TAM-B - Special Session: The HPS Government Relations Program North 222ABC 08:00 - 10:50
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TAM-B.1
08:00 The HPS Government Relations Program: How the HPS Has Impact in Washington CA Little*, HPS
Abstract: The HPS Government Relations Program (GRP) is designed to make the HPS and its members available to government entities for issues related to radiation protection of workers, the public and the environment. The GRP has three parts: The Federal Agency Liaison (FAL), the Congressional Liaison (CL) and the Government Relations Committee (GRC). In conjunction with the HPS Board of Directors and in concert with the HPS Strategic Plan, the three entities work together to give HPS a voice in Washington by commenting on proposed regulatory changes and upcoming legislation of interest to HPS. The Federal Agency Liaison is responsible for keeping abreast of potential changes in regulations as well as tracking legislation that might impact the health physics profession. Pre-pandemic, the Congressional Liaison and the FAL schedule semiannual visits to Washington to meet with selected agencies and congressional staff. The pandemic has made those trips impossible, but interactions have still continued. The presentation describes the organization of the GRP, recent successes in championing legislation and continuing relationships with various agencies and congressional committees.
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TAM-B.2
08:20 Commenting on Proposed Regulations JP Ring*, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Abstract: The Health Physics Society’s Government Relations Committee reviews and comments on regulations and legislation affecting the health physics community. The goal is to have the HPS recognized as an independent, professional, and expert information source on radiological sciences and radiation safety. The intent is to have legislation, regulations, and public policies based on current, sound science and good radiation safety practices.
With the involvement of the Society’s members, health physicists from a variety of backgrounds collaborate to develop a position on pending regulatory action or in response to a request for assistance. This presentation provides an overview of comment process and the Society’s effort to prepare a response. This process benefits the Society, regulator and member by bringing together individuals with different viewpoints and expertise to prepare the comment. This results in a strong comment based on experience while advancing the member’s professional development. The Society and comment process benefits from the group’s collective experience and helps the HPS reach its Mission of excellence in the science and practice of radiation safety.
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TAM-B.3
08:40 Department of Energy Radiation Protection Rulemaking Process GY Chiu*, Department of Energy
Abstract: This presentation is an overview of the rulemaking process from start to finish that the Department of Energy (DOE) undergoes when creating or modifying radiation protection regulations. The DOE must follow the procedures specified in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) [Public Law 79-404], which governs the way federal agencies create and establish regulations. The purpose of the APA is to (1) require agencies to keep the public informed of their organization, procedures and rules; (2) provide for public participation in the rulemaking process (3) establish uniform standards for the conduct of formal rulemaking and adjudication; and (4) define the scope of judicial review. The DOE is required to develop an economic analysis document which shows the costs and benefits of the radiation protection rule and an environmental assessment document to show the rule would not cause harm to the human environment. This rulemaking process also requires approval by the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of the General Counsel to ensure the process and procedures are followed as required by the APA, and that the rule does not violate other departmental rules. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is published in the Federal Register to allow for public participation in the process and then the DOE issues the final rule after considering comments and public input.
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TAM-B.4
09:00 NRC/HPS: A Relationship that Informs Radiation Protection CM Flannery*, US NRC
Abstract: With radiation protection as a common goal, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) works closely with the Health Physics Society (HPS) on matters related to radiological protection and regulatory issues. The NRC and HPS keep each other informed about their activities and exchange information on current topics that are of common interest. NRC is working to ensure that open communication continues in order to fulfill its safety and security mission and leverage the work of the HPS. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce some regulatory matters that are of interest to the HPS and describe the collaborative efforts between the NRC and HPS. Regulatory issues that are in progress or are under consideration will be discussed as well as the process by which NRC engages the HPS and other stakeholders on current topics. NRC values recommendations and informed opinions and often base its regulations and guidance, at least in part, on the thoughtful input and feedback of the HPS.
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09:20 BREAK
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TAM-B.5
09:50 The Stakeholder Process as Part of EPA Rulemaking MA Boyd, U.S. EPA
; RH Lee*, U.S. EPA; PV Egidi, U.S, EPA
Abstract: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to engaging with stakeholders early in the process of developing rules and guidance. One such avenue is through presentations at workshops and conferences such as the HPS annual meeting, where viewpoints on potential Agency actions can be gathered and discussed in an informal setting. Once a decision is made to begin working on a new rule or revise an existing one, EPA then follows a process known as the Action Development Plan (ADP). While informal stakeholder interactions often occur on a parallel track, the ADP outlines the formal process that EPA follows for various levels of rulemaking. Virtually all of them have a strong stakeholder component built into the process. This talk will describe the various stakeholder processes used in rulemaking and the variety of considerations that come into play, including recent Environmental Justice efforts to more meaningfully engage with stakeholders in underserved and disadvantaged communities. Finally, the roles and interactions of legislative authorization, Agency rulemaking, and legal adjudication will be explored.
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TAM-B.6
10:10 HPS Interaction With Congress DA Connolly*, HPS
Abstract: The legislative program of the Health Physics Society is designed to allow Society representatives the opportunity to interact with Senators, Representatives, their staffs and those of the Committees of each body on matters of mutual interest to the Society and the Congress relating to radiation safety. After a brief overview of the structure of the two chambers of the Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives, a description will be given as to the means and techniques that the Society utilizes to communicate with them. The presentation will focus on the semi-annual meetings of the Society’s leadership team on Capitol Hill, and the day-to-day activities of the Congressional Liaison in maintain open lines of communication with the Congress.Finally, a number of the present issue areas of importance to the Society will examined along with a prediction about the future of science policy in the Trump Administration and the new Congress.
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