S. 3274: FAIR Act of 2006
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S. 3274: FAIR Act of 2006
109th Congress · introduced 2006-05-26 · Law · Latest: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-594.
federal
Follow this bill, step by step
- Where it came from: introduced 2006-05-26 · official record
- Who proposed it: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · what a sponsor is
- What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
- Where it stands now: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 109-594. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
- If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.
Official title
FAIR Act of 2006
Plain summary
Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2006 or the FAIR Act of 2006 - Establishes in the Department of Labor the Office of Asbestos Disease Compensation (Office), to be headed by an Administrator who is responsible for processing claims for asbestos-related illnesses and paying compensation to eligible claimants. Declares that the purpose of such Office is to provide timely, fair compensation to claimants whose health has been adversely affected by exposure to asbestos, on a no-fault basis and in a nonadversarial manner. Stays any asbestos claim pending in a state or federal court on the date of enactment of this Act, unless the presentation of evidence has begun before a jury or judge, or a verdict, final order, or final judgment has been entered by a trial court. Sets forth: (1) procedures for the filing of claims, including those for multiple injuries and additional awards; and (2) allowable award amounts for asbestos disease, based upon the level of such disease and whether a claimant smokes or has smoked tobacco products. Establishes: (1) the Asbestos Insurers Commission (Commission) to determine the amount each insurer participant is required to pay into the Asbestos Injury Claims Resolution Fund; and (2) the Asbestos Injury Claims Resolution Fund to pay asbestos-related injury claims. Directs the Administrator to establish programs for individuals exposed to asbestos as well as for individuals at risk for developing asbestos-related medical conditions. Establishes the National Mesothelioma Research and Treatment Program for the detection, prevention, treatment, and cure of malignant mesothelioma. Vests in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction to review, under expedited consideration, any rules or regulations promulgated under this Act by the Administrator or the Commission. Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and establish penalties for fraud and false information in connection with Fund claims. Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to establish criminal penalties for willful violations of occupational standards for exposure to asbestos. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate proposed and final regulations to prohibit the manufacture, processing, or distribution in commerce of asbestos containing products. Requires disposal of asbestos containing products within three years after the enactment of this Act, with certain exemptions.
Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.
What a vote does
A “Yea” vote
If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.
A “Nay” vote
If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.
PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).
What does this mean? (plain words)
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The strongest published arguments
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Alternatives
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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes
Officials and money
Sponsor: Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · 5 cosponsors
Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.
Cosponsors on this site
No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.
Words on this page, explained (4)
- Exemption
- A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
- Jurisdiction
- The area or the matters a government or court has authority over.
- Resolution
- A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
- Rulemaking
- The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.
Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.
Sources
- Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
- Congress.gov
- Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-109s3274.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/109/s>
Record fed-us-cong109-s3274 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong109 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong109