiction to review: (1) final determinations regarding fund obligations and actions for declaratory and injunctive relief under this Act in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia; and (2) award decisions in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the circuit in which the claimant resides.
Amends the criminal code to prohibit and establish penalties for fraud and false information in connection with Fund claims. Amends the bankruptcy code to state that Fund contribution obligations are not subject to an automatic stay or dischargeable in bankruptcy. Requires remedies provided by this Act to be the exclusive remedy for asbestos claims. Addresses the effect of this Act on insurance and reinsurance contracts.
Requires the sunset of specified provisions of this Act if the Administrator determines that the Fund has insufficient resources.
Requires the Administrator to refer possible violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Clean Air Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to specified officials for possible civil or criminal penalties. Requires the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review Federal sentencing guidelines to ensure that environmental crimes relating to asbestos are sufficiently punished.
Prohibits discrimination in health insurance coverage against persons who participate in medical monitoring programs under this Act.
Amends the TSCA to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations prohibiting the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos containing products, subject to specified exemptions.
Congressional Research Service, via api.congress.gov (public domain)
Roll-call votes
1 on recordApr 22, 2004 · On the Cloture Motion
Full roll call62 of 100 recorded votes are not yet matched to a member profile.
Yea — 50: 18 R
| Member | State |
|---|---|
| VOINOVICH, George Victor | OH |
| LUGAR, Richard Green | IN |
| SANTORUM, Richard John | PA |
| STEVENS, Theodore Fulton | AK |
| DOMENICI, Pete Vichi | NM |
| BUNNING, James Paul David | KY |
| BROWNBACK, Sam Dale | KS |
| MILLER, Zell Bryan | GA |
| ENSIGN, John Eric | NV |
| HAGEL, Charles Timothy | NE |
| DeWINE, Michael | OH |
| GREGG, Judd Alan | NH |
| CRAIG, Larry Edwin | ID |
| THOMAS, Craig Lyle | WY |
| BOND, Christopher Samuel | MO |
| FITZGERALD, Peter G. | IL |
| SNOWE, Olympia Jean | ME |
| ALLARD, A. Wayne | CO |
| HUTCHISON, Kathryn Ann Bailey | TX |
| COLEMAN, Norm | MN |
| SMITH, Gordon Harold | OR |
| DOLE, Elizabeth Hanford | NC |
| BURNS, Conrad | MT |
| FRIST, William H. | TN |
| LOTT, Chester Trent | MS |
| TALENT, James Matthes | MO |
| NICKLES, Donald Lee | OK |
| BENNETT, Robert Foster | UT |
| ALLEN, George | VA |
| CHAFEE, Lincoln Davenport | RI |
| WARNER, John William | VA |
| SUNUNU, John E. | NH |
| Lisa Murkowski | AK |
| Jeff Sessions | AL |
| Richard C. Shelby | AL |
| John McCain | AZ |
| Jon Kyl | AZ |
| Saxby Chambliss | GA |
| Chuck Grassley | IA |
| Mike Crapo | ID |
| Pat Roberts | KS |
| Mitch McConnell | KY |
| Susan M. Collins | ME |
| Thad Cochran | MS |
| James M. Inhofe | OK |
| Lindsey Graham | SC |
| Lamar Alexander | TN |
| John Cornyn | TX |
| Orrin G. Hatch | UT |
| Michael B. Enzi | WY |
Nay — 47: 20 D
| Member | State |
|---|---|
| INOUYE, Daniel Ken | HI |
| LAUTENBERG, Frank Raleigh | NJ |
| CORZINE, Jon Stevens | NJ |
| BINGAMAN, Jesse Francis (Jeff), Jr. | NM |
| HOLLINGS, Ernest Frederick | SC |
| FEINGOLD, Russell Dana | WI |
| LIEBERMAN, Joseph I. | CT |
| BYRD, Robert Carlyle | WV |
| SARBANES, Paul Spyros | MD |
| DODD, Christopher John | CT |
| JEFFORDS, James Merrill | VT |
| BREAUX, John Berlinger | LA |
| BAUCUS, Max Sieben | MT |
| DORGAN, Byron Leslie | ND |
| CLINTON, Hillary Rodham | NY |
| NELSON, Earl Benjamin | NE |
| BAYH, Evan | IN |
| KENNEDY, Edward Moore | MA |
| KOHL, Herbert H. | WI |
| LINCOLN, Blanche Lambert | AR |
| DASCHLE, Thomas Andrew | SD |
| GRAHAM, Daniel Robert | FL |
| AKAKA, Daniel Kahikina | HI |
| DAYTON, Mark | MN |
| CONRAD, Kent | ND |
| EDWARDS, John | NC |
| BIDEN, Joseph Robinette (Joe), Jr. | DE |
| Mark L. Pryor | AR |
| Barbara Boxer | CA |
| Dianne Feinstein | CA |
| Thomas R. Carper | DE |
| Bill Nelson | FL |
| Tom Harkin | IA |
| Richard J. Durbin | IL |
| Mary L. Landrieu | LA |
| Barbara A. Mikulski | MD |
| Carl Levin | MI |
| Debbie Stabenow | MI |
| Harry Reid | NV |
| Charles E. Schumer | NY |
| Ron Wyden | OR |
| Jack Reed | RI |
| Tim Johnson | SD |
| Patrick J. Leahy | VT |
| Maria Cantwell | WA |
| Patty Murray | WA |
| John D. Rockefeller, IV | WV |
Not Voting — 3
| Member | State |
|---|---|
| SPECTER, Arlen | PA |
| CAMPBELL, Ben Nighthorse | CO |
| KERRY, John Forbes | MA |
Member pages currently show roll-call votes from the 119th Congress only. The “Member pages” column marks votes from that congress.