S. 2290 — 108th Congress

FAIR Act of 2004

Originated in the Senate · Introduced Apr 7, 2004 · Law

Latest action

Apr 22, 2004

Cloture 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, 2004

Introduced 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 record

Apr 22, 2004 · On the Cloture Motion

Full roll call

Cloture Motion Rejected (50–47)

62 of 100 recorded votes are not yet matched to a member profile.

Yea50: 18 R

MemberPartyState
VOINOVICH, George VictorOH
LUGAR, Richard GreenIN
SANTORUM, Richard JohnPA
STEVENS, Theodore FultonAK
DOMENICI, Pete VichiNM
BUNNING, James Paul DavidKY
BROWNBACK, Sam DaleKS
MILLER, Zell BryanGA
ENSIGN, John EricNV
HAGEL, Charles TimothyNE
DeWINE, MichaelOH
GREGG, Judd AlanNH
CRAIG, Larry EdwinID
THOMAS, Craig LyleWY
BOND, Christopher SamuelMO
FITZGERALD, Peter G.IL
SNOWE, Olympia JeanME
ALLARD, A. WayneCO
HUTCHISON, Kathryn Ann BaileyTX
COLEMAN, NormMN
SMITH, Gordon HaroldOR
DOLE, Elizabeth HanfordNC
BURNS, ConradMT
FRIST, William H.TN
LOTT, Chester TrentMS
TALENT, James MatthesMO
NICKLES, Donald LeeOK
BENNETT, Robert FosterUT
ALLEN, GeorgeVA
CHAFEE, Lincoln DavenportRI
WARNER, John WilliamVA
SUNUNU, John E.NH
Lisa MurkowskiRepublicanAK
Jeff SessionsRepublicanAL
Richard C. ShelbyRepublicanAL
John McCainRepublicanAZ
Jon KylRepublicanAZ
Saxby ChamblissRepublicanGA
Chuck GrassleyRepublicanIA
Mike CrapoRepublicanID
Pat RobertsRepublicanKS
Mitch McConnellRepublicanKY
Susan M. CollinsRepublicanME
Thad CochranRepublicanMS
James M. InhofeRepublicanOK
Lindsey GrahamRepublicanSC
Lamar AlexanderRepublicanTN
John CornynRepublicanTX
Orrin G. HatchRepublicanUT
Michael B. EnziRepublicanWY

Nay47: 20 D

MemberPartyState
INOUYE, Daniel KenHI
LAUTENBERG, Frank RaleighNJ
CORZINE, Jon StevensNJ
BINGAMAN, Jesse Francis (Jeff), Jr.NM
HOLLINGS, Ernest FrederickSC
FEINGOLD, Russell DanaWI
LIEBERMAN, Joseph I.CT
BYRD, Robert CarlyleWV
SARBANES, Paul SpyrosMD
DODD, Christopher JohnCT
JEFFORDS, James MerrillVT
BREAUX, John BerlingerLA
BAUCUS, Max SiebenMT
DORGAN, Byron LeslieND
CLINTON, Hillary RodhamNY
NELSON, Earl BenjaminNE
BAYH, EvanIN
KENNEDY, Edward MooreMA
KOHL, Herbert H.WI
LINCOLN, Blanche LambertAR
DASCHLE, Thomas AndrewSD
GRAHAM, Daniel RobertFL
AKAKA, Daniel KahikinaHI
DAYTON, MarkMN
CONRAD, KentND
EDWARDS, JohnNC
BIDEN, Joseph Robinette (Joe), Jr.DE
Mark L. PryorDemocratAR
Barbara BoxerDemocratCA
Dianne FeinsteinDemocratCA
Thomas R. CarperDemocratDE
Bill NelsonDemocratFL
Tom HarkinDemocratIA
Richard J. DurbinDemocratIL
Mary L. LandrieuDemocratLA
Barbara A. MikulskiDemocratMD
Carl LevinDemocratMI
Debbie StabenowDemocratMI
Harry ReidDemocratNV
Charles E. SchumerDemocratNY
Ron WydenDemocratOR
Jack ReedDemocratRI
Tim JohnsonDemocratSD
Patrick J. LeahyDemocratVT
Maria CantwellDemocratWA
Patty MurrayDemocratWA
John D. Rockefeller, IVDemocratWV

Not Voting3

MemberPartyState
SPECTER, ArlenPA
CAMPBELL, Ben NighthorseCO
KERRY, John ForbesMA

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